The Power of Perception

Confidence is an important part of being a performing musician. I've recently been thinking about the things that can build or diminish our confidence as performers and the effect that can have on our playing. Unless you're a complete beginner, chances are you've experienced a day where you really felt you could do no wrong on the piano; you were 'in the zone'. On days like this, everything seems to fall easily under our fingers, we're full of ideas and we manage to nail everything we attempt. These are the days we live for!
Unfortunately, for most of us, days like this seem to be the exception rather than the rule. It's not that we play terribly on other occasions, but from time to time we experience a gig or a session where we really feel like you're flying. The question is, if this can happen sometimes, why doesn't it happen all the time? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer but I have been becoming increasingly aware that the differences in quality in musical performances are noticed far more by the performer than the audience.

Bill Evans once described professional playing as having a minimum performance level. Through practice and dedication, you reach the stage where, even if you are having an off night, the music never sinks below this, perfectly acceptable, minimum level. This is a great attitude to have, and if you're at the stage where you're good enough to gig regularly, you've probably developed an acceptable minimum level in your playing. This means that it's always going to sound OK. Sometimes, an audience won't even be able to tell the difference between your minimum level and when you're 'in the zone'.
Complete on: http://playjazz.blog.co.uk/2009/10/19/the-power-of-perception-7200557/