How to Overcome Musical Performance Anxiety?

Written by: Harmandeep Kaur Grewal – MA (Psychology)
Last updated date : February 06, 2023

Have you witnessed a situation when you panicked on stage? You are about to sing a song but you shut yourself in the bathroom to avoid being on stage. Also, you feel so overwhelmed that you fumble and hesitate to perform. So you are suffering from performance anxiety. You should fear or be anxious to be considered performance anxiety. But, your anxiety should not be temporary or due to other illnesses. Now, you should know how to overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all around the world.

Additionally, you have become dependent on medicine to treat anxiety. Because you cannot live without medicine. Your dependence on the medicine has made it difficult to withdraw. So, you need medical help. Therefore, you need to control the anxiety before it grows out of proportion. You should be ready to face your fears without the use of medicine. Moreover, there must a reason why your performance anxiety started. You need to find the reason for your fears and work on managing the anxiety. For instance, your anxiety comes from your experience. You have fainted one time, and now you cannot forget that incident and you keep fearing that you will faint. Moreover, when you hear about performing on stage, you feel dizzy. And your heartbeat rises and you become tense. Hence, you need help from a therapist.


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Chapter 1:

How to Overcome Musical Performance Anxiety?

You can opt for various ways to deal with the anxiety that you face. For instance, your anxiety is manageable so you undergo therapy. And learn to calm down on stage with the help of a therapist. In contrast, if you feel that no therapy worked for you then your doctor will recommend a doctor. And the psychiatrist will decide if you need medicine for your anxiety. Moreover, if you can be treated with relaxation therapy then there will be no need for medicines. How do overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all the time. And you can learn to deal with your anxiety by relaxing your mind.

Furthermore you can use some tricks that will help you overcome performance anxiety.

  • You can focus on one person or spot when you are on stage and ignore others. If you are going to get distracted with hate or negative comments from the audience then you are bound to get nervous. So, get your focus right. You can concentrate on the positive things around you. And you need to keep calm and relax.
  • Secondly, you need not be too serious. You can laugh and relax when you get a chance.
  • Thirdly, no matter how much nervous you are, you should look best. When you look good then you will feel good.

Chapter 2:

Symptoms of Performance Anxiety

How to overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all the time. And you can learn to deal with your anxiety by relaxing your mind.
  • First of all, you will experience body symptoms such as an increase in heart rate, increased breathing, tension in muscles, dry throat, sweating, and so on. Moreover, your legs and hands shake with anxiety. And you cannot focus.
  • Secondly, you cannot remember the song which you need to sing. Your anxiety overwhelms you and you lose focus. Your mind goes blank and you feel dizzy. Moreover, you are in a state of getting faint on the stage.
  • Thirdly, you avoid going on the stage altogether. And try to escape from performing.

Chapter 3:

Causes of Performance Anxiety

You know there are a number of causes of performance anxiety. Moreover, how to overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all the time. When you know the cause then you can deal with it properly.
  • When you put unrealistic goals for yourself then it can cause nervousness. You need to be kind to yourself. If you push yourself too much then you cannot achieve it. You need to keep small goals and try to achieve them.
  • Moreover, you have attention to negative things. You need to know that people do not care much. So, your anxiety is getting out of proportion. You need to calm down and relax. People just come to enjoy your song. Moreover, the high expectations that your fans have from you can cripple you sometimes. Many artists as you know fall victim to anxiety when you realize that they have to come up with h expectations of everyone.
  • Furthermore, if you get nervous in presence of a lot of many people then you will face stage or performance anxiety. Moreover, you have to perform in front of a lot of people so be prepared.
  • Additionally, your performance anxiety can come from a lack of preparedness. If you did not get the time to practice then you will forget and fumble. You should be thoroughly prepared.

Chapter 4:

Dealing With Performance Anxiety

Dealing with your performance anxiety is not easy. And how to overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all the time. And you can learn to deal with your anxiety by relaxing your mind. You can learn to look at the opmistic viewpoint. First of all, breathe properly. Your breathing should be steady so that your mind or brain keeps on getting the oxygen that it needs. You can focus on fans who seem to show positive energy or gestures toward you. So, you will feel calm and relaxed. Furthermore, you need to accept that you have problems with anxiety. Now that you are aware then learn to deal with this anxiety by relaxing and calming down. You need to get all thoughts related to negativity aside and move forward with your show. Remember that now is everything for you and the past or future is not important at this time. Your fans love you and accept you the way you are. You should not be nervous in front of them. They care for you that is why they spend money on your concert. So, you have some responsibility to deliver your best. But you cannot force yourself if you feel sick. You can talk to a therapist about your thoughts. Moreover, cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful in many cases. Your negative thought pattern needs to be changed to positive thoughts. Therefore, you look at the bright side of the event. Also, stop comparing yourself to other singers. And if you compare then you will automatically feel scared and nervous.
Relaxation Methods
Many people ask on how to overcome musical performance anxiety? Artists deal with performance anxiety all the time. And you can learn to deal with your anxiety by relaxing your mind. You can take help of relaxing methods to deal with your anxiety. Moreover, be patient as anxiety will gradually disappear. First of all, use the help of mindfulness. Your mind should be present at the moment and forget about everything else. So, clear your mind of any thoughts and then focus. Also, accept that you have an anxiety problem. When you will accept that you are not perfect or no one is perfect you will feel better. Moreover do not let expectations of other people hinder your performance in any way. You can give your best and the rest is on the audience. Also, you cannot worry about things that are not in your hands. For more information, please click “Courses” on the navigation bar to access our self-paced online courses on mental health and well-being. The course titled “DBT for Social Anxiety” will be useful to provide more information on the topic.

"Learnt a lot from this course" Sally

51 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount