Performance anxiety is not something that only happens to musicians, singers, actors and dancers. It happens any time we feel pressure to "perform" in a specific situation or over a period of time. Writing a book or creating a painting or sculpture may evoke symptoms as well.
Symptoms of performance anxiety include "butterflies" in the stomach, quickened heart rate or more severe symptoms such as hyperventilation, dizziness or intense fear.
The 5 main reasons for performance anxiety are:
1. We're not present in the moment, inside our body.
When we're focused on our (negative) thoughts and on what we *think* about what's happening, as opposed to just taking in the sensory information from around us without analyzing it, we miss out on what's happening.
2. Perfectionism.
Unrealistic expectations can warp our perceptions of how great we actually are!
3. Lack of training in performance-specific skills.
Sometimes our training is focused more on the execution of our art form, and not specifically focused on helping us become comfortable and confident performers. Performing is not natural for everyone and needs to be learned.
4. Past trauma.
People who have suffered abuse or trauma have a much harder time being "exposed" in a performance setting. Sometimes, also, we have had traumatic experiences to do with our art form ? such as critical teachers or harsh performance experiences.
5. Difficulty connecting with other people.
Gifted performers have sometimes grown up very isolated because of time spent with their art form instead of "playing" with their peers. When you generally think of yourself as different or an outsider, or in terms of "me" and "them", being in front of an audience just magnifies that and it becomes more difficult to think of the audience as lovingly receiving your talents and gifts. Instead you may see them as judgmental or unkind.
The ideas in this article were adapted from the Level I Training in Performance Wellness developed by Louise Montello of Musicians Wellness. Visit Musicians Wellness at http://www.musicianswellness.org.
(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. To receive her free monthly newsletter, "Everyday Artist", subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/artist-n ewsletter.html
Many students think that being able to play what you... Read More
Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More
What in the world is "naked music?"You know it when... Read More
In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More
Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More
July 6, 1973 Birmingham EnglandSteven: Has it been difficult for... Read More
Everyone talks about the negative impact of the Internet on... Read More
It has become increasingly popular for U.S. military veterans and... Read More
New bands looking to book gigs and establish contacts often... Read More
Sometime during the 1930's electric guitars were introduced onto the... Read More
SoundEdit Pro is a digital audio editor for a user-friendly... Read More
Buying a digital piano could be a very delicate attempt,... Read More
For many years I have supplied music for and played... Read More
OK, say you've got one thousand of your favorite MP3... Read More
The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More
I wish you could have seen me play the piano... Read More
Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of... Read More
Many piano students spend much time learning how to play... Read More
1. Don't try and make something happen. Trying blocks the... Read More
I Want To Grow Old With You (C)Chorus: I want... Read More
Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a... Read More
In many years of arranging jazz bands for all sorts... Read More
Every day musical instruments enrich the lives of people around... Read More
Playing by ear is the ability to play a piece... Read More
Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've... Read More
One of the Appalachian Mountain region's greatest contributions to the... Read More
If you've ever looked at a flower garden, not only... Read More
Rosemary Brown (1916-2001) was a middle-aged South London widow, making... Read More
Often people receive a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar or some... Read More
Mid 1959 Stratocaster vintage guitars have a slab rosewood fingerboard... Read More
Dierks Bentley is more than meets the eye, but what... Read More
While it probably doesn't seem like this would help -... Read More
It sounds like a side show, doesn't it? It does... Read More
Already making plenty of noise in the marketplace is a... Read More
In the late 1940's, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM... Read More
"In human life, art may arise from almost any activity,... Read More
There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More
Remember when radio stations played great music?OK, before you accuse... Read More
It's not what you play, it's how you play it.... Read More
Before they got together as Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong,... Read More
Changing your guitar strings might make you feel a litte... Read More
Guitar amplifiers are a major part of your tone. Some... Read More
What is "Episcopal" music?We often hear people express concern about... Read More
1. Don't try and make something happen. Trying blocks the... Read More
Ann Powers said: "Don't censor the music and artistic... Read More
We all know, if only instinctively, that music has a... Read More
Do you sit down at the piano and feel anxiety... Read More
These practice tips were written for fiddlers. I've used them... Read More
Since chords (the main component of harmony) are one of... Read More
Chopin used them extensively. So did Beethoven and Mozart. Arpeggios... Read More
There are 3 pedals on most pianos. The one on... Read More
Remember the old ad that used to run endlessly in... Read More
IntroductionThe fact that you are holding this in your hands... Read More
New York born singer songwriter Michael Alan, who records with... Read More
Like starting with any instrument, beginning clarinet is a process... Read More
We All Have a Favorite Piece of Music that Moves... Read More
A number of people have asked about my own methodology... Read More
How To Construct Basic Chords on the PianoThe easiest way... Read More
Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More
Small independent record labels are facing a different fight today... Read More
Kenny "Axil" Rose (Lead vocals), D.J. "Slash (Lead guitar), Joshua... Read More
Here are six very good reasons to learn how to... Read More
Rhapsody music, from RealNetworks is one of several reputable legal... Read More
Betty Kresin, Eminem's grandmother from the maternal side... Read More
It may surprise many to find that the hobby of... Read More
Meet the 12 Major Notes:1. C (do)2. C# - Db... Read More
Music & MP3 |