If you want to play the piano…in front of others. Or in other words LIVE!…You will want to read this email.
From Charlie:
“Hi Tim, just want to say I’ve been really working this and have gone through some peaks and valleys but the amount of progress is so awesome! I’m going to make my NY debut in a couple months…small little place in Staten Island but I’m very excited and nervous. I will let the nerves be for then not now. I’ve sung in public plenty but this will definitely be a first. Any advice for the first timer?? Thanks, Charlie”
A couple years ago I decided to run a marathon.
Dum, da dum, dumb… considering I don’t even like running.
But alas, for some reason, I thought it would be a great “mental” and “physical” challenge. And I was right.
But what I learned something from the training that would benefit me for the rest of my life. And I believe it will benefit you as well.
You see…
There’s this thing in running called “THE WALL”
It’s where your body tells you it’s done. Your mind starts playing tricks on you and convincing you that this was the worst idea ever. And regardless of whether or not it was the worst idea ever.. the WALL is not actually the problem.
Here is the problem.
Trying to out train the wall so that it never happens. That is virtually impossible.
When you take this approach you are devastated when you hit the wall and emotionally you are done. And when you are emotionally done, you physical are finished as well. They go hand in hand.
Now the successful runner looks at the WALL differently. They plan for it. Expect it. And and get this… even welcome it.
Why? Because they know it’s going to happen regardless of how much they wish it didn’t.
Playing the piano live is really no different and a lot of the same lessons apply.
When you play at home you are relaxed.
Not nervous.
Not uncomfortable.
Everything works.
But guess what?
That all changes when you sit down for the first time in front of others. Especially when it’s in a “live setting” like a coffee shop or something.
Weird things start to happen that never happened before. Like:
1. Your hands start shaking
2. You forget how to start
3. You voice is jittery and cracking
4. You start to question what the heck your are doing there
5. You start to play fast to get it over with
6. You think everybody feels sorry for you
… and on and on.
But guess what?
The person who understands and plans for this gets through it much better than the one who hopes it never happens.
I assure you it will happen.
There is no doubt about it.
So how do you avoid it?
You don’t.
You expect it, visualize before hand these uncomfortable feelings and welcome them as part of your growth. Visualize the triumphant feelings of getting through it knowing each time it gets better.
Eventually you won’t be nervous anymore.
Eventually you will be nervous because the stage gets bigger and bigger.
Even if that means you are comfortable playing in front of one person, then somebody else comes along and wants to hear you play. That’s a bigger stage.
Peaks and valleys.
That’s life.
But when you are standing on a peak, looking down at the valley… you realize all the growth came from that journey. You really don’t learn anything at the top of the mountain. There you just get a good look at the next peak in the distance that needs to be climb.
You need a new mountain to climb and have always wanted to play piano?
Let me be your guide.
All you have to do is sign up here:
