Music Information

Performing, Whats the Big Deal?


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-newsletter.html


MORE RESOURCES:

AFP

Downloading music: what does the government's announcement mean ...
guardian.co.uk, UK - 1 hour ago
Basically, they are the first tentative steps towards the music and film rights owners working together with internet service providers (ISPs) to try to ...
ISPs to crack down on music piracy VNUNet.com
UPDATE 1-Britain agrees plan to tackle online music piracy Reuters
UK's Biggest ISPs Agree To Warn Illegal Music, Movie Downloaders Washington Post
Reuters UK - Reuters
all 364 news articles


Fluid Music's Trusonic(R) Extends Growing Relationship With Guitar ...
FOXBusiness - 56 minutes ago
By providing strategic control of music, messaging and ad placement, Trusonic solutions build on existing brand awareness while generating new revenue ...


Sky News

Cyberclinic: Music downloads – resistance is futile
Independent, UK - 3 hours ago
By Rhodri Marsden Our main story today, surrounding how on earth the problem of illegal music downloads is going to be tackled, is one that even close ...
Personalise your news Sky News
all 52 news articles


Music listings
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 4 hours ago
Girl Talk Aka music producer and mashup DJ Gregg Gillis, from Pennsylvania. Commodore Ballroom, July 24, ticketmaster.ca and Zulu Judas Priest Heavy metal ...
In Concert The Province
all 2 news articles


MySpace music service to launch in September
CNNMoney.com - 11 hours ago
Social networking site MySpace will launch a new music service in September, CEO Chris DeWolfe announced at Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference on ...
MySpace's DeWolfe Says New Music Joint Venture to Launch in September Washington Post
MySpace Music to launch in September CNET News
all 5 news articles


4Music to be 'rebirth of music TV'
The Press Association - 1 hour ago
Details of the "premier line-up" of 4Music, a reincarnation of music TV channel The Hits, have been outlined. Channel 4 and Bauer Media, which are behind ...


New York Times

Music Review Onstage in the US, if Not on the Air
New York Times, United States - 9 hours ago
Mr. Michael’s music since 1990 has received little play on American radio stations, ever since he unsuccessfully sued his label at the time, Sony, ...


Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to perform work inspired by music of ...
The Canadian Press, BALTIMORE - 21 hours ago
6," the first orchestral work inspired by the music of the Grateful Dead. Patrons will be greeted by a display of rare Dead photos in the lobby, ...


BBC News

BSkyB teams up with Universal Music to take on iTunes
NME.com, UK - Jul 23, 2008
The UK's biggest pay-for-TV company BSkyB, who operate Sky Digital, is launching an online music subscription service. The company has signed up Universal, ...
BSkyB signs Universal for online music service Reuters
Sky to take on Apple's iTunes with online MP3 music service Telegraph.co.uk
Music industry: Sky sets up rival for iTunes with Universal deal guardian.co.uk
Times Online - International Herald Tribune
all 105 news articles


Music site founder talks about how Facebook hearts iLike
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
Ali Partovi, one of the twin brothers behind popular online music service iLike, dropped by the press room at today's F8 conference to bask in the glow of ...
iLike to get get elevated status on Facebook Seattle Post Intelligencer
all 5 news articles

Music - Google News

home | site map
© 2006