Music performance anxiety (MPA) refers to the experience of excessive worry, nervousness, or fear before or during a musical performance. It can manifest as physical symptoms, such as trembling or sweating, and can impair a musician’s ability to perform at their best.
And now, in greater depth
Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), also known as stage fright, is a common psychological phenomenon that affects many musicians, regardless of their level of expertise or experience. It refers to the intense feelings of fear, worry, and nervousness that arise before or during a musical performance, and can have a detrimental impact on a musician’s ability to perform at their best.
One of the defining characteristics of MPA is the presence of physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety. These symptoms can include trembling or shaking, sweating, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and even nausea. These physiological responses can further exacerbate the anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break.
MPA arises from various underlying factors, including the pressure to perform well, fear of judgment or criticism, self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of making mistakes in front of an audience. This anxiety can be especially challenging for musicians who place high expectations on themselves and strive for perfection.
Interestingly, music performance anxiety can affect musicians of all levels. Even world-renowned performers have experienced stage fright at some point in their careers. This highlights the pervasive nature of MPA and its ability to impact musicians regardless of their expertise. Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman once aptly stated, “The key to performing isto feel that when you go on stage that if you split a note, the angels will weep.”
To better understand the scope and impact of MPA, here are some interesting facts:
- MPA affects musicians from various genres, including classical musicians, jazz artists, and even popular music performers.
- According to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, approximately 64% of professional orchestral musicians reported experiencing performance anxiety.
- MPA can significantly impair a musician’s performance quality, leading to decreased technical proficiency, memory lapses, and even avoidance of future performances.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, have been found to be effective in managing MPA.
- Beta blockers, medications that reduce heart rate and blood pressure, are sometimes used by musicians to alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety. However, their use should be approached with caution and under medical supervision.
In summary, music performance anxiety is a widespread issue that affects musicians of all levels. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing strategies to cope with MPA can help musicians regain confidence and perform at their best. As Leonard Bernstein stated, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.”
See a video about the subject
In this YouTube video, Dr. David Juncos discusses music performance anxiety (MPA) and his work with musicians. He explains that MPA is a common issue among musicians, both students and professionals, who face high levels of pressure in their training and performances. Dr. Juncos conducted research studies on MPA and found that it typically begins around eight or nine years old. He highlights some of the biggest fears that musicians have, such as fear of disappointing themselves and others, being scrutinized by an audience, and not meeting their own standards. Dr. Juncos explains that MPA is not just about getting on stage, but also involves an evaluative component and an ego investment in one’s performance. He offers short-term relief-focused therapy or more lengthy treatments, such as exposure therapy, depending on the client’s needs. Overall, Dr. Juncos emphasizes the importance of confronting and gradually building tolerance to the feared sensations in order to find relief from MPA.
Further responses to your query
Musical performance anxiety (MPA) is defined as an experience of persistent and distressing apprehension and/or real prejudice of the performance abilities in a public context in an unjustifiable degree given the individual musical aptitude and preparation level.
Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is a marked and continued feeling of anxiety which relates to musical performance. It is a type of social anxiety disorder. MPA is experienced by many musicians of all ages, both professional and amateur, and is made worse by the presence of an audience and/or judges. MPA is characterized by a combination of affective, cognitive, somatic, and behavioral symptoms.
Musical performance anxiety (MPA) is defined as an experience of persistent and distressing apprehension and/or real prejudice of the performance abilities in a public context in an unjustifiable degree given the individual musical aptitude and preparation level.
According to her definition, Music Performance Anxiety is the experience of marked and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance that has arisen through specific anxiety conditioning experiences and which is manifested through combinations of affective, cognitive, somatic and behavioural symptoms.
Music performance anxiety is a marked and continued feeling of anxiety which relates to musical performance and is a type of social anxiety disorder. Many musicians of all ages, both professional and amateur, experience anxiety about performing and this is made worse by the presence of an audience and or judges.
"Music performance anxiety is the experience of marked and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance that has arisen through underlying biological and/or psychological vulnerabilities and/or specific anxiety-conditioning experiences.
Music performance anxiety(MPA) describes a particular state of arousal, which occurs when musicians present themselves before an audience in performance situations (Spahn, 2015). MPA is a common symptom and regularly reported by performers.
Musical performance anxiety (MPA) is defined as an experience of persistent and distressing apprehension and/or real prejudice of the performance abilities in a public context in an unjustifiable degree given the individual musical aptitude and preparation level.
Surely you will be interested
What is the definition of musical performance anxiety?
Answer will be: Musical performance anxiety is a type of anxiety experienced by some people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Musicians who experience this type of anxiety are critical and self-evaluative before, during, and after performances.
Is music performance anxiety a disorder? Response: Music performance anxiety (MPA) is considered a social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Then, What are examples of performance anxiety?
Performance anxiety symptoms may include:
- Racing pulse and rapid breathing.
- Dry mouth and tight throat.
- Trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice.
- Sweaty and cold hands.
- Nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach.
- Vision changes.
What percentage of musicians have performance anxiety?
As an answer to this: Even before the pandemic, research by Help Musicians showed that over 70% of musicians suffer from some form of anxiety, while Cannon’s own research suggests that performance fears have been exacerbated as budgets contract and mistakes grow more costly.
What is music performance anxiety?
Response: 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 causes MPA in music?
In reply to that: It may or may not impair the quality of the musical performance (Kenny, 2008). Moreover, the three causes of MPA most commonly cited by musicians are“pressure from self”, “excessive arousal”, and “inadequate preparation for performance” (Kenny et al., 2014).
Beside this, What is musical apprehension (MPa)? Answer: More recently, Kenny (2010) defined MPA as “the experience of marked and persistent anxious apprehension related to musical performance that has arisen through specific anxiety conditioning experiences, and which is manifested through combinations of affective, cognitive, somatic and behavioral symptoms” (p. 433).
Does MPa level affect performance quality?
Answer to this: The general MPA level was shown to be a predictor of more negative self-rated performance among music students performing solo [ 21 ]. Few studies have evaluated whether musicians reporting relatively lower and higher general MPA levels differ in their expert-rated performance quality, and findings have been mixed [ 3, 6, 22 ].
What is music performance anxiety? Response will be: 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 causes MPA in music? As a response to this: It may or may not impair the quality of the musical performance (Kenny, 2008). Moreover, the three causes of MPA most commonly cited by musicians are“pressure from self”, “excessive arousal”, and “inadequate preparation for performance” (Kenny et al., 2014).
Simply so, Does MPa level affect performance quality? In reply to that: The general MPA level was shown to be a predictor of more negative self-rated performance among music students performing solo [ 21 ]. Few studies have evaluated whether musicians reporting relatively lower and higher general MPA levels differ in their expert-rated performance quality, and findings have been mixed [ 3, 6, 22 ].
Is MPA a psychophysiological concomitant? Response to this: Research on the psychophysiological concomitants of MPA is scant. With regard to their subjective experience, general MPA level has been associated with significant increases in state anxiety from a private to a public performance [ 3, 7 ].