The Art of Performance
I have spent so much of this past year learning who I am as a person outside of being a performer. I am understanding myself in a new way, I think we all are, and this is a healthy and vital process. But….
the mental Mastery of live performance
the deepest kind of zen
Here is the truth, I really miss performing. Not just because of the community. Not just because of the buzz and connection with the audience. I really miss the mental process of performing. In a strange way, performing is actually the deepest kind of yoga, of zen, or mental mastery I have every experienced. You might think I sound crazy right now, but keep reading, I will explain.
“You must practice instant forgiveness and 100% living in the moment. ”
The act of performing (not playing through in the practice room, but actually sharing something in front of people) requires complete presence. That’s it. You must practice instant forgiveness and 100% living in the moment. If you think for a minute about a mistake you made, dwell in it, let it draw your attention- you are sunk. That is the trick, and the truth no one talks about.
Every single musician out there makes mistakes. From Yo-Yo Ma, to Bono, to your five-year-old niece that just started playing Twinkle. Every single one of us. And even though we strive for it, there is no such thing as the perfect show. What really sets pros apart is their ability to instantly forgive themselves for any mistakes and adapt. They have mastered the zen art of moving on, and spend no time time dwelling on the mistake, or restarting to fix it. Just cover, keep smiling, and keep going
AND, this my friends, is a skill to be practiced.
Pros get so good at doing this that you don’t even notice how fast they adapt. They practice again and again and again.
I start with my students, no matter what age, practicing this art of performance. In my book there are two modes : Practice mode - Detail, slow, fix everything with a fine tooth comb. Performance mode - go, cover, don’t stop whatever happens.
If you never make yourself practice this, how will you cope when you are on stage and nerves hit, or something unexpected happens?
We are all gearing up again, and after many months without live performance, you may need to revisit this skill before you find yourself out on stage. Or you may be getting reading for some of your first shows ever, working through nerves, figuring out how to mentally move through a piece in front of an audience.
Here is one way you can practice right now:
Call up someone in your life you admire and who loves you no matter what. Say, “Hey, can I play this tune I have been working for you for five minutes?” I guarantee no one will turn down free live music or the chance to help you, plus what a gift to bring more music into the world. Now, turn into performance mode and practice performing for them! Give it your best shot and no matter what happens don’t stop. Say thanks. Hang up and make a list of three things you did well and two you can do better next time. Save this list and review it just before your next phone call. Done. How did that feel? The more you do this, the easier it will become.
Here is a free template you can use to keep track of this process.
As you practice this mindful art, you may find it starts to spill over into other areas of your life. This is what I miss the most. The constant reminder of forgiveness for mistakes, and the practice of being in the present moment.
Happy Fiddling,
Kiana