Shaking, Sweating, forgetfulness, nausea; these are all different symptoms of the illness known as “performance anxiety”. Performance anxiety, also known as stage fright, is a common aspect of any performance whether it’s music, acting, or even a speech during a meeting. All musicians get some degree of performance anxiety and it is perfectly natural to feel this way. In this guide, I will give my perspective as a concert classical/flamenco guitarist, and answer the most frequently asked questions I get about performing!
Why Should I Perform My Music?
Everyone likes music! Humans have an innate ability to love music. Look at any baby or toddler when music comes on the radio; they will immediately try to dance or move in some way to the rhythm. Even if people don’t understand how music works, they want to hear talented musicians, A.K.A YOU!
Performing music for others puts our skills to the ultimate test. During a performance, we are put under an incredible amount of stress. Our minds are racing and our hearts are pumping, yet we have to suppress that and play beautiful music. Being able to perform in a public setting allows us to control our faults and anxiety.
Think of it like this; martial artists (including myself), will spar with other martial artists. Even though martial artists are peaceful and don’t want to fight, we fight to challenge our bodies and minds. A big challenge of sparring in martial arts is “can I remain calm and focused in this time where someone else is attacking me?”
Performing music is exactly the same as this! Can we remain calm and focused when all eyes are on us and everyone is listening to us quietly? If you can overcome the performance, nothing can stop you!
I Have Performance Anxiety! How Can I Overcome This?
I know it’s hard to believe, but even I have stage fright to this day; even professionals get it. Everyone has different ways of showing anxiety, but we don’t have to let those feelings control us or our performance, and every one of us can find ways of overcoming performance anxiety. Here are a few philosophies to keep in mind…
If you are feeling anxious, that means you truly care about your art! You are worried about not playing correctly, which shows you are serious about making a good impression and being a good musician.
BREATHE! We have a habit of becoming tense in a performance due to our anxiety. Before you start playing, analyze your mentality. Am I tense? Am I slouching? Are my shoulders shrugged and tight? While you are preparing, take slow and deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale out your mouth. Do this at least 4 times!
The audience is there to hear you and have a good time. Many musicians have a mentality that the whole audience is there to judge them. Of course, this is entirely false! Think of it like when you go to a movie theater. You buy your ticket with your hard-earned money, and are there to enjoy the film. You are not there for other people in the theater, but for yourself and your own amusement. It’s the same with your audience because they came to listen to music and are there for their enjoyment only.
Music is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give to someone. You are putting yourself on the line in a situation where you are at your most vulnerable. Unconsciously, the audience knows this and appreciates you because of your bravery to play for them. Remember the movie theater scenario where they are at the gig for their “selfish” reason of wanting to have a good time, but it is your SELFLESS act of playing for them that is so beautiful to them. Remember that you never know who in the audience is in desperate need of your music. Someone going through a rough patch in life, someone who lost someone close to them, or someone going through a depressed stage and is in need of a smile.
People will appreciate you even if you make mistakes! Believe it or not, people prefer when some mistakes are made because it shows you are human! We are not faultless machines and we never will be. It’s ok to not be perfect! Work through the mistakes and keep the music flowing!
How Can I Start Performing?
Start small! If you are nervous or shy about performing but want to start overcoming your performance anxiety, begin by playing for only one person. It can be anyone; a parent, a close friend, or even a pet at home. You also don’t have to create a major performance, meaning you can do something as simple as playing a couple of new chords you learned that week to your chosen audience! The point is to do something while eyes and ears are on you. You can also try recording yourself on video with a cellphone, since the camera can also be considered a pair of eyes on you.
I’m Ready to Try Performing! Any Tips?
Of course! Here are 10 easy tips you can start using right away for your next performance!
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Eat something beforehand.
- Briefly look over your music beforehand.
- Practice your breathing; in through the nose, out through the mouth!
- Say “I am the best”!
- Stretch your hands and body before performing.
- Stay hydrated!
- Walk out confidently and smile at your audience!
- Own any mistakes you make! Don’t stop the music if you mess up!
- Thank your audience when you are finished!
I now challenge you to go out there and play for at least one person. Use my tips and see how you feel, and if these help in overcoming performance anxiety. You will get better each time you perform. Good luck!
Want more detailed performance tips and some of my personal stories? Check out this 30-minute video I made for my former high school students on performance here:
Zach Deyo