Piano Diana Blog: 2019

How To Manage Musical Performance Anxiety

I wanted to follow up on an older post, Music Therapy and talk about Performance Anxiety.
I recently read that over 80% of us experience a bit of anxiety when we become the center of attention. So we know that some butterflies are a good thing before we perform. However, anxiety should not take over and debilitate the performer.

Over the years I have been made aware of students experiencing these feelings:

The anticipation of failure and fear of humiliation or exposure
Intense anxiety and, sometimes, panic attacks
Awareness that the fear is excessive
Avoidance of performance situations or enduring performances with intense distress
Impaired performance
Shyness, sensitivity to criticism, increased anxiety in situations other than performing and lowered self-esteem

I was reading a very informative article by Joann Kirchner elaborating on several basic techniques to alleviate mild performance anxiety. I'll touch upon a few of them.

Memory Stations
Video/Audio Tape
Realistic Expectations
Performance Rehearsals
Perform Frequently
Attend to Non-Musical Matters in Advance
Focus on the Present
Avoid Inner Dialogue
Replace Negative Thoughts
Visualization
Alexander technique
Autogenic Therapy
Beta-Blockers
Biofeedback
Deep Breathing
Eastern Disciplines
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Systematic Desensitization

I find that some of my students can memorize phrase structures and without looking at their sheet music can memorize 8-16 measures of music. Many find it challenging to memorize, so I never insist that students performing in recitals memorize their songs. I think the balance is not to be completely dependent on your chord charts but to be familiar with the song and play it comfortably in front of others.

My students love performing 2-3 times a year in front of an audience. They also perform for their family gatherings, also school talent shows. Their confidence level increases with familiarity. I highly recommend performing in comfortable shoes! Some of my younger girls couldn't control the damper pedal with ease wearing Uggs and boots. Their slurs were quite blurry sounding.

Focus on the present is the best advice any teacher can give to their students. I like to talk with them about staying within this imaginary bubble you've created. Others refer to it as "having a focused state of mind with a total absorption in an activity as being in a state of 'flow.'"

I'm a huge fan of not only seeing with your eyes but also with your ears as one performs. I hope you will put on a fresh new perspective when performing. Ruth Soukup said, "If all else fails, then 'Do It Scared!'"

There seems to be a popular book regarding performance anxiety you may want to check out, Performance Anxiety Strategies.

Blessings,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

2 More Adele Songs

If you do a Google search regarding popular Adele songs, here's a pretty good start!
You'll find some chord charts of her songs from previous posts of mine. Let's continue with more!

#1 Rolling In The Deep

#2 Someone Like You

#3 Set Fire To The Rain

#4 Skyfall

#5 Hello

#6 Rumor Has It

#7 Turning Tables

#8 Chasing Pavements

#9 When We Were Young

#10 Don't You Remember

Rumour Has It

Key of Dm
4/4 (With energy and soul)

Dsus Dm            Dsus Dm
She,     she ain't real, 
                Dsus       Dm              Dsus Dm
She ain't gonna be able to love you like I will,
Dsus Dm      Dsus Dm
She     is a stranger,
Dsus      Dm               Dsus        Dm
You and I have history, or don't you remember?
Dsus Dm               Dsus Dm
Sure,    she's got it all,
     D5
But, baby, is that really what you want?

Dm
Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds,
           Gm7
She made a fool out of you, and, boy, she's bringing you down,
              Bb                     Dm/A
She made your heart melt, but you're cold to the core,
    Gm7 
Now rumour has it she ain't got your love anymore,

Dsus   Dm      Dm       
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm             | drums | drums |
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)

D5  Dm               Dsus Dm
She      is half your age,
        Dsus            Dm                     Dsus Dm
But I'm guessing that's the reason that you've stayed,
Dsus Dm             Dsus       Dm
I heard you've been missing me,
            Dsus           Dm                        Dsus   Dm
You've been telling people things that you shouldn't be,
Dm (8ths)
Like when we creep out and she ain't around,
                      n/c
Haven't you heard the rumours?


     Dm
Yes, bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds,
           Gm7
You made a fool out of me, and, boy, you're bringing me down,
            Bb                  Dm/A
You made my heart melt, yet I'm cold to the core,
    Gm7 
But rumour has it I'm the one you're leaving her for,

Dsus   Dm      Dm              | Dm | Dm | Dm | Dm |
Rumour has it, ru---mour (x8)             rit.


(Much slower)
Dm  A+/C#          F     Gm              Dm
All------ of these words whispered in my ear,
       A+/C#        F      Gm      Dm
Tell a story that I cannot bear to hear,
                    Am            F    C/E       Dm
Just 'cause I said it don't me---an that I meant it,
G
People say crazy things,
                                      E7sus
Just 'cause I said it, don't mean that I meant it,

Just 'cause you heard it,

| 6/4 drums   |
  . . . . . .              
Dsus   Dm      Dm       
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm       
----           ru-mour
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x2)

Gm                                                    Dm7
Well, rumour has it he's the one I'm leaving you for. 


