How to Prepare for a Performance

     As a musician, we will inevitably experience multiple performances on different occasions. These performances are meant to be the moments that your hard work, time, and focus all come to fruition. The moments that you shine your brightest and let your soul freely express itself! But preparation is the key to a successful performance. If not done correctly, you are more prone to making a mistake in the live performance and letting the nerves get the best of you. Then, you may regret not being more careful in the time you took to practice in the first place. I can't give you all the answers, but I do know that the routine that I have developed has worked for me. Anxiety and nerves will always be a factor leading up to the big moment, but to make it all a little less stressful and increase your confidence when the time does come, follow this simple blueprint to successfully prepare for any given performance.

1. Organize

     This is the first step in your preparation. You must make sure that you have all the necessary materials you will use each day you practice leading up to the performance. These generally include: the selected transcriptions of the music being performed, an outline of rehearsal letters and corresponding measure numbers, highlighted dynamic cues, visual setup, your instrument, and a metronome! These are all necessary so you can practice the same way, all the time, as well as always having the right tools to your disposal. 

2. Form a Rehearsal Strategy

     To make the most out of every minute in your rehearsals, you will want to formulate a practice schedule that you can realistically stick with. Every performance is different, so it is helpful to have a visual representation of what you are going to do over the designated time period. It also helps set the foundation to achieve the goals that you have determinedly set for yourself

3. Practice in Front of the Mirrors

  

     During each of your rehearsals, make sure you set aside some time to practice in front of the mirror. This allows you to see how you are visually portraying yourself. The way you express yourself is equally important to what you are playing and also gives you reinforcement for the performance. 

4. Schedule Multiple Practice Performances 

     Before ever taking the stage, it is always helpful to have set a few rehearsals that are dedicated to performing for a group of people as if it was the real deal. Top to bottom, all the way through. No second takes either. Schedule these practice performances in equal time intervals leading up to the performance so you can receive feedback from your audience and mentors and then make the necessary adjustments. 

5. Visualize Your Performance at Perfection

     You have to see yourself succeed in order to believe you actually will. Every night before you go to bed in the days leading up to the performance, execute a "mental run-through" of the entire performance. Visualize exactly how you want it to happen, in the exact order it happens. Hear the sounds in your head that you want to make. These mental run-throughs enable you to put yourself in the moment. This is a process of subconsciously preparing yourself for that moment when it comes so you can focus your nerves in an advantageous manner.  

6. Eat Healthy and Hydrate 

     It is very important to give your body the proper nutrients in the hours leading up to the performance. Eating healthy and hydrating your body will allow for stronger brain activity, and enable you to focus in a superior fashion. There is nothing worse than taking the stage, getting midway through the performance, and fainting or getting sick just because you ate too much junk food the night before. When you get in front of the audience, anxiety and stress will want to take over. By eating healthy meals and consistently drinking water you can avoid unpredictable bodily reactions. 

7. Pre-Show Ritual

     Before the actual show, take a second to do something for yourself. Put yourself in a peaceful place, away from the crowd, the lights, and the pressure. It may be hard, but it truly does help. In order to do so, consider saying a prayer, or singing through your music, or ripping through a handshake you made with your best friend. Whatever it may be, come up with a pre-show ritual that will put you in the right state of mind, right before you walk on stage. This will help channel everything you are feeling and give you a sense of added confidence because you are now focused and hyped to perform what you worked so hard on.

8. Believe in yourself

     If you have successfully completed each of these steps, you are ready. There is nothing left to do. You put in the hours, you already practiced your performance all the way through (several times). your body feels good, and your in the right state-of-mind... Don't overthink this. That is the WORST thing you could do. Just believe in yourself. Believe that you did everything in your power to prepare for this moment, because you did. Knowing you did your best always gives you a surge of strength that you don't normally experience unless you put your heart and soul into something. Well, if you made it this far...all you need to do now is trust your mind and body, and soak up every moment you are rocking on stage.  

     As you can see, there is a lot that goes into a performance. If you want to do this right, it takes commitment, it takes sacrifice, it takes courage. These are things not everyone is prepared to summon. Then again, this is what music does to you. It pushes you beyond your threshold and forces you to think in ways you never dreamed possible. And when you finally do take the stage, and you know you have done everything you could...the feeling you will endure is magical. The lights will beam down like a soft, gentle beam of hope. The crowd engages with you on a truly intimate level. The music consumes your mind, and your body begins react uncontrollably. 

This...This is what it feels like to express your self.



For help with mental preparation with regards to your drumming, refer to the following link...

• http://www.snarescience.com/exercises/mental.php

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