Simulation Training

Who actually likes being under stressful circumstances!?

Anyone!?

Yep, I get it. Being under the pump is often uncomfortable and unenjoyable at the best of times! And even more so when there’s something riding on the performance you’re about to do, like in an audition, competition, or performing to people you care about and value their opinion.

Whilst you know that a huge pressure rush is coming with any concert or audition, the lead-up can easily be hijacked by fear, making you shrink back into your shell to avoid the anticipated challenge ahead. You start to skirt around the difficult preparation that you really need to succeed, and seek a more comfortable route.

“It will be fine if I’m super well prepared in the practice room” you tell yourself.
“If I think I’m just in the practice room when I’m on stage, everything will be alright.”
I’ll be good in the performance, I don’t feel the pressure that much…”

It’s only when you are on stage with the bright lights glaring in your face that you realise that your preparation could have been more thorough…oh crap, too late! 😱

So in preparation for performance, you need to make sure that each practice session includes elements of pressure to ensure that you perform your best on stage. Comfortably running through your repertoire in a controlled environment just doesn’t cut it. You have to push yourself and get comfortable with discomfort so that you can thrive when the pressure is really on.

So how can you do this in the practice room?

Simulation training!

This is when we aim to simulate the physical symptoms of nerves in order to become accustomed to the sensations, and learn how your body reacts under stress. Then when the same sensations come about during performance, you’re not surprised or overwhelmed by them, and can react in a much more beneficial way.

One of the best ways to do this is by doing some physical exercise right before you play. Star jumps, burpees, push-ups, wall sits, running on the spot…basically doing something to get your heart rate up, your muscles tingling, and get a bit of a sweat going. 🥵

Then play!

How did you go?

When I was studying overseas my teacher would instruct me to run up and down a flight of stairs before playing through a piece or an excerpt. I hated it to start with because it felt horrible. I lost all control of my playing, and it was a real struggle to get through the first few bars, let alone the whole piece! But after a few more goes I began to react a lot less to the feelings I was having. I could focus better, channel my energy into the music, and better manage my breathing. I was able to play much closer to what I could normally produce under controlled circumstances.

Then when I went on stage for the real deal I had a far better understanding of what I was up against. I knew it would feel different and uncomfortable, but it wasn’t anywhere near as big a shock as it had been in the past. Hurrah! 🤗

Now imagine if you could do this as part of your regular practice routine. How much better prepared would you be for performing? Whilst being uncomfortable, this is precisely what you need in order to perform your best, like it or not.

One thing to remember is that when you’re practicing under pressure you will naturally make quite a few more mistakes. You will probably feel unstable and off-balance, and you won’t play your best right away. But with continued daily simulation training, you will quickly become accustomed to these feelings and start to recognise them as normal reactions under stressful circumstances. The thumping heart beat, sweaty palms, and shortened breath will soon become companions throughout your performances, rather than foes that you are trying to avoid, suppress, or ignore. Embrace them, accept them, and keep your eye on the prize of making beautiful music along the way.

So get cracking and give me 20 star jumps before you play your next excerpt or piece!