Peak Performance for Musicians
Overcome Music Performance Anxiety with Mental Game Strategies
Q: How do I not let my nerves get to me? If I feel nervous, I don’t think I can perform well and if I don't feel nervous, then I think my performance would go as I practice, but it doesn’t. What can I do? A: This is an interesting question that came in as a result of our survey on the use of mental skills. If you haven't taken the survey and would like to, it will only take a few … [Read more...]
In a recent session I conducted with performers on what they wanted out of their performances, I found that many of the performers in the group were big believers in the Perfectionists' Creed: Perfectionists' Creed: "If I try hard enough and I am very careful and I follow all of the rules, everything will go right and everyone will love me and I will feel good all of the time." In my best Dr. … [Read more...]
Musicians and performers, in general, spend hours, months, and years of their lives diligently working on technique and skills that are necessary for success in performance. We spend much more of our time practicing than we ever will performing on stage. Because of this we get really good at practicing—monitoring ourselves for correctness, at self-coaching, and at analyzing cause and … [Read more...]
Confidence—strong belief in our abilities—is something that performing musicians either have or crave. Confidence is a key mental skill in the performer’s arsenal. Performers need confidence to combat music performance anxiety and achieve peak performances. Confidence can come from a variety of sources including past practices or rehearsals and immediate past performances, but … [Read more...]
When was the last time you updated your performance resume? Likely you are in the habit of keeping your resume up to date with your most important and impressive performances listed in chronological order. Your resume is a one-page reflection of your experience and success. When was the last time you updated your music confidence resume? I daresay you probably don’t have a music … [Read more...]