Joshua Bell Quotes

So much of performing is a mind game.

I just learned my lyrics and tried not to bump into the trumpet player. That was my philosophy.

The nerves are a problem on trumpet, because when you mess up everyone can hear it. Just remember most people are too polite to say anything about it. That should calm your nerves.

I talked to friends who are actors and who do Shakespeare loads, and they all said 'learn it so that your family wants to clobber you, they're so bored.' You can never relax, that's the problem, because when you do, a bit of Shakespeare comes up to bite your cheeky behind. It just does, if you're not really focused on it.

I like to spend time alone before I go on stage.

I was so nervous every night that I had to really focus and keep myself in that moment so that I would not forget the words. I was really present for every song.

As for the stage fright, it never goes away. When I'm waiting in the wings to go on, it's agony every single time but I stay focused and I know that once I'm on stage it'll be fine; I'll be in my happy little bubble.

People think I look odd onstage. But the way I deal with being incredibly nervous is by concentrating really hard.

People ask me, 'How do you remember your lines?' That's nothing. That is the least of my concerns.

I was terrified of being on stage, and I had to work very hard at a craft to get past that.

Every audition is different, but I get incredibly nervous and insecure and worked up for however long I have to prep - that's when I get to spin. But you're not allowed to spin once you enter the room. Doubt really can't enter the room when you're auditioning - unless it's part of the character.

All I have to concentrate on is my performing.

I'm getting to a point where everything is becoming streamlined in my life. I'm learning how to stand onstage for two hours and play in front of thousands of people as if I am completely in the moment every moment.

Every night, you fight for that standing ovation at the end of the night. And if you do something wrong, the domino effect is chaotic. And you must not allow yourself to make mistakes whatsoever. So in that case, theater, it's fascinating because of the discipline that you need.

I know what it feels like to walk out in front of a sold-out crowd of a thousand people that are there for you, and how good that feels, but as an opener, you just have to train yourself to think that it's going to be harder.

If you have a recital to do, you have to memorize the songs. I never use music when I do recitals. It produces an instant barrier, both for yourself and the audience.

I don't think I'm sharp enough to not prepare and come on set and kill it.

Acting can be very solitary, even if you're in a scene with someone else, because you worry about your own performance and if you look good.

When I perform live, I'm doing a lot, but I kind of black out. I don't think about it too much.

Sometimes, you go into an audition, and sometimes you're just not on it completely 100 percent.

To be honest, I am scared of acting, and moreover, I want to be perfect on the musical stage first.

It takes every ounce of my concentration and focus every night to be in character, to sing in good voice, to not fall off the platform. I use my peripheral vision more than I have ever used it in my life.

My ideal setting is I walk from the streets, backstage, and straight onto the stage. Two minutes, and I am on the stage. That way, in my head I have gone from my world and then into a social setting with my friends.

You know, when Michael Jackson does the moonwalk, he's showing off! When Prince or Hendrix do a guitar solo, it's confidence! I would hate to be at a show and some nervous wreck is sweating up there and doesn't feel like he deserves to be there.

I always felt like my future was at stake every time I stepped on stage and that was kind of hair-raising. At some point I just went, don't be frightened, you can't do anything wrong, it's your show.