Overcoming stage fright | Linda Apple Monson | TEDxGeorgeMasonU
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. World Renowned Pianist Linda Apple Monson reveals her past difficulties with stage fright, and how she was able to overcome it. Her discussion is weaved together with some live performances.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist, was honored as the George Mason University 2012 Faculty Member of the Year. An active international concert artist, lecturer, and master class clinician, Dr. Monson has given solo piano recitals, lecture-recitals, and piano master classes throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. An advocate of new music, she has presented numerous solo piano world premieres. Recently named Distinguished Service Professor of Music at George Mason University, Dr. Monson is also a recipient of the George Mason University 2009 Teaching Excellence Award “for exemplary dedication to student learning and commitment to educational excellence.” Dr. Monson was selected for the Fulbright Senior Specialist Roster, in collaboration with the U.S. State Department and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. A frequent lecture-recitalist at international and national conferences of the College Music Society, Monson’s recent international performances include Nanjing, China; Dublin, Ireland; Oxford, England, Hannover, Germany; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Bangkok, Thailand; Madrid, Spain; and San Jose, Costa Rica.
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When she said he described her as the vehicle, and without her the music would stay on the page, I got goosebumps. It really puts it into perspective.
I'm watching this 2 hours before i'm going on stage performing solo piano songs. I've been frightened for weeks now, but after watching this I somehow feel a lot more confident and less frightened. Thank you so much
How did it go? :)
I understand what she felt. I play by ear and feel inadequate sometimes but am told I sound okay. My first performance in my church in front of about 150 people I was scared to death, but I remembered that my music was a gift from Christ and I had to share it...I played "You Raise Me Up." I got a lot of compliments. Now I feel quite comfortable playing in front of groups. What she said about being prepared is absolutely correct. She said, "focus on the music, not on yourself." Best advice.
The first time I played for church I was sweating almost,and I was thinking that everyone was going to judge me,but I remembered that He loves no matter what. I did my best,and went pretty well
Well, I don´t have stage fright, I have studio fright. When I know someone is recording, I can hardly play something, or improvise, or record. When they turn off recording, everything is fine and I play nicely.
Same. I would have a moment of terror first walking to the piano to perform in front of an audience but after a few minutes I'd loosen up, relax and it was very enjoyable. Recording? I was NEVER able to play right. I'd mess up whenever I knew I was being recorded.
Yes , and this is the greatest frustration of my life, panic when I know I´ve been recorded. In that moment I feel a sensation like being carried to a nazi concentration champ. Interesting I hadn´t it until the death of my father, and I became too perfectionist and hard with myself. Sometimes I get rid of these thoughts and can record, but after much effort. Sometimes it´s so hard I think I would faint and I forget even the first notes and chords, a total blackout of memory and dizzyness. Playing with so much fear never achieve a great interpretation, so the more fear, the worst music, so I fear to fear and this is terrible.
Right. I think the performance anxiety is that being recorded, even if just for own practise critique to improve, the feeling is that the recording is forever and will be judged. I thought nobody else was like this, glad it isn't just me. Fingers shake and the music gets all rearranged or forget entire parts, it's so frustrating
That´s exactly what happens. Perhaps the only solution would be record everything. One day it will be good. And treat the psychologic problem by self-confidence.
That's it - you found the solution. (I suffer from the same thing, but much less since I started recording myself more often.)
This video is posted 7 years ago and I'm watching this now.. 3 days before my audition and this reaaally helps me to actively change my negative selfdoubt into comforting words to myself. I've searched for soooo many video's for recognition and this was the only video I found hope in and faith. This woman is a gift from above and really deserves a standing ovation! Thank you for this speech and for sharing your wisdom and gift!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤❤❤❤❤
But stage fright is never thinking you're actually prepared, even if you are
this is exactly the point of stage fright. she completely missed it.
Stage fright is a sudden irrational rush of feelings that you're not good enough or you can mess up. I think there's no magic cure. Focus or deep breath or other techniques to "defeat" stage fright really is an exercise of controlling one's fright. To make this techniques work you have to put yourself in those situation again and again until you know what it is and how to contain it. It's cruel to yourself but at the meantime brave. Only after you experience this terror again and again you start to know how to tame it. Many people would have given up long before then.
I also think that a lot f our training also causes us to be perfectionists, so we feel the need to be “selfish” to make things “right” in our music. If not, we know we’re going to be critiqued by our music teachers for it, which can be very tough.
I don’t agree. According my experience, if there are some weaknesses in the preparation work : memorization work not fully completed, some small technical problems at some places ...then stage fright shall insinuate itself and ruin everything.
If preparation work is fully completed, if the score is fully known and all technical difficulties well worked, my experience as an amateur pianist is that stage fright is then much less deadly for my performance.
I just share here my modest experience.
See, thats where you re wrong. You need to overcome it.
I’m supposed to preform tomorrow and I’ve been having a breakdown for the last two hours and then I found this video and it gives me hope that I won’t sound like a mess tomorrow
Update: The performance actually went alright and the advice in this video really helped calm my nerves
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✨✨✨✨
I listen to this literally every time before performing, as I am doing right now. Thank you Linda, for being such a jewel of a human being.
I get that! I watched this video for the first time a little while back before one of the scariest performances of my life. It definitely helped me!
My stage fright was gone..after i went to a recital...and the pianist had lost her ability to see... But she was so brave to go up there and preform perfectly..she is in my heart..I'm so happy i was even able to meet her
Thank you Linda. I've suffered from performance anxiety all my life. It came to my attention in my 20's when I had a similar experience as you. It's funny cause soon after I became a music teacher and found there were so many students following me who struggled with performance anxiety. I love the analogy of the music being a gift to share that is presented in a beautiful package. I also love your take on the perfection of the delivery not the notes. Your words and music are a gift to be honored. I am grateful.
It's great to see how passionate she is about what she talks about
This is a debilitating problem for me and I respectfully appreciate this discussion. I remember working so hard all semester long on Chopin's Prelude, op. 28, no.15; I knew it like the back of my hand. As I lay my hands on the piano and started the piece escaped me as if I did no preparation. My leg trembled uncontrollably and my mind went blank. I stood and apologized after three attempts trying to start and walked away. My teachers implored me to no give up on my practice because they could see what I was capable of. One annoyance I discovered is preparing on one particular piano and having to perform on another; it has got to be the most annoying thing any performer has to endure.
Practicing on one piano and performing on another tripped me up so bad!
I’m sorry that happened to you!
Try to stay strong. Keep music in your life as long as you can. Once you give up, it's like a whole different sad piece of gray you're missing. Even if you just practice alone. If you don't use your gift you lose it. As a great man said "talent on loan from God. " I haven't picked up piano again because I hate keyboards and the stage fright of even touching one or playing with 1 person before me, brings me to tears. Don't give up.
Just fantastic, thank you, M'Am! I am a professional vocalist and beginning to advanced private Vocal instructor, ad well as beginning to intermediate private piano instructor, about to put on my third piano/vocal recital, and I really needed to hear this today! All glory goes to God!
I'm a magician and have been struggling with stage fright after not performing since before the covid lock downs. This is a powerful insight. I have the privilege to show people magic. There aren't many opportunities for people to see magic in person, I'm the lucky one who has been compelled to learn how to do it and share it with people who have never seen magic before.
Hello Linda, I was part of the Peabody Fellowship with Tom Fleece, Bryan Kerr, Laura (Piano), Greg (guitar), at Mount Vernon Place... You were always so kind to me, glad you are doing well. Thanks for the video! I'm getting back into performing after 20 years and need it. Thanks and God bless.
You got me in tears. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, this is just what i needed to hear. LOVE ♥
Very sound wisdom and advice. She did an amazing job, hopefully the audience received it. Thank you very much Tedx for sharing
This is very helpful for me personally. I know Dr. Monson, she is the director of music at our church. I have a judged piano festival coming up in about 1 month. I have two memorized solos and one memorized concerto.
I worked with this lady when I was organist at Springfield United Methodist in Virginia.
Part of being a piano teacher is encouraging the student to be prepared. Problem is many of my students do not care about what it means to be prepared to perform and are more concerned about being pushed by the parent to do something they do.not want to do. They feel trapped taking piano lessons. It's very difficult to teach students who have little motivation to learn. I'd be close to being unemployed if I dropped students like that. It's a fine art in itself being a piano teacher because you're working with mental issues these students have not just teaching how to play.
"TO GOD ALONE, ONLY BE THE GLORY" ♥️
Performed Chopin's C# Minor Nocturne. Was so scared my legs began to shake on the pedals. i ended up miss-interpreting the piece. so selfish.... thanks for the lecture.
that happened to me once...wearing high heels in a competition...heel was tapping because I was shaking so bad...and (of course) it was completely off rhythm. Ugh!!!
Emele Emeka I'm performing the same piece as you tommorrow... wish me luck!
Vanessa Ip How did it go?
Dr. Monson, is amazing. She is the director of music at our church.
Thank you very much for this video. For years, I've been frightened each time I'm going to play in front of an audience. I think this is a very beautiful approach to music performing.
