How Professional Performers Manage Performance Anxiety

Abstract

Many treatment studies have been undertaken to determine the effectiveness of standard psychological treatments for musical performance anxiety. However, little has been undertaken in the way of naturalistic studies to examine the strategies employed by successful professional performers in managing performance anxiety. This study attempts to ascertain these strategies as a basis for developing programs for the education and training of developing musicians and those prone to experiencing performance anxiety. Thirty professional performers from the classical and jazz fields, with a national and international profile and soloist experience, were interviewed on an in-depth basis by the researcher. It was found that these performers all experienced some degree of performance anxiety and viewed it as an accepted and positive part of performing provided they were able to maintain control of it. They achieved this by preparation prior to performing and using a variety of musical, cognitive, behavioural and lifestyle strategies. Most performers felt that a better understanding of these strategies should be provided in the training of musicians.