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Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is a feeling of overwhelming anxiety that can build up before a performance.

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MPA can cause psychological and physical symptoms in musicians and performers‭.‬

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How common is it?

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MPA affects musicians of all ages and ability levels‭, ‬although younger musicians tend to be more commonly affected‭.‬

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Up to 60%‭ ‬of professional musicians experience MPA‭ - ‬one-third of these musicians indicate a severe problem‭.‬

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MPA can be experienced alone or alongside existing anxiety disorders‭.‬

If you are experiencing MPA, it can present in a number of ways.

Emotional responses

  • Anxious

  • Worried

  • Irritable

  • Nervous

  • Stressed

  • Panic

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Thoughts

  • Negative expectations around your performance

  • Critical self-talk

  • Self-doubt

  • Thoughts of failure

 

Physical responses

  • Racing heart

  • Nausea

  • Tension

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Irregular breathing

Try square breathing to help reduce stress, ease anxiety symptoms and calm your mind.

  • Drugs

  • Too much alcohol

  • Too much caffeine

  • Poor sleeping and eating habits

  • Turning up late

  • Not preparing

  • Visualising and ruminating on everything that could go wrong

Use this PDF to check in with yourself before a gig, monitor your MPA, and remind yourself what you can do to manage it.

Bespoke training and support for music industry professionals.

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Acknowledge how you’re feeling

You may find it helpful to release thoughts and emotions by writing them down.

 

Shut down your inner critic

Be kind to yourself. If you find yourself lost in thoughts of self-criticism, try to shut them down as early as possible.

 

Focus on what could go right, not wrong

 

Talk to a bandmate or friend

 

Get some fresh air

 

Try a breathing exercise

e.g. square breathing

 

Try some grounding techniques

Grounding techniques can help counteract the feelings of anxiety. They can bring you back to the here and now, relax your mind, and help you gain some perspective.

 

Inhale slow, deep breaths of a pleasant smell.

 

Focus on your breathing or practise a technique, like square breathing.

 

Splash water on your face.

 

Stop and listen to the sounds around you.

 

Notice what’s around you - count or describe objects you can see

 

Dig your heels into the floor.

 

Do 30 seconds of intense exercise - get slightly out of breath.

 

Carry a grounding object in your pocket that you can touch when you feel distressed.

A range of helpful videos with techniques such as Dropping Anchor, Square Breathing, Mindfulness and more.

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