Dealing with Onstage Distractions
Tags: how to improve stage presence, music career guidance, music performance, performance anxiety, stage deportment, stage presence
“If things get rocky, stay positive and engaged,
and give your audience the best possible experience.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 189
Recall the last time that you were distracted during a performance: How did you cope?
Onstage distractions are bound to occur: doors will slam, thoughts will intrude, coperformers will miss entrances, sneezes will well up, nerves will make our limbs shake.
But whatever the distraction, with countermeasures at hand, we can stay focused and keep the music flowing.
Here’s a distraction-busting technique that I teach and rely on. All four parts are meant to be executed simultaneously:
- Breathe. Inhale deeply into the abdomen and exhale fully as you project confident body language.
- Release tension. Lengthen your spine, let your shoulders widen, free your legs, and renew your inner smile.
- Listen. Tune into your sound and that of any coperformers as you sculpt every phrase.
- Image ahead. Sense upcoming phrases with clarity and emotion.
To rehearse this technique, use it during practice sessions, rehearsals, and practice performances whenever your attention drifts.
You might also gather with colleagues in a performance-development group and take turns performing for each other while some of you play the roles of distracting audience members.
In time, you’ll be able to focus despite any distraction and keep yourself and your listeners transfixed by music.
What are some onstage distractions that you’ve experienced and how did you deal with them?
Related posts
Assessing Your Performance Skills
Becoming a Confident Performer
Mastering Performance Skills
Mental Imaging
Practicing Performance
© 2012 Gerald Klickstein
Photo © Tomas Hlavacek, licensed from Shutterstock.com
Sam said:
Mar 27, 12 at 12:50As always, great stuff Gerald. A tough subject for all musicians and these are great suggestions. There was a great NPR story years ago about a class at a high profile school (Julliard maybe) with a class based on getting over these distractions-students performed while the teacher would slam doors, talk, etc. Pretty interesting stuff!
Gerald Klickstein said:
Mar 27, 12 at 13:31Thanks, Sam! I believe you’re recalling workshops at Juilliard taught by Don Greene, a performance psychologist who works with musicians, athletes, and others. Its part of his ‘stress conditioning’ training.
GuitarChallenges said:
Apr 18, 12 at 17:34Distractions are my worst fear when playing in a live-situation – even though I haven’t had that many!
Would you say that it is something that simply goes away with time, or does it have to work actively, like some of the points you mentioned, to get rid of it?
Gerald Klickstein said:
Apr 18, 12 at 18:04I’d say that by actively focusing in practice, and through building performance skills, we can reliably focus in concert. Without cultivating such skills, I think it’s unlikely that musicians can expect to be secure on stage.
Andreas said:
Sep 11, 12 at 15:50The day you are able to let go of “the need of sounding good” you will be so relaxed that you have nothing to worry about when performing. Thats my experience.