Rapidly-racing heartbeat and sweaty palms are symptoms most musicians experience at one point or another. Stage fright is certainly no fun.
But a recent study aims to shift the perception of these all-too-familiar feelings of stress. The idea: overcoming stage fright is as simple as thinking of it as your ally!
The study, led by Jeremy Jamieson, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Rochester, asked participants to give a 5-minute presentation, with little preparation time. Half were given information about the biological benefits of stress, and encouraged to interpret physical symptoms of anxiety as helpful to their performance. The other half were given no information.
The research found that subjects in the first group – even those with a history of social anxiety – reacted more calmly to common “threats,” such as a scowling or unresponsive audience.
Typically, our brains are programmed to believe our pounding hearts and sweaty hands are warning signs of a looming traumatic experience. But Jamieson’s research deconstructs this very idea, giving victims of stage fright the chance to claim back what is rightfully theirs; in the case of musicians, complete control of the stage.
So what’s the trick? Stage fright, Jamieson argues, does not magically disappear overnight. Instead, in order to conquer and overcome stage fright like rock stars means we need to start reframing the physical reactions. How does this translate to your next music performance, audition, or recital? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Mind over matter
Your mind is your most powerful tool! One way musicians can keep their cool is to stay confident and optimistic. Think of each performance as a learning opportunity, no matter how good the performance goes. You can also practice visualization techniques before you even get up on stage.
- Educate yourself
Education and preparation are key. Those participants who were prepared and educated on the advantages of stress were able to cope better with the “frightening” task of public speaking than the group that was given no knowledge about reframing their stress to their advantage. The physical reactions you encounter are simply signs of your body preparing for a demanding task – one you’re about to do great at! Take that energy and throw it all into your performance.
- And remember: You have all the power!
The bottom line rests in the association between stage fright and stress, and the frequency of the negative connotation attached with stress. What we really should be doing is giving stage fright a new meaning and remembering that stress can indeed improve our performance. If musicians are able to bring about about a new idea of stage fright, one that implies benefits and rewards, then a new connotation is born and you’ll be able to take control of those nerves.
Who would have known that a small change in a thought process could really make a large difference for those who could potentially fall prey to stage fright?
You might also like…
– Overcoming Stage Fright: 4 Important Steps
– It’s Time to “Spring Clean” Your Music Goals!
– How to Handle Roadblocks in Your Music Lessons
Photo by familymwr
Suzy S.