Tremble...tremble...tremble..., Controlling nerves Options

[Christian]

Excuse my ignorance on the matter here, but isn't it kind of like steroids and athletics, except legal? I don't know. Personally I would like to do it "on my own" without medical aid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) There seems to be more sense of accomplishment then. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[helly burnet]

I don't believe so. Beta blockers don't enhance your performance in any way, as steroids do. All they do is help you do what you know you can do at home in a very stressful situation. In my case, having had such a positive experience playing during that exam without shaking hands has given me confidence, and hopefully got me over that nervous reaction that I had gone through before. Surely that is a good thing ?

[anacrusis]

Excuse my ignorance on the matter here, but isn't it kind of like steroids and athletics, except legal? I don't know. Personally I would like to do it "on my own" without medical aid. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) There seems to be more sense of accomplishment then. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Beta-blockers may be prescribed for anxiety states, and no, it isn't in the slightest bit like steroids and athletics. They aren't safe for everyone to use, which is why a medical opinion must be sought, but for those who can take them safely, and who suffer from the sort of anxiety which actually gets in the way of activities like exams or performances, they can be a boon. Some artists won't use them because they feel the beta-blockers may get in the way of the most inspiring performances, but severe anxiety has a much more negative effect.
It is difficult to draw any sort of conclusion from only one individual's experiences, but for what it is worth, I had great difficulties in playing to people, even in small numbers. It was only as the rest of life happened, and I started to realise how odd musical mistakes really don't add up to much in the grand scheme of things, that I began to relax enough to be able to perform and let the music get out. Exposure to performing most certainly doesn't do it for everyone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Patricia]

Hi everyone!

Just had a students' concert on Sunday. As usual, they braved their way up stage to perform with many of them making mistakes that they do not usually make in class.

Reminded them to breathe 'consciously' when they feel nervous. Did success visualisation with them. Asked them to imagine playing at home when on stage etc....

People tell me that the more times a pianist plays on stage, the more calm she/he will be. I've a pupil who has been performing at least 2 concerts per year for the last 6 years still made many mistakes & stumbles on Sunday. Could anyone share with me what I've missed out? What do you usually tell your pupils to think psychologically before a performance or exam?

A pupil can play so well in class & once on stage, the whole piece goes hay-wired.

I'm havivig a bit of difficulty working out how to reply - hope this works! (I just clicked on reply, but did not intend to quote the whole entry that I'm replying to!) Anyway, what I wanted to say was: Have you ever tried beta-blockers? I'm not a medical person and don't know about their suitability for children, but they are great for an adult. I used to shake, sweat and be unable to find middle c, which is all due to too much adrenalin. The way beta-blockers ("propranalol") work is to keep a lid on your adrenalin levels, without affecting your central nervous system in the way the that alcohol would. (I tried that one too - you're less nervous, but you can't play, and don't care!) I asked my doctor for something before I did my diploma exam, and this is what she prescribed; apparently they're commomly used for panick attacks, job interviews, etc. If you take one or two 10mg tablets about an hour before a performance, you will feel no effects whatsoever, but can rest assured that your heart won't race uncontrollably, you won't shake, etc - i.e. all the physical effects of nerves. I gradually wittled myself down to 1 1/2 tablets, then 1, then 1/2, and now I don't need them at all - they got me over a big psychological hurdle.

[iridium77]

Beta-blockers may be prescribed for anxiety states, and no, it isn't in the slightest bit like steroids and athletics. They aren't safe for everyone to use, which is why a medical opinion must be sought, ...

Beta-blockers are prescription-only medication so you can't legally get them without a medical opinion. They do seem to work well though (if you have access to it, C.O. Brantigan, T.A Brantigan, N. Joseph Americal Journal of Medicine 1982 72 88-94). They have a fairly severe list of potential side effects and interactions, so you really should think about it carefully though.

There's quite a lot of information here and an interesting newspaper article here about beta blockers in the treatment of performance anxiety.

[sarah-flute]

I gradually wittled myself down to 1 1/2 tablets, then 1, then 1/2, and now I don't need them at all - they got me over a big psychological hurdle.

I think that's probably the most beneficial thing about beta blockers, that they can allow you to play without excessive nerves and without medication.

[iridium77]

I think that's probably the most beneficial thing about beta blockers, that they can allow you to play without excessive nerves and without medication.

