Performance Anxiety

What is "Performance Anxiety?"
Performance Anxiety is that feeling of Nervousness we get before Performing in Public. The Performing Arts (Music, Dance, etc), Sports (Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, etc), and Public Speaking (Debate Club, Giving a Speech, etc) are among the most common producers of this malaise. Anxiety (worry) is not limited to performance. We often experience it before a visit to the Dentist, or when (God Forbid!!!) we are sent to the Principal's Office, or when we are about to be Judged or Rated (Graded) in any way (like taking SAT's).
What causes it?
Our own Thinking!!! That's right - Our OWN Thinking Processes create the Anxiety, not the Event itself. This is the way it is for us Sentient Beings - Accept it. Far from being the source of even greater misery, it is the best news of all! It means that we can Pro-Actively do something about it. All good Public Performers have found personal ways to manage their own Thinking Processes and Channel all that Nervous Energy into their Performance. Rather than becoming Immobilized by the Anxiety, they Creatively Express this Energy Through their Public Performance.
 
Here are some examples of Negative Thinking which produce the Anxiety. They are all born of our own Insecurities and False Expectations.
 
    1. What if I fail. (Don't make AllState, Flunk the Test, etc)
    2. Mom/Dad/Boyfriend/Girlfriend are watching.
    3. If I make a mistake, everyone will know and will think I'm no good.
    4. The person auditioning me is a real jerk.
    5. My Band Director must notice and appreciate how talented I am.
    6. I know I'm no good and now everybody else will know too.
    7. There are thousands of people out there (it seems) and they are all staring at me.
    8. I will make a total fool of myself.
    9. I'll show them that I'm the coolest thing to ever hit this town.
    10. I have to win.
    11. I must be Perfect.
    12. Etc, Etc, Etc
 
These and countless other Negative Thoughts that produce Anxiety in ourselves are Extremely Counter-Productive and particularly Dangerous to Musicians, especially Horn Players.  Why?
 
Here are the relevant major symptoms of anxiety and their effect on Horn Players.
Physiological
    1. Increased Pulse Rate - Hyperactivity & Nervous-ness
    2. Dry Mouth - Squeaks & Blats
    3. Shallow Breathing - Lost Breath Control
Psychological
    1. Time Dilation - Tempo Problems, Rushing
    2. Inability to Concentrate - Where am I?
    3. Psychic Disturbance - Falling Apart!!!
 
Experiencing any one of these Symptoms can cause us to feel Uncomfortable. For Horn Players, it can be Disasterous.
What can we do about it? - Plenty!!!
We now know that we produce our own Anxiety. Furthermore, it is a known fact that the Conscious Mind can only Focus on One Thing at a Time. Thus the solution is found - we get "in the zone." This means to be in present moment. If you think about it, it is really all we have. The Past is a memory and can't be changed. The Future is nothing but a Projection - an Illusion. Being in the "here and now" is Reality.
Let's plug in some facts:
    1. Our Personal Worthiness is NOT determined by how well we do things, but by the quality of our hearts and the integrity of our motives.
    2. If we make mistakes, it doesn't mean that we are fatally flawed - it just means that we are human. Everybody makes mistakes, it's what we do about them that counts.
    3. Even if we don't do well (by someone else's standards), we won't die - it is the effort that counts.
    4. The only Failure is the failure to try.
    5. The Joy is in the Doing.
Suggestions for BrassWind Players.
    1. Prepare your Music/Solo thoroughly. Then you can say to yourself truthfully - I know this piece.
    2. Keep your Reeds wet (soaking in a cup if possible) until 5 minutes before you play.
    3. Drink small amounts of water.
    4. Skull Practice your music/solo.
    5. Finger your Horn without blowing.
    6. Consciously concentrate on breathing slowly and keeping the spit in your mouth.
    7. Keep your mind on the music - what is the next note, fingering, etc. Do not become distracted by anything! This is the most important technique/strategy to combat the anxiety and channel it positively.
    8. Fire the Judge - Do NOT Critique Yourself while you are actually playing. Constructive criticism is helpful after the performance; deadly while it is going on.
    9. If and when you do make a mistake, IMMEDIATELY forget about it!!! If you don't, you will make another, and another, and another... You will then fall apart.
    10. Put all irrelevant thoughts aside by redirecting your mind to the music. The applause comes later. For now, it's all about the next lick.
Conclusion:
If you stay "in the moment" as I have suggested, your Performance will be the best it can be, and you can't get better than that. Moreover, you will be Exhilarated. You will Experience the good Feelings of Accomplishment. If there are Honors to be won, you will Win them. But most of all, you will Experience the Joy of doing Music.