How to Stay Focused During Performance: Carnegie Hall Master Class with Emmanuel Pahud

World-renowned flutist Emmanuel Pahud reveals the method he uses to disengage from the stresses of performing and explores how mental strength and self-confidence can lead to higher-quality playing.
One of today's most celebrated and wide-ranging artists, Emmanuel Pahud led a two-hour master class devoted to sonatas for flute and piano and answered audience members' questions, focusing on important issues that every performing musician faces.
Visit www.carnegiehall.org/workshops for more information about Carnegie Hall's workshops and master classes.

[@andreasmazur4352]

SO TRUE He is definitely a great teacher artist and man!!

[@hilariousname6826]

He's talking about dealing with nervousness, if not fear, of course - but there is another kind of loss of focus that I rarely see addressed: that is, loss of focus occasioned by the least bit of stress - that is, the normal slightly-elevated stress level just about anyone, no matter how seasoned, feels when they step onto a stage. Personally, I can be feeling confident and relatively relaxed - but a minute into my playing, I am suddenly aware that my mind is all over the place, everywhere and anywhere except on my music, and realize I don't know where I am, then, in a kind of panic, struggle to regain control before the whole thing comes crashing down. (That's why I'm not a famous virtuouso, btw ... !) I guess I'll keep looking for the right advice ......

[@fxaarchable]

Same issue here.

[@hilariousname6826]

@@fxaarchable My sympathies. I've read that Adderol (sp?) is a useful drug for this sort of thing, but have never tried it.

[@fxaarchable]

A friend suggested gin. I am thinking it is more about mindful preparation and more practice.

[@kiaraeijo]

Thanks Emmanuel Pahud! I need this especially because I'm preparing for a recital!

[@Owlsbreath]

"Shit happens" love it ^_^

[@Drew8va]

Yes!!!

[@naecarol2166]

thank u

[@KB-uv7wj]

Reading music and creating it are two different things, matey.

[@ladyndtramp]

So, what word do other languages use instead of "performance"?

[@felipsis]

ladyndtramp Spanish: Interpretacion, Actuacion or Función

[@martinborgen]

Concert. Konsert. Koncert. Konzert.

[@byfrax2371]

ladyndtramp "auftritt" in german, which just expresses "going on stage"

[@CeciliaCkey]

Concerto

[@drZZhed]

Représentation, concert, aller sur scène, in French.

[@MohanKumar-wh7hv]

Mals

[@fxaarchable]

This is not really helpful. He says there are tools to learn this, what are tge tools please.