Coping Strategies of Music Performance Anxiety

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) puzzles lots of people for a long time, including professional musicians, students and teachers, and even children who learn music. It can affect their stage performance, daily life, and career development, often resulting in adverse outcomes. A large number of psychologists, music psychologists, and music teachers have conducted research on MPA. Through sorting and summarizing these studies, this article discusses the prevalence causes, management, and correction of MPA from various aspects. MPA can occur in any performance. While moderate tension is common and can enhance performance, excessive tension leading to anxiety is considered a psychological and behavioral disorder. The causes of MPA are complex, possibly due to inadequate preparation exercises or lack of performance experience, as well as the influence of past failures. It has varying degrees of impact on the emotional, psychological, and physiological levels of performers. In addition to existing treatment methods, including psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, body-oriented methods, and mind-oriented methods, a good educational environment and support from family and teachers also play a crucial role in helping performers develop effective self-management strategies to alleviate negative emotions and behaviors.