Music performance anxiety

1. How do I stop performance anxiety in music?
2. What causes musical performance anxiety?
3. What is musical performance anxiety?
4. What percentage of musicians experience performance anxiety?

How do I stop performance anxiety in music?

Beta-blockers such as Inderal (propranolol) taken before a performance reduce symptoms of anxiety such as increased heart rate, shaking and sweating. In addition to beta blockers, benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be helpful in managing musical performance anxiety.

What causes musical performance anxiety?

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a complex phenomenon caused by the interaction of many factors, including genetics, environmental stimuli and the individual's experience, emotions, cognitions and behaviours (Kenny, 2011).

What is musical performance anxiety?

Music performance anxiety (MPA) has been defined as « the experience of marked and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance (…), which is manifested through combinations of affective, cognitive, somatic and behavioral symptoms » [1] , p. 433. MPA is a significant problem for many musicians [2].

What percentage of musicians experience performance anxiety?

MPA is often described by musicians as aversive (Kenny, 2011) and is relatively common, with up to 70% of professional musicians reporting experiencing anxiety across performance contexts (Kenny, 2011).