‘It hypes you up in the wrong way’: violinists on what not to do before a performance

It’s a difficult thing to do, walking on stage to perform a mammoth piece of string repertoire before an audience, while conveying the image that you are calm and controlled. Your nerves and adrenaline may beg to differ! Unlike tennis players, who enjoy the oppportunity to warm up on court before a match, a musician can’t warm up on stage in front of fellow musicians and the audience. How does one cope?

Violinists Tasmin Little and Jennifer Pike share their strategies in this excerpt from a conversation hosted by the Royal Philharmonic Society held in November 2021. The full conversation is available for members to watch on demand. To join the RPS, click here.