Music Performance Anxiety

In The Musician's Way, veteran performer and educator Gerald Klickstein combines the latest research with his 30 years of professional experience to provide aspiring musicians with a roadmap to artistic excellence. Part I, Artful Practice, describes strategies to interpret and memorize compositions, fuel motivation, collaborate, and more. Part II, Fearless Performance, lifts the lid on the hidden causes of nervousness and shows how musicians can become confident performers. Part III, Lifelong Creativity, surveys tactics to prevent music-related injuries and equips musicians to tap their own innate creativity. Written in a conversational style, The Musician's Way presents an inclusive system for all instrumentalists and vocalists to advance their musical abilities and succeed as performing artists.

Why are some performers exhilarated and energized about performing in public, while others feel a crushing sense of fear and dread, and experience public performance as an overwhelming challenge that must be endured? These are the questions addressed in this book, the first rigorous exposition of this complex phenomenon.

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) has been proven to affect many individuals, independent of age, gender, experience and hours of practice. This book provides an excellent and updated review of the literature on the topic, including concept, epidemiology, methodical aspects and interventional studies. Suggestions of the correct use of the term MPA and the identification of necessary future studies, as well as comments on and critiques of those already published, will also be provided.

Table of contents

"The guide offers strategies for achieving performance confidence, emphasizing the relevance of mental health in teaching and performing. Through the practices of self-awareness outlined in the book, Nagel demonstrates that it is possible and desirable for teachers to assist students in developing the coping skills and attitudes that will allow them to not feel overwhelmed and powerless when they experience strong anxiety. Each chapter contains insights that help teachers recognize the symptoms-obvious, subtle, and puzzling-of the emotional grip of stage fright, while offering practical guidelines that empower teachers to empower their students."--Provided by publisher.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is the third most prevalent condition among psychiatric disorders, which has a chronic and disabling course and is highly associated with comorbidities. The onset of SAD is early and its diagnosis is underestimated by both mental health professionals and the patients themselves. A growing interest in the study of this disorder has been observed during the last decade, regarding its clinical, diagnostic and/or treatment aspects. The objective of this book is to present the scientific advances related to SAD obtained in studies by a group of Brazilian investigators involving rating and screening instruments, epidemiology, association with psychiatric comorbidities and other general medical conditions, neuroimaging, social skills and functional impairment, current parameters of pharmacological treatment, and studies involving new medications. The book is directed at students and professionals in the mental health area, and to professionals who act in the area of health prevention.

Suggests techniques for overcoming self-consciousness and improving musical performances, shares a variety of exercises, and includes advice on improving one's listening skills.

Performance Success teaches a set of skills so that a musician can be ready to go out and sing or play at his or her highest level, working with energies that might otherwise be wasted in unproductive ways. This is a book of skills and exercises, prepared by a master teacher.