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how do you play the flute when you're nervous and in front of lots of people? I have this flute solo in our freakin band and it's long notes, so it's hard to keep my breath steady and it's not a long solo, but I don't like playing in front of people and I'm 1st flute so I have to play it! I want to, but I can't play in front of people. If it were a fast jig it would be fine, but I can't keep my breath calm for those whole/half notes. I just turn into a nervous wreck, even when we're just practicing in band. any advice?

Just call it vibrato.

well, good idea.

Just keep getting out there in front of people, each time it gets easier and easier, and eventually, you'll notice one day that you're not nervous...

Also, what's the worst thing that could happen? Joanie Madden comes up to you at the intermission and says "What's your problem holding those long notes steady?". Really, keep some context about the whole situation and realize that if the people are enjoying the music they aren't going to remember some wavering half notes.

Another performance tip... start good, end good, that's what people remember. Unless you're playing for a hardcore trad group or at a workshop, generally the general public doesn't know a jig from a hornpipe from a reel, much less the particular twists and turns of a specific tune. That is not to excuse sloppy playing, but to realize that you hold yourself to much higher standards than 99%+ of your audience will. Just because you might have reservations about your playing, most often your audience will very much enjoy what they heard. That's all that really matters in the context of most public performances...

Do the best you can, do better next time, and better the time after that, that's the way to do it...

Cheers,

Michael
http://www.michaeleskin.com


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: eskin on 2002-03-12 15:45 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: eskin on 2002-03-12 15:46 ]</font>

But what I'm wondering is if you're on your last note and it's supposed to be a long note and you're running out of breath, how do you keep the note steady until you're out of breath?

I'd recommend practicing the tune/piece and finding a spot right toward the end to take a breath. Sort of a watering hole for your lungs. You'll want to pick a place that sounds good (i.e. a place that keeps the tune moving...maybe even punctuating it a bit to add some oompht).

The other thing to remember, Gemm, is that only you (and the conductor) have the music in front of you. Practice to be able to hold that note, but if you can't hold the last note at the time of the performance than cut it short before it sounds poor. Make it look and sound like it was intended. Or, take a nice breath before it and just delay your attack for a 1/2 beat. If it is a solo, you probably have some lea-way. Also, talk to your conductor - he may be able to write out a slightly different version that would fulfill the intent but make it easier for you.

I've had people come up to me and thank me for my beautiful playing even as I was beating my head against a wall for my mistakes. Were they just being kind? Maybe, but they were being kind and you'll find that your audience will probably respond similarly.

Erik

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2002-03-13 01:08 ]</font>

Erik makes a great point: Most of the people in the audience don't have a clue to what you're doing. Less so to how you're doing it.
So ifyou take the attitude of "lookie what I can do!" you'll have some fun with it. Hey, just blowing into the flute and producing any discernable tone -- let alone a tune that people will tap their foot to -- is mind-boggling enough for them.
So mistakes to them often sound like everything else -- music.
They just know it's pretty.
If you fret, they'll see the look on your face of panic and wonder "okay, so why didn't she go to the bathroom BEFORE the performance?"
As you hold your note....try leaning backward as you lose air. The audience will think what you're doing is REALLY REALLY HARD to do and they'll appreciate it all the more (even though you'll know that's hardly the case).
Try it. You'll be amused at the results.

ok, thank you all for the advice, I really appreciate it. It's just a bit of pressure when the other flute girls are glaring at me.

glare back