Music Performance Anxiety—Part 2: A Review of Treatment Options

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariadna O Brugués
Keyword(s):  
Music Teachers ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
Methods Of Treatment

Music performance anxiety (MPA) affects many individuals independent of age, gender, experience, and hours of practice. In order to prevent MPA from happening or to alleviate it when it occurs, a review of the literature about its prevention and treatment was done. Forty-four articles, meeting evidence-based medicine (EBM) criteria, were identified and analyzed. Performance repertoire should be chosen based on the musician’s skill level, and it should be practiced to the point of automaticity. Because of this, the role of music teachers is essential in preventing MPA. Prevention is the most effective method against MPA. Several treatments (psychological as well as pharmacological) have been studied on subjects in order to determine the best treatment for MPA. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) seems to be the most effective, but further investigation is desired. Some musicians, in addition to CBT, also take β-blockers; however, these drugs should only be prescribed occasionally after analyzing the situation and considering the contraindications and possible side effects. Despite these conclusions, more randomized studies with larger, homogeneous groups of subjects would be desirable (according to the EBM criteria), as well as support for the necessity of both MPA prevention and optimized methods of treatment when it does occur.

Music Performance Anxiety—Part 1: A Review of its Epidemiology

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariadna O Brugués
Keyword(s):  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Based Medicine

Music performance anxiety (MPA) affects many individuals regardless of age, gender, experience, and hours of practice. In order to better understand the epidemiology of MPA, a review of the literature was done. Sixteen articles, meeting EBM criteria, were identified and analyzed. Children rarely suffer from MPA, while adolescents show symptoms similar to adults. Females are generally more affected than males. There is no relation between professional experience and performance anxiety. Great musicians such as Pau Casals and Enrico Caruso suffered from MPA. Nevertheless, students affected by MPA may decide not to become professional musicians because of their inability to cope with the devastating effects of performance anxiety. Solo performances showed higher MPA scores than ensemble performances. Despite these conclusions, long-term cohort studies with larger, homogeneous groups of subjects would be desirable, according to the evidence-based medicine criteria.

Performance Anxiety Among Musicians

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Jennifer Mumm ◽  
Isabel Fernholz ◽  
Andreas Ströhle ◽  
Jens Plag ◽  
Alexander Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
High Distress ◽  
Control Loss ◽  
Preventive Methods

Abstract. Musicians suffering from music performance anxiety (MPA) fear and/or avoid performing situations. While performing, they often experience physiological (like increased heart rate or sweating), cognitive (for example fear of control loss), behavioral (like making mistakes or avoiding performances) and emotional symptoms (mostly fear) leading to high distress. About a quarter of all professional musicians suffer from MPA. In studies, cognitive behavioral therapy and beta blockers were effective options for treating MPA. Other treatments and preventive methods are presented.

scholarly journals Music Performance Anxiety in Adolescent Student Singers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Megan Corby
Keyword(s):  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Adolescent Psychology ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Classical Singing ◽  
Adolescent Student

<p>This project seeks to sidestep the debilitating effects of music performance anxiety by cross-referencing knowledge from the areas of adolescent psychology with literature on MPA in singers in general in order to target adolescent singers early in their training. As well as considering the causes, symptoms and treatment of music performance anxiety, the project examines the role of the natural anxieties of adolescence in triggering music performance anxiety and seeks to chart a way through. Its intended readership is the classical singing teacher.</p>

scholarly journals Music Performance Anxiety in Adolescent Student Singers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Megan Corby
Keyword(s):  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Adolescent Psychology ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Classical Singing ◽  
Adolescent Student

<p>This project seeks to sidestep the debilitating effects of music performance anxiety by cross-referencing knowledge from the areas of adolescent psychology with literature on MPA in singers in general in order to target adolescent singers early in their training. As well as considering the causes, symptoms and treatment of music performance anxiety, the project examines the role of the natural anxieties of adolescence in triggering music performance anxiety and seeks to chart a way through. Its intended readership is the classical singing teacher.</p>

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