Peak Performance for Musicians
Overcome Music Performance Anxiety with Mental Game Strategies
You may think that the title of this post sounds a little strange. "How do I take control of my own confidence?" Many musicians wait for the performance to begin, to see how they start to perform before they decide whether they feel good or whether they feel confident today. Yes, you read that right—I said "decide." You, and you alone, decide on and are alone responsible for your own … [Read more...]
Do you feel it in the air? The tension? The uncertainty? This is audition season and lots of musicians are beating the pavement laying it all on the line to get into college, graduate school, or win a much coveted spot in a summer music festival or program. Some are looking for professional positions in chamber groups or orchestras. There's nothing like an audition. You've spent … [Read more...]
It may begin with the letter or email notifying you of your long-awaited audition date and time. Your heart starts to pound, your throat gets tight, and suddenly your mouth feels like the Sahara Desert! It may not hit you that fast. It may wait to start on the night before the audition when you’re lying in bed. You have a hard time sleeping. Your mind begins to race and to play … [Read more...]
Oh, ok! Did you know that your confidence IS up to you and nobody else. The number one mistake many musicians make with confidence is that they do not take full responsibility for their confidence on performance, competition, or audition day. Take a moment to think about it. . . Do you have to wait until you warm up to see if it is going to be a good day? Do you have to wait until you … [Read more...]
Many of the singers I work with perform frequently in opera and musical theater. In these performances, their confidence soars and they perform with ease. These singers perform a little less frequently in recital or in concert. In these performances, some singers experience performance anxiety and experience varying confidence levels. In auditions and competitions, however, performers … [Read more...]