Need urgent tips to relax for a violin recital!?

Question

I have a violin recital in two weeks. I have no problem at all while playing in front of my professors, but as soon as I have to start playing in front of strange people, my arms start to shake and my legs too!!! I try to breathe and relax, and to think only positive thoughts, but that shaking drives me crazy!!! help me please!!!! :o)))))

Answer 1

If you are scared, acknowledge your fright. Denying your emotion causes stress, where as respecting yourself and knowing you are scared and knowing it is OK to feel this way is all about loving yourself, therefore becoming your strongest ally. Then it becomes quite a bit easier to breathe deeply. Also it helps me if I get totally into the music, with passion. Listen to some violin music you adore with a personal player just before going on stage, stay focused on the passion you felt while listening.

Answer 2

i know the feeling. i have a problem with sweaty hands; make sure you wipe your hands.

for recitals, i always look into the light and let it blind me. then i wouldn't be able to see the audience.

as for the shaking, tire your legs out a bit by running in place or something. stretching might help as it loosens the muscles

Answer 3

Go to your happy place. Nah, just kidding. Stare at one thing and nothing else. A spot on the wall, or music...

Answer 4

i've been in quite a few plays so i know what you're talking about, what i normally do is just pretend it is rehearsal that way i don't mess up, i usually tend to think that the people in the crowd are just my classmates the whole picturing people naked thing never worked for me. oh yeah another trick that might work is focusing on a brick in the wall or something like that above the crowd, so that way you're looking at the crowd without actually looking at the crowd, let me know how things work out for you

Answer 5

HI GM.  Believe me,  I feel your problem.    I had one flute student who absolutely would go jello at the mear  thought of playing in front of an audience.   You mentioned that you did the breathing exercises,  but how long have you done them?  What works for many people is doing the breathing relaxation exercises...   but they will not work if you just do them immediately before the performance.   You have to implement them in your daily life for them to work for you in a stressful, performance or competitive situation.     Start today.   Find a quiet, peaceful and undisturbed place in your home and take at least (and I say "at least"  meaning more will be better) 10 minutes to sit still and just  breathe deeply.  Close your eyes and dim all lights.  Take in a breath slowly and deeply, silently counting each breath up to #4.  Think of counting... not the breathing or playing or what would be tasty for supper...  nothing but counting the deep and slow breaths.    You really need to do this every day and twice a day is better because you have to be use to doing it and feeling the calming effect that follows.  If you just try it minutes before you go onstage....   You will get no beneficial effects.    Also you can alternate the counting with saying something to yourself like " I am relaxed and calm"  but I would start with the counting first.    There is a scientific and physiological reason that these exercises work,  but I won't go into it here.  Just be postive and try them and good luck with your recital...   you will be great.  :))