Performance Simulation/Distraction Track | Play this in the background while practicing for a gig!

[@StephanieClaussen]

How many of you have practiced with this video? How'd it go?

[@belindahunt9365]

Genius!

[@Doublereeder2]

Ha! Totally!

[@Alittlepillowcompanyhome]

Too funny….and spot on! The carpet distractions are the ones I most relate to. I had a dog that would move around, lying down, getting up, behind my strings while I practiced and his coat would make it so much harder to see! Drove me insane (as I was a beginner) until it occurred to me this could be a good learning opp and maybe he knew that 😂🥰

[@StephanieClaussen]

A pet is a great and lovely distraction!!

[@1Harpdude]

This is absolutely brilliant! I would do this with students when they were practicing for a recital. Start talking, having my phone ring, asking questions “ How long have you been playing the harp?” And things like that!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks David! I’ve always appreciated your posts about performing and your rewrites that actually make the music playable!!

[@1Harpdude]

Thanks for your kind words!!! One thing that I added, when I had a student there in person was to walk up to them while they’re playing and pull out my cell phone and start videotaping their fingers up close. That’s happened to me so many times I can’t count! And inevitably always happens at the most difficult part of this piece and it always rattles me!

[@StephanieClaussen]

@@1Harpdude YES. It's amazing how they always know when the scariest passage is coming up. 😩😭

[@yepingtsim2938]

Great post!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you!

[@ijwtbotdad]

You forgot one that is also very distracting for the listeners, someone who decides to whistle along with your solo offertory. :) Playing drums in a gigging band fortunately insulates me from a lot of these since I have a buffer of the rest of the band. But almost every gig someone would come up and try to have a lengthy conversation with one of our guitar players while we were playing.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Ah yes, the whistling! Singing along and clapping out of time are also difficult to ignore. Holding conversations is nearly impossible. I might be able to nod and smile but probably won't retain what the person said to me.

[@poohwol10]

Y’know…it’s all I can do to make a video without doggie-distractions, or disruptions!😂. This is a great idea!

[@StephanieClaussen]

I agree that disruptions when I'm recording a video are so disheartening!

[@monique-octowhale]

1:24 is such a solid tip!! A solid cloth would definitely help prevent how distracting behind the strings can be~~

[@StephanieClaussen]

It can make such a difference!

[@richzulewski7185]

As a performing musician, I can absolutely say that all of these come into play at one time or another.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Yes! Though hopefully not as frequently as in this video. 😂😂

[@AngelaBoraston]

I managed to hold it together till 2min in when they asked for a photo and I tried to recover then jumped at the bells and fell in a giggling heap! Love this video!😂😂😂

[@StephanieClaussen]

Haha! Your comment made me laugh so much!

[@shonuff8551]

Bravo

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thanks!

[@ZhiyingHarp]

this is great!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you! Happy practicing!

[@carpenanne]

This video is so good.

[@StephanieClaussen]

Thank you!