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How do you muster the strength to last an entire recital?

I just sat through another hour-long solo recital (on the marimba), and I thought, how do these people do it? I always find myself running out of strength during recitals when I'm the one playing on stage. A few days ago, I was playing in a piano trio and halfway through the performance, my left hand started cramping up and I couldn't hold my ring finger down; I had to improvise alternative fingerings on the spot. One disaster of a performance. Any tips?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Oh dear... A musician's worst fear...and they're right. It sounds like overuse. Some people make fun of musicians for babying their hands to almost the point of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it's true: you must take care of your hands in order for them to take you through an entire performance. Warming them up properly before playing, avoiding other activities (i.e., landscaping duties, anything that is unneccessary and could injure them or contribute to your problem), massaging them (some people are particular about other people massaging their hands for fear the 'competition' may intentionally damage them), soaking them in hot-warm water prior to massage, massage with arnica extract, etc. Anything an athlete would do for a muscle/tendon issue, but on a smaller scale.

The stress issue is important as well. There is a mind-body connection -- if you're stressing about this excessively, you wil tense up. This will compound your problem. Whatever you need to do to relax will help to some degree. Don't over do things -- if you must practice all day, take frequent breaks (once per hour). Go for a walk while you massage your hands and wrists, stretch them with proper stretching activities. Get plenty of rest (quality sleep) and eat quality food. If cramping is something that pervades your practicing existence, perhaps you're lacking some potassium. Eat a banana prior to practice.

if the problem persists despite your best efforts, you might consider putting yourself through some physical therapy that includes some ultrasound therapy. Take care --