I've developed some pre-performance rituals over the years:
1. Before an audition or concert I eat a banana. I've gone out of my way to get The Perfect Banana and eat one: it has to be slightly longer than the average banana and a little underripe. I only eat a banana if I'm nervous about playing.
2. When I warm up before an audition I always play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" really slowly. I use long, steady bow strokes and play only on the G and D strings.
3. I take a little extra time to get all my strings tuned.
4. I practice the performance piece(s) first, then play something else that I've memorized.
5. I pay special attention to my breathing, and take long, deep breaths before starting.
6. I clip my fingernails, if they're not short enough already. I used to keep a pair of nail clippers in my case at all times in case of a last-minute scenario.
7. I stretch. The kind of stretches I had to do in high school P.E., plus some other ones just for my wrists and fingers. I've developed this habit of making Lady Gaga hands because it feels good to tense up my fingers like this:
Those are the only rituals I can think of at the moment.
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