Finding effective and practical techniques to lower musical performance anxiety.

Abstract

This study focused on musical performance anxiety and techniques to lower it. Five female collegiate music majors participated in training sessions on three specific anxiety lowering techniques: deep breathing, the Alexander Technique, and progressive muscle relaxation. Directly prior to their solo recital performances, each participant chose a technique to use to lower their anxiety. Measures consisted of an intake survey, a pre-recital survey, and a post-recital survey. The results of this study showed that the deep breathing technique was the most appealing and practical technique to perform prior to an anxiety-inducing musical situation.