D/CD and D/FA  

Chord Breakdown

Dm = F/ADG
Dsus = D/ADG
Gm = GBbD/D
Gm7 = GDF/GBF
Bb = BbG/BbDF
A+/C# = C#/AC#F
C/E = C/CEG
F = F/CFA
Am = A/CEA
E7sus = EE/AD
G = G/GBD

Get the Piano/Vocal sheet music, Rumour Has It





Turning Tables


Key of Cm
4/4 (Moderate Ballad)

Buy Turning Tables


Cm7 Ab(add2) Fm9 Ab                                                        
                                                                             

                      
Cm7                        Ab(add2)                               
    Close enough to start a war
        Fm9                Ab 
All that I have is on the floor
Cm7                                   Ab(add2) 
    God only knows what we're fighting for
        Fm9                     Ab 
All that I say, you always say more



Ab                         Fm      Fm7 
I can't keep up with your turning tables
      Ab                   Bb 
Under your thumb, I can't breathe



  Cm7      Abmaj7       Eb             Fm7 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Abmaj7       Eb             Fm7 
No, I won't rescue you, to just desert me
         Cm7   Abmaj7  Ab         Eb/G       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables


Ab(add2) Fm9 Ab (repeat intro again)


Cm7                         Ab(add2) 
     Under haunted skies I see, oooh
Fm9                                      Ab 
      Where love is lost, your ghost is found
Cm7                           Ab(add2) 
     I braved a hundred storms to leave you
               Fm9                              Ab 
As hard as you try, no I will never be knocked down



Ab                         Fm      Fm7 
I can't keep up with your turning tables
      Ab                   Bb 
Under your thumb, I can't breathe



  Cm7      Ab       Eb             Fm 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Ab       Eb             Fm 
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
         Cm7   Ab           Eb       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables

Ab(add2)    Fm9  Ab
To turning tables
Cm7                  Ab(add2)
Under haunted skies I see, ooh
Fm9                              Ab
Where love is lost your ghost is found
Cm7                           Ab(add2)
I braved a hundred storms to leave you,
                         Fm9                    Ab
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down.


Cm7                       Abmaj7 
Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own saviour
Eb                           Fm 
When the thunder calls for me
Cm7                       Abmaj7 
Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own saviour
Eb                      Bb 
Standing on my own two feet



  Cm7      Abm7       Eb             Fm7 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Abm7       Eb             Fm7 
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
         Cm7   Abmaj7           Eb/G       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables


Ab Fm Ab Cm 
(repeat intro till fade)


Chord Breakdown


Fm7 = F/CEFA
Eb = Eb/BbEbG
Cm7 = C/CEBG
Abmaj7 = Ab/CEbBb)
Bb = Bb/BbDF

If you're interested in the Hal Leonard songbook I use, shop Adele 21 for 
Piano / Vocal / Guitar

Thankful for you!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Two Mary Blige Songs

As I was cleaning out my music library, I came across a very special book of sheet music I've had on hand for quite some time. I think I know which piano student will love it! Some cool chords here!

Take Me As I Am

Key of A
4/4 Time (Moderately slow)

She's been down and out
She's been wrote about
She's been talked about constantly
She's been up and down
She's been pushed around
But they held her down, NYC
She has no regrets
She accepts the past
All these things they
Helped make to make she

She's been lost and found

And she's still around

There's a reason for everything

Dmaj9

You know I've been holdin' on

Bm11
Tried to make me weak
But I still stay strong

F#m(add9)
Put my life all up in these songs
Just so you can feel me

Dmaj9
So you can get the real me

So take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)

Dmaj9 Bm11
Just take me as I am

F#m(add9)

Or have nothing at all (at all)

Now she's older now
Yes, she's wiser now
Can't disguise her now
She don't need
No one tellin' her
What to do and say
No one tellin' her
Who to be
She's on solid ground
She's been lost and found
Now she answers to G-O-D
And she's confident
This is not the end
Ask me how I know
'Cause she is me

You know I've been holdin' on
Try to make me weak
But I still stay strong
Put my life all up in these songs
Just so you can feel me
So you can get the real me

So take me as I am
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)
Just take me as I am
Or have nothing at all (at all)

Dmaj9

So it's all or nothing at all

Bm11
All or nothing at all

F#m(add9)
Don't you know I can only be me
(I can only be me, yeah)

Dmaj9

So it's all or nothing at all

Bm11
All or nothing at all

F#m(add9)
Don't you know I can only be me
(I can only be me, yeah)

Dmaj9 Bm11

So take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)

Bm11
Just take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (at all)

This is me!

Dmaj9 = D/EF#AC#

Bm11 = B/DF#AC#

F#m(add9) = D/C#EA and F#/C#G#B

BAGGAGE

Key of Dm
4/4 Relaxed

Dm9 Em7/A Dm9 Em7/A

Dm9 Em7/A
I know I do some things that make you so confused
Dm9 Em7/A One minute I'm so in love and the next I can't stand you
Dm9 Em7/A But if you may ask it's just the things that you do
Dm9 Em7/A that reminds me of all of the mess that I've been through Dm9

I got this baggage with me
Em7/A Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
Dm9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Dm9 Every time I hurt your feelings it's what someone's done to me
Em7/A I don't mean to hurt you
Dm9 Em7/A
Heartache and pain I just can't do it again
Dm9 Em7/A So I look for the worst and brace myself for the hurt Dm9 Em7/A
But nobody has ever treated me this way
Dm9 Em7/A Please be patient with me coz I want you to stay but I got all Dm9 This baggage with me
Em7/A Dm9 Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
Dm9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Dm9 Every time I hurt your feelings it's what someone's done to me I don't mean to hurt you [x2]

Fmaj7/G It's no way to be livin' my life

D7/F# But I can't get it out of my mind
Fmaj7 Em7 G/A You know I love you yes I do

Em7 C/Bb Bbmaj7 Dm7/G em7/A
So don't, don't go and get it confused
Dm9 Em7/A
Don't be confused cause boy you know I really do love you
Dm9 Em7/A Want you to stay with me I never meant to hurt you, baby,
Dm9 Em7/A It won't be easy getting rid of all this baggage baby Dm9
I got all of this baggage with me
Em7/A Dm9 Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
DM9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Every time I hurt your feelings
DM9 It's what someone's done to me
Em7/A Dm9 I don't mean to hurt you [x2]