Tremor problem...

[Harry Potter]

Hello,
I had posted something about my hand tremor a while back, asking what I could do about it, and it wasn't that bad then. But yesterday during lunch, I had pulled out a pack of cards to show some people the Ishkabibble Sandwich by Eric Jones. I was very relaxed, and had pulled out the cards a second later, and my whole hand started to shake like crazy, more than it had before. It was so bad, I didn't even do the card trick, I tried doing a one-handed fan, but still, this did not work. I eventually put the cards back into the box and started to eat my lunch, thinking it had something to do with being hungry. It didn't: I had tried again later, but my hand would not stop shaking.
I put in hours of practice a day with cards, and I never have any problems with hands shaking or anything like that. But every time I'm performing for a spectator...it always comes back.
This is very frustrating for me, and if any of you could help me on what to do, or have a problem like this, please share.

Thank you,
Harry Potter

 

[CaseyRudd]

I think the shaking comes back when you are nervous performing for real people. You don't become nervous when you practice by yourself because there is no one around to catch you when you mess up. You adjust to becoming comfortable by yourself without having to worry if other people catch your mistakes. The only way to get better in practice is by performing whenever possible. Even if your hands shake, you'll adjust to having other people around you. You can get feedback from them afterwards or tell during the performance by facial expression, or even if they point something out. If they point something out, bust out a witty line, etc. be comfortable with your mistakes. It's natural and it will happen. It's a learning experience that can only happen when you perform for real people. When you start shaking, don't stop performing. Keep on. This will help adjust you with performing.

Go out and perform. That nervousness will soon go away whether you think it will happen or not. Only way to find out is by trying. Good luck!

 

[RickEverhart]

This happens to 99% of us and as Casey mentioned....it will go away, I promise. It take a lot of performances in front of real people to build your confidence and calm the nervousness. Performing selfworking card effects first for the audience sometimes helps. Perform for friends, family, etc.

 

[Simple Magic]

I don't think he's nervous. I think he really has a tremor. Whatever is it like Casey said, you have no choice but to adjust. Good luck!

 

[JD]

I agree with Simple Magic. I think he has a tremor.

 

[cunningstunts]

Ive only just begun performing with other people - when im on my own im fine and everything flows, with friends or new people like at school or whatever my hands would shake, get my patter wrong etc. I had, until I began to feel more confident, a real shaking problem. It will go away eventually as you become more relaxed when putting yourself in the spotlight with people. Just chill, it will be fine.

 

[Craig Browning]

Nerves are always a big deal, I can tell you some very funny stories about major headliners when it comes to their battle with nerves. One of these stories has to do with a gent that would vomit almost like clockwork, before every performance. He started using Hypnosis to help him over come the condition and it helped him tremendously, you may want to look into that type of treatment both, a few formal sessions to get things going, and then using either an audio file with a reinforcement message or self-hypnosis.

I have downloaded several bits from HypnosisDownloads.com that you may want to look into. Fairly inexpensive and practical.

 

[Randy]

Mick Jagger still get's the shakes every time he's performed in front of live people and he's been in the business sense the dawn of time.

There really isn't a "cure" for the shakes. They will still be there even if you've done thousands of performances, they just won't be as much of a problem because you'll have the confidence in the knowledge that you've performed a dozen or more times.

 

[Justin.Morris]

Hey man, it sounds like you might have something called an Essential Fine Tremor. Ask your family doctor about it. There isn't much you can take for it, but once you know what you are dealing with it will help.

I have an est. It manifests the same way. There are a few ways to combat it. First it's important to knownthat it will go away after the first 1 or 2 tricks you do because it is a tremor that gets worse with adrenaline. I always begin my sets with something that I am very familiar with. I know where my hands need to be without thinking about it. I have two cards selected : for the first one I fan the cards and actually hold my hand with my free hand. This helps keep it steady. I then move straight into a one handed fan as soon as the card is removed, and brace it with the other handsome underneath. As soon as they take it, I close the deck and turn my back as they look at their cards. If you keep your hands in motion, then the won't see the shake as much (a Vernon tip: the larger motion covers the smaller motion).
Deep breaths should also help slow the adrenaline sooner.

There are a few more things that might help, but will have to type later (we are at the hospital now-just had another baby )