Wynton Marsalis Quotes

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

So much of performing is a mind game. You're memorizing thousands of notes, and if you start thinking about it in the wrong way, everything can blow up in your face.

Every concert I've finished with the knowledge I've played a fistful of wrong notes.

It's hard work to think away all those 200 people or 40 people, whatever the crew is, that are around behind the camera. To also think about, 'Whatever I'm doing now is going to be seen by a million people,' it doesn't really help my performance.

I think I'm always nervous, even if I play not on the center court.

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.

The first time I performed musically, I threw up.

Performance is hard. I know this. I really enjoy it, but I have bombed, I have fluffed, and I have said the wrong thing.

And when I perform on my own tour, I have to talk myself into going out on that stage every single night.

The intensity of being in front of all these incredible musicians and tremendous conductors in these elaborate halls can be overwhelming.

So much of performing is a mind game.

I was this kid, and I was scared to death of all these pros around me... My head would shake, and my hands would shake, and I discovered if I kept my head down and looked up, my head would not shake, so I started to do that when I could, when it was appropriate in a scene.

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

I get extremely nervous before performances. I pray and try to look at it as, 'I'll go out there and have fun,' but it's very nerve-wracking for me. I don't think that will ever change.

I still get really nervous, though, before each performance. It kind of hits about 15 minutes before we go onstage - sometimes I don't even want to go on. But once I'm onstage I'm fine.

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.

No one tells you what to do if you completely flop at the beginning of a performance.

I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.

Anyone who tells you they're not nervous playing on the CMAs stage, I'm afraid they're not telling you the whole story.

I'm not saying I look cool, but every single time I go onstage, it is a fail if I don't feel like I'm going to pass out at least twice.

When I got to match point in the final I was afraid I'd be a little nervous, but I just said, You have to stay focused, just think about what you have to do.

I used to get very nervous before a concert. It's okay when you are in a band. You can kind of disappear. But when it's just you... yes, that was difficult. I would not say it is easy now. But when you do it for a long time, you do learn to cope.

Before every performance, I think I am about to keel over.

Actually, performing is a lot like golf. You are alone, so vulnerable.

The first time I sang in front of an audience, I was about 14 - it was at my guitar school's showcase, and there were about 30 people there. I was so nervous, but I did it.