How to Overcome Performance Anxiety (FOREVER)

Overcoming Performance Anxiety: A Pianist's Guide to Confidence

Whether you're preparing for a recital, competition, or simply sharing your music with friends, these strategies will equip you to play with less anxiety and more confidence.

Step 1: Understand the Physiology

Performance anxiety often manifests in physical symptoms like shaky hands, rapid heartbeat, or sweaty palms. But guess what? These reactions are completely normal and stem from your body's fight or flight response. Picture yourself as a cave person standing in an open field, vulnerable to potential threats. Your body's instinct to protect itself kicks in, flooding your system with adrenaline. Similarly, when you're about to perform, your brain perceives the situation as risky, triggering those familiar sensations of nervousness.

Recognizing this physiological response is the first step towards overcoming performance anxiety. It's not about eradicating nervousness entirely, but rather understanding and managing it effectively. By normalizing these feelings, you'll realize that countless musicians share your experience. You're not flawed; you're human.

Step 2: Set Yourself Up for Success

Empower yourself with calming strategies that alleviate anxiety. Deep breathing exercises are a tried-and-true method for calming nerves. Practice inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly to regulate your heart rate and promote relaxation. Additionally, replace negative self-talk with affirming messages. Banish thoughts like "What if I mess up?" and replace them with "I am prepared, I am capable."

Step 3: Have Strategies in Place

Accept that unexpected mishaps are inevitable in any performance. Rather than striving for perfection, focus on resilience. Develop contingency plans for common performance pitfalls, such as memory slips or wrong notes. By anticipating challenges and devising solutions, you'll feel more confident and prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

Bonus Tip: Practice Memorization

Even if you don't plan to perform from memory, practicing memorization deepens your connection to the music. It enhances your understanding of the piece, fostering confidence and fluency in your performance. Dive into the nuances of your music and strengthen your repertoire by embracing memorization as a valuable skill.

Overcoming performance anxiety is not about eradicating nerves but learning to navigate them with grace and resilience. By understanding the physiology, setting yourself up for success, and preparing for the unexpected, you'll transform your performance experience. Embrace these strategies, and watch your confidence soar on and off the stage.

To see how to practice this method, check out the full length tutorial on the YouTube channel where you’ll see this in action. 👇🏻