3 Tips for Feeling Confident When Performing for Friends and Family

Performing for anyone can be a bit daunting, especially if you are newer to the violin. But, small gatherings (holidays, special occasions, birthdays) are great opportunity to practice performing for family and friends in a low pressure, low stakes environment, and it’s a wonderful way to share your passion and what you’ve been working so hard on.

Today, I’ll be sharing a few things you can do before playing for others to help you to feel more confident and at ease when nerves inevitably creep up. Let's get into these tips!

1. Choose familiar tunes, and keep them simple.


When selecting tunes to perform, choose 2 or 3 that you really feel comfortable with. This isn’t the time to try out new material or show off techniques you haven't fully mastered yet. Stick to what you know well, as it’ll help you perform with confidence and clarity. Before you start, take a deep breath to relax. Finally, keep a slow and steady pace during your performance; rushing can lead to mistakes and negatively affect your sound quality.

2. Practice getting into “performance mode” at home.


When practicing for an upcoming performance, start by playing through the entire tune from beginning to end. Once you’ve done that, go ahead and run through all of the tunes in the order you plan to perform them. It's important to play straight through without stopping, even if you hit a few wrong notes along the way. Remember, every performer makes mistakes—it's part of the process! What really matters is how you handle those moments. A good performer knows how to recover quickly and keep the positive energy flowing. So, if you stumble, just shake it off and keep going. Your audience will appreciate the seamless performance, and you'll build your confidence as you learn to navigate those hiccups with grace!

3. Focus on connection – not perfection.


When you step onto that (metaphorical) stage, remember to smile! Approaching your performance with the mindset of “I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on!” can really change the game. It shifts your energy from one of anxiety to excitement, making the whole experience much more enjoyable for everyone involved. On the flip side, if you go in thinking, “I hope I don’t mess up,” that worry can hang over you like a cloud, adding unnecessary pressure. Instead, embrace the moment and focus on connecting with your audience. After all, they’re there to enjoy what you have to offer, not to judge every little mistake.

So, there you have it! Those are a few important things to keep in mind when performing for friends and family that are sure to make you feel more comfortable and confident in the spotlight. For more on this topic, watch the video below.