What is it about?
Two brief treatments, each presented in a one-day workshop, were assessed for their effectiveness in reducing performance nerves and improving performance quality. One focused on changing negative thoughts and the other on reducing one's reaction to symptoms of anxiety. Sixty-eight participants completed a questionnaire about their general anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, depression, and MPA. Participants performed four times during the study. Results showed that both interventions were effective: anxiety was reduced and performance quality improved after each intervention and changes were maintained at follow-up.
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Why is it important?
Music is a source of great enjoyment for many people but music performance can also cause anxiety and emotional distress. This study showed that a short treatment can help musicians at all levels of proficiency reduce their anxiety during music performance, thus allowing them to enjoy their music more.
Perspectives
The results of this article surprised even me! I did not think it possible to improve emotional well being during music performance in a one-day workshop. This gives hope to all those who love their music to enjoy it more by effectively managing the anxiety that is often an inevitable companion to performance.
Dianna Kenny
University of Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Development and evaluation of two brief group interventions for music performance anxiety in community musicians, Psychology of Music, May 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0305735617702536.
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