Excellent advise Dr Monson. Thank you and ! Bravo!!
Totally agree with her views and I like to believe they are going to help me next week! Thank you Linda.
Still doesn't help. I can play guitar pieces perfectly by myself and even with one person i start shaking
My favorite video on this topic. Every time I perform or post a video online I watch this to remind myself what the whole purpose is. It’s not about me, it’s about the music!
One of the most meaningful and powerful speeches I have ever listened to. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Magnificent advice !!!
I preformed 2 weeks ago in a school concert and I forgot my piece half way through the preference. It was extremely embarrassing :(
I did that today at my dress rehersal >
Josh Wright in is videos said he picks out "lifesaver" places where he can restart from if he gets lost while playing. I don't remember exactly what words he used but it seemed like a good idea.
Oh! I love Josh Wright!
We are all human and subject to forgetting when we are nervous...remember everyone in the audience was rooting for you, not looking for mistakes.
劉 feels bad man
16:02 A deeply realized talk. One of the best on this topic. Thank you so much 🙏🏻💝
I did my senior recital knowing my parents were not coming to see me. I found out that day. I was so upset and went out and played the best I ever did in my life to that point. I was so sad in that moment and it still makes me sad to this day...
I’ve been dealing with crippling stage fright since I was 15. So much so that I gave up on singing after a bad recital. Nothing has ever changed my perception until I watched this. Thank you so much for sharing this
Me too. Once I hit puberty I think it got so much worse. Then I got bullied backstage before recitals etc. It's like my whole music trajectory died because of it. I can't even practice anymore.
She described what goes thru my head cuz of stage freight SO ACCURATELY
Taking the stage this weekend to dance after a long time and I'll let these words bring me ease. Feel the music and be the vessel. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your stage fright episode. A true learning experience for all who watch this. I felt your fright as you discussed the story. Thank you. .
I play a suitcase of analogue synths, I performed at a shellfish festival, some old geezer came up mid-track and exclaimed "This is not music! I played professional classical music for fifty years, and this is NOT music". So I turned up the LFO and added reverb to the Moog and made a deeply resonant fart sound, he went away, and I was satisfied with my reply.
A gift
WOW Prof. Linda Apple Monson is incredible playing! But also, her piano teacher told her your are the vehicle the music emanates from! That Transends us. Thank you Professor Linda for that gift of music. 👍😉🎹
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing your gift!
I suffer from stage fright but I reassure myself somewhat by realising that my immense talent will get me through.
Makes me wonder if a lot of our problems in life stem from being focused on ourselves more than we should be and on other people/issues not enough.
I needed this. I have a duet at the spring concert and a try out coming up. Thank you for your help❤️
This is the best advice I've ever come across. The insights are profound!
Thank you for sharing your unique sincere and meaningful attitude with which to address and become one with the music we are performing. Hal
Nice inspiration for my first Beethoven op 110 recital!
Wonderful talk thanks so so much! ❤️
As a performer for years I have crippling anxiety until I sat down one day in tears and asked myself what is it I'm so afraid of ? It wasnt the crowd...or anything like that, it was the thought of being judged, what if I mess up? The truth is, people judge, its what we do, doesnt really have anything to do with me, and if I mess up...well...it happens, sometimes musicians mess up it's no biggy
Thank you, this changed my life, beautiful gift 🎁🙏💗
I love it! I am truly grateful for this video, so inspiring and grounding, beautiful performance ❤️❤️❤️
I grew up terrified to play violin in front of others, I couldn’t even play a simple scale in front of the receptionist when I got a new bow and had to test it out. When I had to perform in front of my classmates at school, I froze, my fingers were numb and I could think at all. I have another performance in a month and I haven’t performed since that moment, but this time I will try take her advice, I will try update. 🤞
Thank You! Such an amazing speech and amazing advices and wonderful seeing of things, thank You for helping us to understand something very special and so important , thank You for sharing with us your incredible experience and performance !
this is so inspiring and helpful omg
This is great. Thanks
I feel like this will help me when I'm leading something for my youth group or choir :)
Fabulous advice and an astonishing gift to share. What a pleasure to listen to, I enjoyed the story and the music. Thank you.
Thought she was going to mention bananas. They really help calm one's jitters. But it's healthier to keep playing in front of people until it becomes second nature.
#Tangy Network r
This was perfection!
this helped so much as I'm preforming in a week a very simple song in front of my school I'm glad it wasn't a harder piece now that I think about it xD
If someone told me it was about the music and not me, I'd then be scared I was going to let the music down.
The first piece is Evocación from Suite Iberia , book 1
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)
The audio on this is very quiet, and without subtitles it was hard to hear, my computer was full volume btw
Same! I just commented this, as well. I noticed this on several of the TedX videos. I wonder why they are all so quiet?
