Has there ever been a thread about how to overcome nerves...relaxing and enjoying your performance...I'm not sure how exactly to express what I mean. Maybe focusing and forgetting the crowd? I could really use some help on performing to the best of my abilities--I also compete in Country Western. I do routines that I'm comfortable and familiar with so it's not a problem with that. My teacher is great and I'm very comfortable with him, and trust him to "take care of me " out there! But for some reason when I get in front of an audience I stiffen up. And I do enjoy the performing and interacting with the crowd. Just wish I could do better!
Performance strategies
- Thread starter SuzieQ
- Start date
dTas
New Member
do you perform to music that you select? or to music selected by the competition? one thing that i try to do is get into the music and let my emotions flow from there. i try to lose myself in the dance and the music and not worry about the people around me...
" dance like nobody's watching."
focus on your partner and imagine yourself carefree and uninhibited. it's all mental and imagination.
" dance like nobody's watching."
focus on your partner and imagine yourself carefree and uninhibited. it's all mental and imagination.
Hi SuzieQ.
Just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I'm swamped today, but I'll come back and post some thoughts tonight. I remember seeing a couple online articles that got right to the point you're asking about.
So, when I get in this evening, I'll reply fully.
Great topic.
Just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I'm swamped today, but I'll come back and post some thoughts tonight. I remember seeing a couple online articles that got right to the point you're asking about.
So, when I get in this evening, I'll reply fully.
Great topic.
Thanks so much for replying! In answer to your question--when we compete the music is chosen by the event and we don't know what it is until right before we compete. Last night I got the opportunity to perform in a show at the performing arts school that our teacher is associated with (the show was all kids otherwise and most of the audience was "non-dancing" parents and family.) We danced to a song that we plan to use for a "pro-am spotlight" so we have practiced with it a few times, with the same routine we have been using for competition (Nightclub 2-step.) This was on short notice, but that is not an excuse. I hope to be able to do it again next week, and sure would like to do better!
I will look foward to more replies later!
I will look foward to more replies later!
DanceDivaM
New Member
About three years ago, one of my coaches told me his partner used to drink half a glass of white wine before they went out on the floor. I don't think he was necessarily "suggesting" it, but telling me what she used to do in a way to suggest without suggesting. I used the idea a couple of times and it took the edge off slightly.
Besides that, I think experience and repitition are your best bets. You always want a hint of nervousness to be there in order to keep yourself in check but the more you get in front of people, the more at home you'll feel in front of them.
I used the idea a couple of times and it took the edge off slightly.Besides that, I think experience and repitition are your best bets. You always want a hint of nervousness to be there in order to keep yourself in check but the more you get in front of people, the more at home you'll feel in front of them.
sunderi
New Member
I know of two things that make a big difference.
1. Know your material. The more comfortable you are with it, inside & out, backwards & forwards (not literally) the more you can focus on enjoying the experience and not stressing about the routine. It's also important to "practice through mistakes". I think a common mistake teachers/coaches make is to stop their students every time a mistake is made. This is helpful in learning the correct sequence of the material, but it makes the student fairly petrified about what will happen if a mistake is made -- you obviously aren't going to stop & start over right there on the floor, so what will happen? By working through mistakes in practice, the student can have a good idea of what WILL happen WHEN a mistake is made. I think having the confidence to know that you can handle WHATEVER happens is really important.
2. Be zen.
Before you go on, accept the fact that you are as prepared as you're going to get, and it's going to go as well as possible under the circumstances. Accept that it won't be perfect (perfection is elusive!) but that you've done everything you can to make it be as perfect as possible. Then let go. Don't fret over perfection -- work to do as well as you can on that day, at that moment. It's all you can ask of yourself and your partner. Stuff happens. Mistakes are made. We will all live to dance another day. 
1. Know your material. The more comfortable you are with it, inside & out, backwards & forwards (not literally) the more you can focus on enjoying the experience and not stressing about the routine. It's also important to "practice through mistakes". I think a common mistake teachers/coaches make is to stop their students every time a mistake is made. This is helpful in learning the correct sequence of the material, but it makes the student fairly petrified about what will happen if a mistake is made -- you obviously aren't going to stop & start over right there on the floor, so what will happen? By working through mistakes in practice, the student can have a good idea of what WILL happen WHEN a mistake is made. I think having the confidence to know that you can handle WHATEVER happens is really important.
2. Be zen.
Before you go on, accept the fact that you are as prepared as you're going to get, and it's going to go as well as possible under the circumstances. Accept that it won't be perfect (perfection is elusive!) but that you've done everything you can to make it be as perfect as possible. Then let go. Don't fret over perfection -- work to do as well as you can on that day, at that moment. It's all you can ask of yourself and your partner. Stuff happens. Mistakes are made. We will all live to dance another day. sunderi said:2. Be zen.
Beautiful philosophy, sunderi.
Sagitta
Well-Known Member
True Gumby. No alcohol for me you AAA members!! :wink: It is a state of mind. Figure out what you need to get there and be there.
I find that if I can get into the right state of mind about having fun and fooling around I do wonderfully and I get raves with people asking me if I am hispanic etc. If I don't get anything. This is usually from audiences who don't see or do much Latin as that is where we have been performing rueda, but I'm sure you get the point.
It is a state of mind. Figure out what you need to get there and be there. I find that if I can get into the right state of mind about having fun and fooling around I do wonderfully and I get raves with people asking me if I am hispanic etc. If I don't get anything. This is usually from audiences who don't see or do much Latin as that is where we have been performing rueda, but I'm sure you get the point.
dancin_feet
New Member
My first performance this year, I was really nervous and wanting to do well. I knew the routine and I trusted my instructor, but still I had shaking legs as I walked out onto the floor. Something I have noticed from a personal perspective is that when I am nervous I tend to zone out, blankly stare, and not see or hear anyone or anything.
My second one I felt more relaxed partially because I had done it before but more I think that I didn't feel like it had to be perfect. I still didn't see or hear the crowd, but I was more connected with my instructor, so we could interact a bit. That's the thing about performing I think if you want to beat the nerves. Go out and have fun! It doesn't matter if it's not perfect, it's the best you can do on the day. If it's not good enough, so beit, there is always another opportunity.
I can't wait for my next one next year. Hopefully I'll be able to relax just that little bit more and actually interact with the crowd.
As far as techniques to help you relax, I usually find surrounding myself with people helps a lot. I'm not sitting there thinking about it and getting all worked up. I'm out talking, dancing, having fun, and when my name is called to go and get ready, I'm happy and balanced. Still have to work on the waiting behind closed doors just before you go on, but ...... :lol:
My second one I felt more relaxed partially because I had done it before but more I think that I didn't feel like it had to be perfect. I still didn't see or hear the crowd, but I was more connected with my instructor, so we could interact a bit. That's the thing about performing I think if you want to beat the nerves. Go out and have fun! It doesn't matter if it's not perfect, it's the best you can do on the day. If it's not good enough, so beit, there is always another opportunity.
I can't wait for my next one next year. Hopefully I'll be able to relax just that little bit more and actually interact with the crowd.
As far as techniques to help you relax, I usually find surrounding myself with people helps a lot. I'm not sitting there thinking about it and getting all worked up. I'm out talking, dancing, having fun, and when my name is called to go and get ready, I'm happy and balanced. Still have to work on the waiting behind closed doors just before you go on, but ...... :lol:
At the studio where I take lessons, the performances are usually given on a Friday and a Saturday night of the same weekend. Each time I have done a "showcase", the first night of the show I've been far more nervous then the second.
D_f is correct regarding things not needing to be perfect. The crowd generally won't pick up the minor errors that almost always occur. And when they see something they like they will respond very positively.
My focus stays on the music and the dancing. I hear the crowd, but I don't see them. If I'm letting my feelings flow from the music, and I have prepared to the best of my ability, things turn out ok.
The same principles I use for competitions work for the performances, too. I try to arrive early to give myself plenty of time to orientate myself, I warm up well to get my body functioning appropriately for atheltic activity, and I keep myself relaxed by focusing on having fun.
When D_f says she is "happy and balanced", I'd say anything you can do to put yourself in the mood she describes will help. The worst part for me is while I'm waiting to start. But once I'm moving the fear/nervousness that occurs disappears!
D_f is correct regarding things not needing to be perfect. The crowd generally won't pick up the minor errors that almost always occur. And when they see something they like they will respond very positively.
My focus stays on the music and the dancing. I hear the crowd, but I don't see them. If I'm letting my feelings flow from the music, and I have prepared to the best of my ability, things turn out ok.
The same principles I use for competitions work for the performances, too. I try to arrive early to give myself plenty of time to orientate myself, I warm up well to get my body functioning appropriately for atheltic activity, and I keep myself relaxed by focusing on having fun.
When D_f says she is "happy and balanced", I'd say anything you can do to put yourself in the mood she describes will help. The worst part for me is while I'm waiting to start. But once I'm moving the fear/nervousness that occurs disappears!
Thanks for all of the helpful replies!
I agree with all of your thoughts--relaxing and having fun, not expecting perfection, etc. I should be able to do that, especially in front of a crowd of non-dancers! And doing more performances/competitions is part of my strategy to do better at competitions. Last year I was only able to do 2 comps, about 6 months apart, and 1 show at the studio.
I'm hoping to perform again this week, so will try to do better!
I agree with all of your thoughts--relaxing and having fun, not expecting perfection, etc. I should be able to do that, especially in front of a crowd of non-dancers! And doing more performances/competitions is part of my strategy to do better at competitions. Last year I was only able to do 2 comps, about 6 months apart, and 1 show at the studio.
I'm hoping to perform again this week, so will try to do better!