Vocalist.org archive


From:  Karen Mercedes <dalila@R...>
Date:  Sun Apr 9, 2000  5:07 pm
Subject:  RE: [vocalist-temporary] Trembling legs when performing


On Sun, 9 Apr 2000, Jennifer wrote:
>
> I prefer to do this too. However, I'm in a competition next week where we
> have to be in the room when our class starts, but my method of dealing with
> the shakes and getting into character is to pace back and forth and go over
> the aria in my mind numerous times before going on, which won't be possible
> sitting in a room listening to the three people in front of me. Does anybody
> have any ideas on how to deal with this situation? Sitting without
> vocalizing or being able to concentrate on what I'm about to do (impossible
> while listening to other singers for me) usually results in a massive case
> of the shakes and difficulty breathing and getting into character. I'd much
> rather stay outside the room and wait to be called in. After I'm done I'd be
> happy to listen to everyone else :o).
>


I've done a lot of these kinds of performances and workshops, where I go
on once after a lot of other singers, and am expected to listen to them
carefully and critically (even take notes) before I sing.

Depending on the purpose of the workshop or performance, I handle this in
different ways.

If it's a vocal workshop, where full performance values are less the issue
and vocalism is the main focus, I keep this in mind - I keep in mind that
my main reason for performing is to show off my vocal technique and
musicianship, but not necessarily my interpretive ability. Thus, getting
into character isn't as important, and I'm able, curiously, to stave off
the nerves because I'm so intently concentrating on absolute perfection in
my technique and musicianship. It's not a very "giving" performance that
results, but it's a very focussed one.

If it's a situation where I really need to *perform* the aria or song, not
just *sing* it, then I fear the 2 singers who perform before I do just
don't get much of my attention, because to be able to perform, I *must* be
able to focus before going on myself. I do this by mentally "shutting
out" all but 10% or so of what's going on around me, and getting into
character, reviewing my music in my mind, etc. And from a purely physical
aspect, I also do "squared breathing" if I feel that little "panic"
sensation coming on: this entails inhaling on a very slow count of 4,
holding for a slow 4, exhaling for a very slow count of 4, then holding
"empty" on another slow count of 4. I begin squared breathing during the
aria/song before mine, and that, combined with my mental focus, tends to
minimise any preperformance jitters, though it's no guarantee that a
last-minute adrenalin surge when I get up to sing won't happen - but then
I use the old buttocks clench as a physical tool to combat the surge, and
if I'm truly in character, I am able to interpret the nerves as those of
the character, not as Karen's nerves, and this can help me channel that
nervous energy productively into my performance, instead of impeding it.

Karen
-----
Ich singe, wie der Vogel singt,
Der in den Zweigen wohnet;
Das Lied, das aus der Kehle dringt,
Ist Lohn, der reichlich lohnet.
-- J.W. von Goethe, WILHELM MEISTER

My NEIL SHICOFF Website:
http://www.radix.net/~dalila/shicoff/shicoff.html

My Website:
http://www.radix.net/~dalila/index.html


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