Overcoming Nerves

Lesson 3/69 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Chromatic Harmonica Method

Overcoming Nerves

There are three essential elements in overcoming nervousness and turning it into a positive. The first of these is knowing your material well. This means thoroughly rehearsing all aspects of each song before you even consider performing them. If you are unsure of the key or which harp to use, or the notes or timing of either the melody or the accompaniment, it is not surprising that you would become nervous. The more certain you are of these things, the more you are free to concentrate on expressing the meaning and feeling of each song and making great music.

The second element is being comfortable with your equipment and your environment. Most public performances involve the use of microphones. Using a microphone is discussed in the following pages. When you are on stage, it is important to be comfortable using the microphone and to not be startled by hearing yourself through the PA system or foldback speakers. If possible, it is advisable to have a sound check before members of the public arrive. Most professional ensembles have a thorough sound check in which all the equipment is tested individually and together at least an hour (preferably more) before the show. This allows everybody to become comfortable with the sound of the room as well as the equipment. If you learn a bit about PA systems you can also communicate your requirements and preferences to the person operating the sound system.

The third element is trusting yourself. If you are considering playing in public, you are probably fairly confident that you are making a good sound when you play and you have probably received compliments from friends as well. In this case, you should be able to play equally well or better in public, particularly once an audience begins to respond. Your body instinctively knows every aspect of producing a good sound, so it is usually just a case of "letting go" and becoming part of the music. The more you can become the character in each song (like an actor) the more convincing your performance will be and the better you will be able to deliver it.

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Class Sessions

1- INTRODUCTION 2- More About Major Scales 3- Sharps (<span class="symbolA">#</span>) and Flats (<span class="symbolA">b</span>) 4- Playing the Chromatic Scale 5- Solving Reading Problems 6- More About Keys and Key Signatures 7- Transposing 8- More About Blues Scales 9- Understanding Intervals 10- Minor Keys and Scales 11- Notes on the Chromatic Harmonica 12- Relative Keys 13- Performing in Public 14- Interval Qualities 15- Playing Octaves 16- The Key Cycle 17- The Harmonic Minor Scale 18- Sharp Key Signatures 19- Enharmonic Notes 20- Learning a New Minor Key 21- Major Scale Pattern 22- Overcoming Nerves 23- The Chromatic Harmonica 24- The Chromatic Scale 25- The C Major Scale 26- Swinging Notes 27- Intervals 28- Breathing Indicators 29- The Key of E Minor 30- Interval Distances 31- Major Scales in all Keys 32- The Melodic Minor Scale 33- Minor Scales in all Keys 34- Flat Key Signatures 35- The Blues Scale 36- Holding the Chromatic Harmonica 37- Eye Contact 38- The G Major Scale 39- Range of the Chromatic Harmonica 40- Table of Minor Scales 41- Understanding Music 42- Stage Presence and Stage Craft 43- Identifying Intervals by Ear 44- Using the Slide 45- Key Signatures 46- Using the Key Cycle 47- Note Values 48- Understanding Note Values 49- Developing Your Own Style 50- The F Major Scale 51- Jam Along Progressions 52- Standard Music Notation 53- Learning the Notes on the Staff 54- The Metronome 55- Microphones 56- Developing Your Music Reading 57- Keeping Time 58- Microphones for Performing Live 59- Playing Songs 60- Amplification 61- Slurs 62- Overdrive 63- Cut Common Time 64- Approach to Practice 65- Reading Without Numbers 66- Listening 67- Transcribing 68- Recording Yourself 69- Learning More about Music

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Overcoming Nerves