But beta-blockers are medication... They're powerful drugs that fundamentally affect the way that your body responds to one of the key hormone systems.

I'm of the belief that performance anxiety is a self-fulfilling prophecy. We get stressed, we don't play so well, so we worry more about it next time, so we get more stressed and so on. If taking a beta-blocker can break this cycle, then that is a good thing.

[miochy]

I think that's probably the most beneficial thing about beta blockers, that they can allow you to play without excessive nerves and without medication.

But beta-blockers are medication... They're powerful drugs that fundamentally affect the way that your body responds to one of the key hormone systems.

I'm of the belief that performance anxiety is a self-fulfilling prophecy. We get stressed, we don't play so well, so we worry more about it next time, so we get more stressed and so on. If taking a beta-blocker can break this cycle, then that is a good thing.

Yes, you are so right about hormones. Some people get more nervous than others. These people obviously have a higher level of a stress inducing hormone....fight or flight...survival basically. It is our good friend , adrenaline. It's like a roller coaster...you are too scared to go on, but get some sort of thrill by doing it.

If you take something that helps to supress this hormone, by calming the heart beat down with appropriate knock on effects through the body, then it must be a good thing.

If you don't get an excessive hormone rush during the performance (which then triggers the fight/flight instinct), then you don't need it.

It doesn't make you a better or worse musician...it's a case of just getting through it, without the nerves trying to ruin it for you.

Most performers get very nervous before, but seem to enjoy it once it's underway. I won't go into what rock stars do to get them through performances, but I think beta blockers are the least of our problems!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[anacrusis]

Beta-blockers may be prescribed for anxiety states, and no, it isn't in the slightest bit like steroids and athletics. They aren't safe for everyone to use, which is why a medical opinion must be sought, ...

Beta-blockers are prescription-only medication so you can't legally get them without a medical opinion. They do seem to work well though (if you have access to it, C.O. Brantigan, T.A Brantigan, N. Joseph Americal Journal of Medicine 1982 72 88-94). They have a fairly severe list of potential side effects and interactions, so you really should think about it carefully though.

I know that! I also know that there are many well-meaning but misguided individuals who might offer their own medication to "help" others - it happens all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[helly burnet]

It is absolutely essential that you are checked by your doctor for beta blockers, never accept any one else's tablets, or acquire them in any other way. When you have taken just 10mg you cannot feel your pulse or your heart beat, it is really weird. Also, don,t drink too much wine after taking them - I had a massive headache the next day.

[sarah-flute]

I think that's probably the most beneficial thing about beta blockers, that they can allow you to play without excessive nerves and without medication.

But beta-blockers are medication... They're powerful drugs that fundamentally affect the way that your body responds to one of the key hormone systems.

I'm of the belief that performance anxiety is a self-fulfilling prophecy. We get stressed, we don't play so well, so we worry more about it next time, so we get more stressed and so on. If taking a beta-blocker can break this cycle, then that is a good thing.

If you would actually read the post I was quoting, that was exactly my point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[miochy]

It is absolutely essential that you are checked by your doctor for beta blockers, never accept any one else's tablets, or acquire them in any other way. When you have taken just 10mg you cannot feel your pulse or your heart beat, it is really weird. Also, don,t drink too much wine after taking them - I had a massive headache the next day.

Yes..very true and very important, as they are affecting the pulse of the heart.

Many people have heart murmers or problems they don't know about.

For me...it's don't drink too much wine full stop...headaches just love me after wine...and sometimes during! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Katie1989]

I used to have horrendous nerves, even with little cafe concerts where the coffee machines make so much noise no-one could probably here me anyway! Anyway, it changed when I managed to play a Bach courante I think it was, 1st page fine, 2 nd page looked up and realised it was upside down (why you shouldn't play form a photocopy) so had to stop half way through get laughed at and turn it around! Anyway, it made me realise what's the worst that could happen? That you stop and have to start again after a couple of deep breathes, that's not that bad! At least for smaller concerts etc. I think this combats the hours of feeling sick before.

I still feel nervous when I actually get up there, but if your smiley and hide it well you start to hide it from yourself almost, and as it's said before the better prepared you are the less reasons you have to be nervous and even if you are you can easily overcome it. Plus, nerves can make a performance, instead of a practice, they make you focus I guess.