Personal preparedness yields excellent results for musicians in most circumstances. But there comes a time in a musician's life when things do not transpire on stage, even when someone practices diligently on their pieces.
I have listened to the same performers at different events for a significant period of time. I have noticed that one performs brilliantly in one event and not so much in another.
A musician might have been working hard to prepare for their concert or audition. They might have even believed they had done their best to prepare for that big event. And the day arrived, the moment of truth; they went on stage, and something did not feel right. The result was much different from what they had expected. They were unsatisfied with their performance and output. Thus, they walked away disappointed and wished they could turn back time.
At the onset, this may present itself as a negative experience. Still, in the overall scheme of things, it isn't. There may have been many unfavorable circumstances for the performance not to work out as they had hoped for that day. Their instrument might have had a problem early on, not enough time to warm up before playing, or they could not focus. While some might consider the unfortunate circumstances an excuse, they still happened. The critical aspect of these situations is remembering to look at the lessons learned. One must ask oneself what changes need to be made for subsequent concerts.
Was there enough time or a place to warm up?
Many performers' warm-up routines vary. For example, I have to warm up properly before a concert, while some other performers might play for five minutes and be good to go.
Also, musicians will have to deal with many different situations. There might not have been enough time to warm up. Before concerts and auditions, it is crucial to have a plan for one's warm-up routine.
Whether someone prepares at home or on-site, they must make amends for that and leave enough time. No one will know what a performer needs to be able to walk on stage ready to play. Thus, a player has to think ahead of time about that. If too much is happening where the concert or audition is being held, finding a corner and focusing is advisable.
Was there a problem with the instrument? Does the instrument need care?
Once, I had to play a competition in Texas, and I flew there from California. The weather was quite humid then; my hands felt dry, and I had this strange sensation on my fingertips. In addition, I was using an old instrument, which I learned then that it was also pretty sensitive to weather changes. I did the best I could, but I learned some valuable lessons.
Therefore, such experiences can help us determine the steps we must take when events and circumstances may not be in our favor.
Is the performer exercising healthy habits such as making sure that they have proper nutrition and sleep?
Performing takes energy; a musician needs to eat healthy food, get a good night's sleep, and be mentally prepared. If the player has too many events scheduled within the week, they must make the appropriate adjustments to meet their needs. They need to make sure to get some rest after a performance. If they have a concert one evening and an audition in the morning, they should prepare appropriately and get some rest, as they will need a great deal of energy for the following day.
Preparedness is about more than what one did in their practice room practicing. Asking all these questions and providing honest answers will help musicians make the appropriate adjustments for the following concert. It is equally crucial to move on and refrain from dwelling on one concert experience after one's reflections. Adequate rest, care for oneself, and a positive outlook will assist the musician in performing to their satisfaction in future performances.
How do you deal with preparations when you have an upcoming event? What questions do you ask yourself before and after a performance? Does addressing these types of questions help you in your performance routines? Feel free to comment below.
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