We’re back again with another post in this blog series discussing performance anxiety—most importantly, what you can do to conquer it! Yesterday, we shared some of our favorite resources for navigating performance-related nerves and heard from one of our students, Gretchen, on how she approaches performing. Today, we get to hear from cello Artis-Faculty Dr. Elizabeth Grunin, who’s impressive performance and teaching career has surely taught her a thing or two about dealing with performance anxiety. Check out Dr. Grunin’s tips below!

1. Practice performing as often as you can. Take opportunities to play for peers, teachers, community members, family and friends. Participate in recitals, master classes, studio classes, jam sessions. Ultimately, most people out there just want to hear some beautiful music. So play some music!
2. Accept that mistakes are inevitable. You will mess up! This is not a bad thing because it just proves that you’re human and that each performance is one-of-a kind experience. No two performances will every be alike. Wrong notes, memory slips, intonation issues, they don’t need to take away from the beauty of the music you make or from the triumph of your accomplishment. You just created an unforgettable, unique experience for yourself and your audience. You all just shared a moment that nobody else will ever get to repeat. Give up on the idea of a perfect performance and gain the freedom to enjoy your music making.
3. Learn to recover from “disaster”. Sometimes things really fall apart in a performance. Sometimes we have to stop and restart. It is not ideal and it does not feel good. However, it is important to be gracious and kind to yourself. Having a good attitude will make a tough situation salvageable. It’s ok to restart. Your audience is rooting for you and they believe in you. Find your bearing, try again.
4. Practice recording yourself. Something about playing for a camera makes us nervous! Most performers have a hard time recalling how they played in a performance because they were busy playing and didn’t have time to hear themselves. Listening to a recording of yourself gives you a perspective you don’t get otherwise.
5. Go to concerts! Listening and watching other performers is a great way to learn how other musicians cope with all kinds of obstacles like fly-away music and slipping cello endpins.

More resources to check out:

The Psychology of Music Performance Anxiety

This book by Dianna Kenney is the first of its kind—a rigorous and detailed explanation of music performance anxiety. In this groundbreaking work, Kenny draws on a range of disciplines including psychology, philosophy, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, and performance theory in order to explain the many facets of music performance anxiety that have emerged in the empirical and clinical literature. A must-read for older students and teachers wanting to dig into the science behind it all.

“Ten Tips on Becoming Fearless” – Article by Jeff Nelsen

Jeff Nelsen, faculty at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and hornist with the Canadian Brass, offers tips on overcoming stage fright, such as simulating the entire performance experience and accepting that “flawlessness” is not the primary goal.

Dr. David Wallace’s “CONQUER STAGE FRIGHT” YouTube Series

Dr. David Wallace, longtime faculty at the Juilliard School and Teaching Artist with the New York Philharmonic and now Chair of the String Department at the Berklee College of Music, created this awesome video series dealing exclusively with performance anxiety (also known as “stage fright”). Many of the videos also feature tips from special guest musicians! Check out the first (of 9 total!) videos below:

We hope these tips & resources are helpful—happy practicing and performing!

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