WATER: a miracle boost for performers

Under the spotlight, we challenge our systems in many ways. Multiple signals buzz from brain to body. Our bodies are made up of about 70% water. This is an excellent conductor of electrical energy, necessary to efficiently pass messages between the central nervous system, brain and sensory organs.

How many glasses of water did you drink today?____

In a “normal” day we need about eight glasses of water; even more in pressured times.

Stress dehydrates. Responses become sluggish when we’re dehydrated. During challenging times, maintain water intake to improve concentration, mental and physical co-ordination. It alleviates mental fatigue, increases energy levels, and keeps our brain firing.

The downside

I know what you’re thinking! More frequent visits to the bathroom – another pesky performance symptom. Many performers notice that nerves increase their frequency of urination. Why? The smooth muscle of the genito-urinary system contracts when our sympathetic system is activated. Increased adrenaline rush and resulting cardiac racing can cause diuresis. Such issues are eased if we learn to channel that adrenaline away from such symptoms into energy.

Make water a habit

Drink plenty of water in pressured weeks, days, the morning of a performance. Ease back in the hours and minutes before, perhaps rinsing your mouth before walking onto the platform. On-stage, I like to have a water bottle at hand for a discreet sip between pieces. This helps another problem that besets performers; dry mouth.

Tips to shine in performance

You, or your students, face a big performance. Time runs short: 5—4—3—2—1 weeks. The next few blogs give practical, holistic, do-able tips to help you focus and poise in the weeks, days, even minutes before you walk onto the platform.

Fail to Prepare = Prepare to …?

It’s all cause and effect. We reap what we sow. Especially when it comes to a concert or competition. If we know, submerged deep down under the distractions, procrastinations, avoidances, excuses and trivia, that we have not worked, who’s surprised if we stuff up? It’s as likely as Monday following Sunday. We deserve to be nervous. However, take heart, and rescue it with:

The 80/20 Principle

What is the 20% (give or take a bit) that needs 80% of your focus, time and effort?

WORK SMART

I enjoy people’s reactions when I say: (drum roll)

‘Please, DON’T WORK SO HARD… ‘ (pause for effect)

‘At the easy parts.’

Practise what you can’t play – instead of what you can!

Often we reassure ourselves playing the passages that we CAN play, instead of facing the ones we can’t. That’s precious time wasted.

Would a coaching session help?

Target your needs with one-on-one sessions in SE Qld or via Skype. Email ruth@ruthbonetti.com to check availability.

RUTH BONETTI PERFORMANCE COACHING

There’s a good chance we will even enjoy performing if we prepare intelligently and regularly in the months before. We may even shrug off the butterflies and nervous greeblies. As long as we program our brains for success. (Excerpt from Practice is a Dirty Word: How to clean up your act.)

Let’s start at the top with our head. What’s happening in it…

Program your success

Create a self-fulfilling prophecy by visualising your triumph. Overcome potential self-sabotage of negative “what-if’s” with mental preparation.
See yourself, calm and poised, walking onto the platform, opening your mouth to speak. Hear the vibrant tone that flows out, resonating to the back of the hall. Out of the corner of your eye, see those fear-gremlins skulk away into the shadows, while you are encompassed in the warm, flattering and protective stage light.
And do you see those faces in the audience responding, smiling up at you? Hear the applause of their standing ovation? See yourself backstage with diary open, wondering where you can find time for a repeat performance.

OK to talk – but can Ruth play?

Hear her repeat concerto: Mendelssohn Konzertstücke Op. 114 with Sian Davis and Brisbane Symphony Orchestra

27 November – Sunshine Coast

28 November – Brisbane

Ruth Bonetti

Thoughts around words and music

Monthly Archives: October 2015

Water therapy for healthy performance

‘Tis the season of exams and recitals. We’re prepared, right?

(‘Fail to prepare > Prepare to Fail.’) As stress levels lift, we need clarity to function to our ability. Or we fluster in performance and lose the plot – and control of passages or scales. “I played that perfectly at home!” we groan.

WATER: a miracle boost for performers