PREPARE. If your performance is less than perfect at home it is unlikely to excel in front of an audience. PRACTICE!
FOCUS. During practices train your mind to look beyond technique to imaginative expression and communication with your audience.
DEEP BREATHING. Make sure to fill your entire lungs (not just the upper chest) while breathing to provide more oxygen to the brain and regulate your breathing rate, which is calming.
MEDITATION. Sit or lie comfortably in a distraction-free room and repeat a one-syllable word over and over again in your head as your body and mind relax.
POSITIVE ENERGY. Repeat positive thoughts like “I love to play for an audience” or "I am a commanding performer.” Believe these affirmations and they will become habit.
IMAGING. Athletes use this technique: visualize the scenes of your ideal performance in detail. Playing through the entire performance I your mind’s eye from your entrance, through every movement, to your exit.
EXPERIENCE. Perform at old age homes, school music classes, or soirees at home: each practice performance will build confidence and teach you to cope with your nerves.
FOOD. Choose foods rich in complex carbohydrates for long-lasting energy before a performance and avoid caffeine and sugary foods. Bananas calm your nerves. Eat one an hour before you play.