Discussion 1.2: Video Inspiration

From the videos I learned that the visualization phase of speech preparation can be made easier by visiting the facility where the speech will be given. Back in high school I was in a piano class and we had to perform recitals and our first recital of the year and the first recital I’ve ever performed was coming up. I had rigorously practiced my piece of repertoire and was confident that I knew it well but still was highly anxious about delivering it because I had never been out on the stage; I’d been used to the informally intimate classroom setting with many other keyboards and classmates around me whenever I was practicing. The night of the performance came and I got out on stage, sat at the piano, nerves made my fingers tremble uncontrollably and tentatively I began playing.
That stage was tremendously intimidating! It’s only you and the piano out there with blinding bright lights and everybody’s seat purposefully angled toward you. All I could think about was this unfamiliar position I was in and needless to say I did stumble through a couple sections of the piece wishing to only get off stage. Had I been able to see and practice on the stage I would felt more at ease and been able to concentrate on my music. The more familiar I am with setting the more comfortable I feel performing in that setting and there will not be any surprises. Now that I had experienced that environment and got accustomed to it, succeeding performances ended with near flawlessness.