My Panic Passages (And What I Think About When They're Coming)

You're playing along and everything's going fine. Then that section starts approaching. You know the one. Every piece has an "oh sh*t" passags.... the measures you've mastered in practice but haven't mastered in performance. The ones where panic sets in before your fingers even get there. In this video I share three ways I reframe those passages while I'm preparing my video submission for the Vigo International Piano Competition, where I'm currently on the waitlist and preparing as if I'm in. None of these are technical fixes. They're mental shifts you can use immediately. 💪 Remind yourself you've done it before 💫 Switch your focus to the easier hand 🧘‍♀️ Breathe and practice the breath before you need it I demonstrate all three on the double thirds passage in the Chopin Polonaise-Fantasie. 📌 Part of my Road to Vigo series, documenting my preparation for the Vigo International Piano Competition. _____________________________ ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 — The "Oh Sh*t" section — and why you already have what it takes 00:00:26 — Trick 1: "I've done this before, I can do it again" 00:00:50 — Trick 2: Switch your focus to the easier hand 00:01:36 — Demo: Chopin Polonaise-Fantasie double thirds in real time 00:02:19 — Trick 3: Breathe (the most invisible and most important) 00:02:47 — How to practice the breath before you need it 00:03:14 — What happens after the recording (practice tracker + Skip Today) ______________________________ 💫 RESOURCES FREE Tension Free Mini-Course 👇 https://LisaSpector.com/tension-free 📧 Teaching Tips every Tuesday https://LisaSpector.com/newsletter 🌐 https://LisaSpector.com _______________________________ 🎹 Hi, I’m Lisa Spector, a Juilliard alum pianist helping dedicated adult pianists master advanced piano technique and tension free piano practice. Subscribe for piano practice hacks, time saving piano strategies, and tips to turn frustration into freedom at the keys.