That Pre Performance Feeling? Let’s Talk About It.
Hey there.
So you’ve practiced. You know the piece. You play it perfectly at home. But the moment you think about playing in front of someone, maybe at a school event in Concord or a friend’s gathering in Walnut Creek, your stomach drops. Your hands feel like they don’t belong to you anymore.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. I’ve been there. Every musician I’ve ever met in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Clayton, even the really good ones, has felt it. That shaky, heart thumping, “what if I mess up?” feeling.
It doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It usually means you care. A lot.
So let’s talk real life, practical things you can do, tonight, tomorrow, before your next lesson, to help that nervous energy feel more like excitement and less like fear.
🎵 Start Small, Right Where You Are
You don’t have to book a big venue to get practice performing.
Play for your dog in Pinole.
Play for your mom in your El Cerrito living room.
Play one song for your best friend over FaceTime from Bay Point.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is getting used to the feeling of someone listening. That’s it.
🎹 The Two Minute Trick That Actually Works
Right before you play, try this. It sounds simple, but it changes everything.
Find a quiet spot backstage, in the hallway, even in the bathroom. Set a timer on your phone for two minutes.
For those two minutes, just breathe in slowly through your nose, and out slowly through your mouth. Don’t think about the music. Don’t think about the people. Just listen to your breath.
This isn’t fluffy advice. It tells your nervous system, “We’re okay. We’re just about to make music.” I’ve seen students in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek use this right before their lesson, and it’s a game changer.
🎸 Change the Story You Tell Yourself
This might be the most important part.
Right now, you might be thinking: “Don’t mess up. Don’t forget the middle part. What if they don’t like it?”
Try swapping that script. Even if you don’t fully believe it yet.
Try thinking:
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“I get to share this song.”
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“I know how this first part goes, and I can start there.”
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“I’m going to focus on telling the story of the music.”
Your brain believes what you tell it. Feed it something helpful.
🎤 The “Oops” Moment Plan
Let’s be real. You might hit a wrong note. Your mind might go blank for a second. It happens to everyone, from students in Clayton to pros in the Bay Area.
So have a plan. Practice what you’ll do.
If you make a mistake, keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t make a face. Just breathe and jump back in at the next measure you know. The audience in Martinez or Concord likely won’t even notice unless you stop.
Practice recovering, not just playing perfectly.
❤️ Remember Why You Started
Close your eyes for a second. Remember why you picked up the guitar in your Pittsburgh bedroom, or why you sat down at the piano in your El Cerrito home.
It wasn’t to be perfect. It was because you love how the music feels. That’s what you’re sharing. That’s the gift.
You’re not performing to be judged. You’re sharing something you love with people who want to hear it.
Ready to feel more confident in your music?
If you’re in Contra Costa County and want a teacher who gets it, who can walk with you through the notes and the nerves, we’re here.
Live chat with us 925-322-6555 or call 925-222-5027. Let’s talk about lessons in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, or right in your own home.
Let’s make music feel good, every step of the way.