So good! Your approach resonated with me - thank you!
this is rlly life changing
No one can explain how horrible my stage fright is...😞
Just 2 girls yes I agree! I went to vocal performance school to get through my stage fright. It was beyond excruciating at times. I'm grateful I spent that time and energy pushing through because singing for people gives so me so much joy! You will rise above that fear!
WHY ARE YOU SO SELFISH!! YOU THINK THIS IS ABOUT YOU???!!!
Shame you can't hear anything.
ouncy, shame for 'you' maybe.
I can hear it.
get better speakers. I did and now I can hear when the recording volume is down.
Luke Day Music Woop-tee-fukin do, it's possible to get understandable audio even on the crappest computer speakers these days and most sound engineers can manage it, if the video is hard to hear for lots of people the problem is the audio not their speakers.
Can't hear this. Bad audio
yesterday at my talent show i broke down at the keyboard halfway through the song from stage fright and stormed off the stage but today’s second showing so i’m hoping i’ll keep my stage fright under control (it’s my first time performing solo i’ve played in my school jazz band many times)
Max volume and I can hear what she is saying.
piece: Debussy , Arabsque #1
thanks for this ! this is very helpful as i am getting a band together and i have a busking licence and we want to go busking eventually and perform music live for everybody somewhere in auckland cheers :)
It is 2022 and I am performing in 13 days. I hope this talk will help me focus on the music not on me
Wow. I have my volume up all the way (both on the video and on the computer's main volume knob), and I can barely hear this at all. This has happened on several of the Tedx videos. I hope they work on improving this in the future. :/ I am having to put my ear an inch from the speaker to hear it.
Great talk thanks
Perhaps only my personal statement; however, "Everything that happens on stage is the result of Artistic License". If your best has been shared at the time it is as perfect as it can be and no apologies are necessary. Answers to any "critic" is "Thank you for coming and for sharing your thought(s). Perhaps we will meet again sometime".
16:06 Solo Deo Gloria
Thank you so very much. Can you tell me how to get a transcription of your speech? Loved so very much your performance and your choice of pieces.!
great vid but its volume is so low
Thank you, Dr. Monson. This has helped me a great deal! In addition to your most helpful talk, I wish to complement you on your lovely playing. The last piece that you played (I'm certain it is French)... what is the name of that piece? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thank you!
Its Claude Debussy, Arabesque No.1
I’m so terrified because I have to perform with my band in front of my entire school and our parents and other people who have graduated from my school. I have the piccolo solo in Stars and Stripes Forever, it’s a very long solo and is very complicated. I’m absolutely so terrified to perform and could use some advice, aaah!
When performing, if I make noticeable mistakes, I slump into self-loathing and shame….. I have come a long way…… My. Stage freight was so debilitating, I couldn’t play in public……
I needed this, i have a concert in 4 hours. I’m first chair, out of only three cellos though XD Sigh... I’m so scared 😦
Amen.
Love the George Winston fragment at the end...
When does she talk about stage fright i need to take notes for online class
I guess whoever did the sound on this has never heard of an equaliser or figured out how to use a level control.
haha the way she talks reminds me of my year 9 piano teacher
but without the Australian accent
Too soft to hear what she says....😒
Monique Houdijk, BS I hear her clearly.
BS? I don't know about that.... the video is obviously very low on the audio end.. depends on where/how you're listening i guess but in any circumstance this is obvious, so calling BS is BS
no, she's right
yeah sorry about that, you're right its different on different systems
I suppose mine has good treble, didn't mean to cause offence
No problem, sorry for the cursing, just venting online.
IDK if it's my system, but the sound on this is very low
Is it weird that im never afraid to perform and speak in public?
yes
What was the last piece she played?
Nicholas Browdues it's Claude Debussy Arabesque No.1
do you guys know that your thought about worries actually is not like experience or fact. and it is same with fear about spider things. if we want to overcome this stage fright then we need to think that we don't have to worry because that is so different what is happening. (thinking not always same with real)
Typo, this was at the I can't hear "U".
couldnt hear anything
Julio Esteban 😂😂 all the Suite Life of Zach and Cody fans had a moment here, trust!
Het sneeuwt
I’m just getting ready for the weekend to go home I am home from school now so if I have a good day
I can perform perfectly if someone was doing it with me.
Nice story but how does this help in any way shape or form with overcoming stage fright???
you are not listening, its about your mindset
4:29 i'd say vessel but whatever i guess
I bet she has many cats with names like, Coda, Dolce, Allegro etc.