How do you manage the pressure of delivering a great performance on a tight schedule or with minimal rehearsal time?

Handling the pressure of delivering a great performance within tight deadlines requires being highly organized and efficient. Fortunately, today we have tools that allow us to record multiple takes, select the best parts, and even combine them quickly and accurately. My last two years of recording custom bass tracks on Fiverr have provided me with the know-how to work effectively within tight timeframes.

First of all, it helps a lot to have a deep knowledge of different musical styles, so that I can transfer the approach of similar works studied in the past to the current project. If I have to arrange a piece that seeks to recreate 19th century romanticism, since I know it so well, it is quick to offer a pro performance because I apply what I already know of so many composers of that century, whereas if I didn't know them, it would be impossible to do it almost immediately.

Secondly, since I work as an interpreter of my own arrangements, it is important to have good improvisational skills, something I have cultivated for years and which I apply to all kinds of styles. Improvisation is usually associated with jazz, but it can be applied to any style. That added to a theoretical knowledge of the styles and a good interpretative ability to immerse myself in the emotionality of the work, allows me a quick response capacity. In 2022 I won an international piano composition competition and although I had some preparation sessions, it was basically a work of improvisation. It was not months composing that piece, but less than two weeks. I rely more on my intuition and "letting myself go" than on intellectual or theoretical overthinking when I make music.

I think the best way to get a good result is to be organized down to the smallest detail.

When I don't have a big workload, I create some default sessions, templates, so I can cut the project creation time in the moments of maximum work.

Furthermore, I focus on one job at a time, trying to avoid useless moments of multitasking that a human brain can hardly manage.

I focus 100% on the work I have to do, also taking advantage of the various time zones of the clients.

I specialize in drum sessions on Fiverr, and one of the things that makes it really easy to learn songs in a very short time is to always have my kid set up my up and ready to go all the time. I also have an electronic kit set up at all times so that I can use it to practice the song before I go and jump on the actual acoustic for the recording. This way, I can build some muscle memory very quickly and be more efficient to record. I also have all my effects and mixing template set up, to work as quickly as possible, providing the best results. 

I've been working on Fiverr for 4 years now and delivered over 500 orders.
During these years I developed a work routine that allows me to have many hours a day to work on Fiverr orders and, since I have a home studio, I'm always ready to work whenever is needed.

I rely on efficient preparation and staying focused on the essentials to handle the pressure of delivering a solid performance on a tight schedule or with limited rehearsal. I break down the song's structure quickly, identify key transitions, and lock into the groove early on. My experience with different styles helps me adapt intuitively, and I keep an open line of communication with the artist to ensure I’m on the right track. Staying calm and focused allows me to deliver the best possible performance, even with minimal time.

I think it is important to develop a workflow that works for you and try to maintain consistency.

Over the past 10 years on Fiverr, I have a developed a workflow that I am very comfortable with and the steps and preparation all come naturally. I know exactly where I start my process and where to go from the moment I open up and order. This familiarity goes a long way to allow me to focus on the requirements of the order without having to worry about the technicalities of recording and delivering the product. 

I don't feel these situations as a pressure because I always try to know immediately all the fundamental informations from the client and I organize my work to have priorities in their place!