I wish I'd reminded myself more often to relax before playing in concerts. Looking back, I should have told myself more frequently, "I know this music. I've practiced it, and we've rehearsed it many times. Just because an audience is here tonight doesn't mean I'll suddenly forget everything I've learned. Chances are, none of the audience members are following along with scores of the pieces we're playing, singling out the bass lines. Besides, if I flub a note, I won't be the only one, and the audience might not even notice. This is a huge orchestra, and there's safety in numbers."
That's the shot of confidence every performer should have before a concert.
