Peak Performance for Musicians
Overcome Music Performance Anxiety with Mental Game Strategies
What Mental Skills Do Performers Need and How Do They Get Them? presented at the 53rd National NATS Conference Boston, MA July 8, 2014 (click on the 4 images at the bottom to access a PDF of the Powerpoint presentation slides in 4 parts) It was great to be in Boston and participate in the 53rd National NATS Conference. As I said in my presentation, I would love to hear from you and … [Read more...]
Last time, in Five Silly Beliefs Performers Have, we discussed five silly or irrational beliefs that performers can have. Well, there are more. If these beliefs were just passing thoughts with little consequence, we wouldn’t have much to talk about, but they can have a huge effect on how you feel and definitely on how you perform. If you’re like many performers who experience … [Read more...]
Performers are no different than other people. We believe silly, even irrational things sometime. When we do, we are most likely thinking one or more of the following: “Things should (ought, must, have to) be different than they are!” “It’s awful (horrible, terrible, catastrophic) that they aren’t!” “I can’t stand it (it’s too long, too much, too big, too … [Read more...]
People will be impressed if you play or sing well, but something far more important can happen when a performer combines impressive technique with emotional truth: both the performer and the listener can be changed. This is the beauty of performing. When did performing become about playing perfectly, playing to avoid mistakes, or about something we now fear rather than enjoy? Musical … [Read more...]
In the previous posts, Are You a Mentally Tough Performer? Pt. 1 and Are You a Mentally Tough Performer? Pt. 2, we have been looking at the skills, habits, and thought processes of successful performers. What makes these performers mentally "tough" enough to withstand the pressures of performing and seemingly, fly above? In Part 1, we discussed the "basic" skills or life skills of attitude, … [Read more...]
In Are You a Mentally Tough Performer? Pt. 1 we discussed how important it is for performers to be mentally tough and that mental toughness is simply having effective mental skills that allow for fearless, exciting performing. The Level I Skills include Attitude, Motivation, Goal Setting, and Commitment—basic life habits and skills that are developed early in life. Mental Skills Needed … [Read more...]
With an important audition coming up, the following questions are often uppermost in a performer's mind—"Am I going to be ready?" and "What do I need to do to be set or prepared 'enough' for this audition?" In order to sing or play a successful audition, performers have to spend considerable time on the HOW and WHAT of their music and performing. In other words, musicians spend a great deal … [Read more...]
Performers don't hesitate to assess their musical skills as they continue to train and practice to be an excellent player or singer. It's just as important to periodically assess your mental skills in order to determine how prepared you are to move forward, to grow, and continue to evolve as an excellent and mentally strong performer. These mental performing skills include commitment, … [Read more...]
Have you had a problem performing well when you are under pressure at competitions or at auditions? Have you been so anxious before or even during a performance that it adversely affected your performing? Has your critical voice ever overpowered you with doubts and anxious thoughts? Have you ever been so concerned with what others think about your performing that you felt unable to perform … [Read more...]
After a big performance or competition, performers can feel a little let down because what they have been striving for is completed. Rather than move right on to the next goal, why not stop and assess? After a major recital, competition, or audition is an excellent time for performers to check in with how they are doing. If you're thinking, I thought that's what the performance or … [Read more...]