Nerves and Tension in Performance

Its performance day, maybe an audition or an exam, or just a gig at which you want to perform your best. You're confident - you've practised hard, worked on every aspect of your performance and are ready for what lies ahead. Day after day in the practice room, you have given perfect rendition after perfect rendition of your material; but when you get onto the stage, you arms freeze up, your mind goes blank, and it all falls apart. You walk away feeling disappointed. Maybe you performed well, but not as well as you had hoped. You wonder how it happened!!

First of all, don't worry - we've all been there! Nerves, performance anxiety and tension are the biggest obstacles for the developing performer. In this article, I explore the causes, effects and solutions to this common problem.

Everyone suffers from nerves. For some people it is just fuel for the engine, for others it can be totally debilitating. It all depends on how the individual responds to the challenge. Nervousness and performance anxiety begins with the mind. In preparing for a notable performance, we all envisage the possibility of failure, of not meeting our expectations. However, it is not this psychology that directly affects our ability to perform, but how it affects the practice-performance cycle.

An effective performance is the final product of thorough preparation. If negative thoughts start too early in the preparation process, or the process is started too late, it can impact negatively on the practice routine and by extension, the performance. If negative thoughts are regularly associated with certain practice patterns or pieces, over time these thoughts will be habitualised in tandem with the physical element of practice. This means that when you finally do get to the stage, tension may inhibit you, stopping you from executing more difficult passages when you need to. The damage doesn't stop here - negative psychology in practice will actually affect the quality of the work done. This could be described as the cycle of negative reinforcement, and is characterised by;

• An intense sense of unease or frustration while practising.

• Not allowing adequate rest time between exercises.

• A gradual build up of tension in the limbs and body over the course of the practice routine.

• Practising passages too quickly, or without proper consideration.

• Seeking positivity: Ignoring challenging passages and focussing on more easily accomplished goals. Aimless practice.

• A sense of helplessness. Wanting to give up.

Once begun, this cycle is very difficult to break. Here are some solutions I personally have found to be effective at breaking fear-based practice;

• Calm down. If you sense a build up of frustration walk away from the instrument, take some deep breaths and relax! Habitualising a positive state of mind is key to breaking the negative cycle.

• Inadequate rest time is commonly a problem in the context of practising difficult passages or technical exercises. After one cycle of practising the problem, ensure that you take your hands away from the instrument, take a deep breath and mentally run through the procedure in your head. Repeat the process.

• Habitualising tension is the worst possible outcome of practice. Take plenty of breaks and walk around the room. Stretch. Ensure that you stop and breath after every exercise. Constantly asses your stress levels during your practise.

• Tension in practice leads to a misplaced desire to get things done, FAST! Don't rush your exercises. Remember, speed and dexterity comes naturally over time, but good technique takes work. Practise slowly and wisesly. Four slow, accurate repetitions are far more effective that 20 fast and mistimed ones.

• Don't fear your weaknesses, overcome them. You should be practising things that you can't play, not things that you already can play.

• Don't worry! Music is FUN!!!! If you are too worried to practise, don't!

Hopefully this article has answered some questions you may have had. If you have any questions about this topic, or would like to find out more about fear-based practice and overcoming tension, please do get in touch.

Tom