Gripped by fear.

The harmonica is a new venture for me. Not satisfied with not being able to play guitar particularly well, I have decided that what I need, is to add harmonica to my repertoir. I will now have to learn those Dylan classics.

 

The band MDF have regularly played 'Leaving of Liverpool' and it is one of the few that they do in the key of 'C'. In anticipation of an opportunity to join in, I have been practicing that tune quite a bit. Unfortunately, the number on offer in C this evening was 'Fields of Athenry'. It is a familiar and much loved song, but unpracticed. My first instinct was to say no thank you. What I actually said was 'I don't really know that one.' There was a slight pause before I added, 'but I'll give it a go'.

The decision made, it was time to take my place along with the band. What enabled me to 'have a go' was being comfortable with the Kilsby audience, and friend of the band. No matter how bad it went, I would survive.

I got all the right notes (mostly) but I was definitely quieter than I might have been.

After more than ten years working as a therapist, I have found that the only way to overcome performance limiting anxiety is to perform. The 'stage nerves' may never leave you, but they can be managed to the extent that performances can be enjoyed.

The basic purpose of anxiety is to protect the sufferer from danger. Physiologically this often manifests itself as many of the following symptoms:

Increased heart rate and respiration, providing extra oxygen for the muscles.
Increase in muscular tension resulting in an increase of body temperature and associated perspiration.

Singers may experience a tightening of throat muscles and vocal chords. Theory suggests that this constriction serves the protective process of preventing the person from doing the thing that they are afraid of. On my first public guitar performance I was amazed at the stiffness of my hands. The practicing at home seemed to have had little benefit. What was also interesting was the speed of my playing once I'd got started. I got faster and faster in my desire to leave the spot as quickly as possible.

There are many strategies performers can use to help them deliver a more accomplished set.
Using rehearsal imagery can reduce anxiety significantly. If you imagine performing well rather than worrying about the 'what ifs' your mindset is focussed more on the thing you want rather than the thing you don't. Regular mental rehearsal creates an expectation of success, boosting confidence and encouraging a more relaxed performance.

Breathing techniques are often used to combat panic attacks can encourage a more calm approach. In those moments before beginning it is not unusual to hold your breath. This isn't helpful. Developing a habit of a few moments of deliberate breathing, with a slightly longer outbreath than normal increases carbon dioxide levels in the blood stream and encourages parasympathetic nervous system activity, both promote relaxation.

While some of us have more tuneful voices than others, we can all benefit from learning some technique. Posture, breathing and learning how to enunciate can transform our performance and add to our confidence.

Finally, let's not forget rehearsal, preparation and practice; there is no substitute for doing it.

The not so good strategies include alcohol. A bit Dutch courage might not sound like a bad idea, but if it has inhibited the anxiety, what might it have done to the ability?
Another common stategy is one of denial (It'll be alright on the night). This tends to delay the onset of anxiety until the last minute. If you are lucky, once you get playing you'll be fine.

Perhaps the most surprising of the self-limiting strategies is perfectionism. This is counter intuitive, but the desire to do better is not the same as the demand to be perfect. At the back of your mind lurks the realisation that perfection is unattainable. Ironically, the desire for perfection can be one of the most effective triggers for anxiety.

Have fun and enjoy yourselves.