While I wrote this essay/article for musicians, and specifically for piano players, the advice is applicable to any situation in which you are performing or speaking to a group of people. Whether your issue is a fear of public speaking or musical recital/concert performance anxiety, most of the below bullet points can be adapted to your particular situation. If you like this article, don't miss my other, tips for beginning pianists, piano composition, and these piano lesson myths!

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

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Speaking from my own experience, playing concerts LIVE for an audience…

• 1) … makes you a better musician
• 2) … keeps you “performance ready”
• 3) … stacks confidence
• 4) … teaches you what works
• 5) … proves mistakes don’t matter
• 6) … is 4-Dimensional
• 7) … leads to MORE concerts
• 8) … builds a following
• 9) … creates lasting connections
• 10) … gives you a boost in income
• 11) … provides opportunity for ministry

Breaking this down...

1) Playing concerts LIVE makes you a better musician.

Your practice time will be more focused and purposeful if you have the pressure of a live show to prepare for. The more live performances you do, the more frequent your "focused" practices become. Pretty soon, by default, all or most of your practice sessions have more meaning.

And… each new concert/recital/performance you do becomes a “live practice” for the next one.

Which means each subsequent audience will see you closer to the “peak” of your ability.

2) Playing concerts LIVE keeps you “performance ready.”

Ever find yourself surprised by a random moment in which you’re asked to play—and you feel sheepish, unconfident and unprepared?

Play live regularly and you’re ALWAYS ready to play—and entertain—in any situation.

3) Playing concerts LIVE stacks confidence.

The more you perform, the BETTER you play and...
The more applause/positive feedback you receive.
The more you BELIEVE your audience will appreciate you, and...
The more confidence you'll have.

You'll know "you've got this," even if you feel a little nervous when you first walk out on stage.

4) Playing concerts LIVE teaches you what works.

It doesn’t take many shows to learn which of your songs connect most with your audience.

You may discover your most “popular” songs—based on stream or sales numbers—differ from the songs that a live audience responds to.

A TIP for PERFORMING Musicians:
Set up your event ticketing so that early-bird ticket buyers have an option to request 2–3 songs.

You’ll learn ahead of time what your audience wants to hear.
This will keep you polished up on both your “hits” and your “B-side” songs.

5) Playing concerts LIVE proves mistakes don’t matter.

I used to be terrified of making mistakes, especially as a “solo” artist who felt “naked” on stage.

I discovered, to my delight, that audiences don’t care—and usually don’t notice—what I considered “mistakes.”

Proving…
Your audience only cares about your mistakes if you do.

If you ignore your flub and play through it with confidence, your audience will believe it was your intention... or simply won't notice.

So practice NOT caring about mistakes, playing through and recovering from them. And then BELIEVE it.

EXAMPLE: A Performance Disaster Gone Right:
Early in my career, I played my “worst show ever” at a university.
I felt defeated in the moment but played on as if I was not. I did not let my face betray my dismay!

After the show, a professor came up and said to me:
“In my 20 years here on staff, you are the most fluid, graceful player I have ever seen. 👀”

I learned that day that mistakes only matter to the audience if they matter to me.

6) Playing concerts LIVE is 4-Dimensional.

Music in…
2D = HEARING only
3D = SEEING a LIVE performance
4D = EXPERIENCING an artist who ENGAGES the audience with storytelling

4D concerts are the ones that make a lasting impact.
4D concerts are the ones audiences rave about.

Be 4D

7) Playing concerts LIVE leads to MORE concerts!

When you ENGAGE your audience, you create a unique, memorable EXPERIENCE that fans will want to relive and share.

Some in your audience will wonder, “How can I bring this to my house/party/fund-raiser/church/venue/place?”

Doors open.

8) Playing concerts LIVE builds a following.

At every performance, ask the audience...

• to follow/watch/stream and SHARE your music
• to sign up for your email list so you can keep them informed (and offer incentives like first-in-line VIP ticket purchase opportunities and exclusive subscriber discounts on merch.)
• to check out your merch table (because it's less expensive to purchase NOW than online.)
• to take-home printed materials with the above information and how and where they can signup/contact/book you.

9) Playing concerts LIVE creates lasting connections.

ENGAGE your audience, and within it, you’ll encounter many kindred spirits.

Devoted “fans” become lasting friends who encourage you, support you, and actively share your music.

They’ll connect you to multitudes of resources and opportunities.

10) Playing concerts LIVE gives you a boost in income.

Establish yourself as a sought-after artist, and you can string together multiple concerts to boost your bottom line.

Unlike royalties or online sales, which can be unreliable, you control when—and how often—you perform… and what you charge.

11) Playing concerts LIVE provides opportunity for ministry.

Speaking personally here, I am completely in my element when I use the gifts my creator has given me to bless others.

To…

• Encourage others in their faith and struggle
• Play fundraisers for charity and good causes
• Meet and encourage young players and musicians
• Pray for and WITH others…

All as the Holy Spirit leads.

When I do these things, I am walking in my calling and my purpose.

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There you go. I hope that was interesting-ish!

David Nevue
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