by Inman Hebert
Whether playing for juries, recitals, or even important concerts, many collegiate horn players have felt the effects of performance anxiety. Symptoms may include dry mouth, shaking muscles, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, and more. Experiencing performance anxiety is perfectly normal; however, learning how to prepare for and manage nerves is critical to the evolution of horn students in elevating our performances.
Musical preparation and visualization are the initial steps to managing anxiety. If a student cannot play a piece consistently in the practice room, no amount of managing nerves will overcome poor preparation. After a piece becomes second nature, performing the music in our practice sessions, including others (fellow students, for example) as our audience, and being creative in simulating performance conditions can give us the confidence to perform under pressure. Aside from regular musical preparation, visualization of successful performances can also help mitigate anxiety. Imagine warming up pre-performance, stepping on stage, and playing the music. These steps can make a performance feel familiar instead of foreign, and this helps a horn player stay focused in the moment which leads to more success.
Recognizing and accepting performance anxiety symptoms as our body’s normal reaction to pressure allows us to refocus our energy on coping strategies. Physically, hydrate with water and limit caffeine intake the days before a performance since caffeine can raise adrenaline levels and worsen the effects of stress. Anxiety can trigger dry mouth, muscle tension, and shallow breathing; however, incorporating stress reduction techniques into our pre-performance can alleviate these symptoms. Stretching releases tension and helps improve posture. Deep breathing lowers our heart rate and blood pressure, and reduces stress hormones. Airflow is foundational to our horn playing. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and connect to the present moment.
Mentally, reframe your emotions and develop mindfulness. Interpret your anxiety as excitement, and create a mental checklist of positive performance memories. Hear the music in your head and remember how you want it played. Having the right mindset before and during the performance can help mitigate anxiety. Accepting that mistakes may happen, not all performances will go well, and perfection is unrealistic helps us not to panic and to stay in the moment. Instead of dwelling on a mistake just made, an upcoming phrase, or pending feedback, refocus on the present. Your audience will most likely appreciate your authentic self who communicates a convincing musical message over technical perfection.
Many horn professionals share experiences of overcoming performance anxiety. As horn students, we cannot see anxiety as taboo. Instead, we must view it as another area to navigate. With proper mental and physical preparation tools, we can manage performance anxiety, allowing our musical selves to shine.
