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 Performance anxiety
Author: Bill 
Date:   2000-09-03 02:25

I was wondering if anyone knew of any way to help prevent performance anxiety. There is a friend of mine that says inderal works wonders for him. Have any of you heard about this prescription drug. If so, please let me know what you think. Also, I would appreciate any information that you might have on other remedies for this problem.

Thanks,

Bill

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 RE: Performance anxiety
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2000-09-03 02:29

Please check both on this BBoard (search on the BBoard) and on Sneezy for performance anxiety and on Inderal.

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 RE: Performance anxiety
Author: Bob Gardner 
Date:   2000-09-03 02:53

Inderal is a beta blocker used for the treatment of high blook pressure. i would check with my physican first before i used it. yes some people use it prior to a high strees situation

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 RE: Performance anxiety
Author: Gregory Smith 
Date:   2000-09-03 03:28



Mark Charette wrote:
-------------------------------
Please check both on this BBoard (search on the BBoard) and on Sneezy for performance anxiety and on Inderal.
********************************
I seem to remember a long discussion on this BB about this subject around the same time last year. You might also want to search under "stage fright" and "beta blockers". The discussion about these subjects became a bit contentious if I remember correctly. It is, in my experience, as clear as Mark Charette lays out the issue in his prior post. I myself have advised many students over the years regarding this issue and have had discussions with many of my colleagues regarding it. Hopefully you will benefit from these prior discussions on this BB.

Gregory Smith

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 RE: Performance anxiety
Author: Ginny 
Date:   2000-09-03 05:37

Ever fearless, I jump in. If you wish to use this drug, discuss it with a qualified professional.

My own experience is very good with beta blockers, they enabled me to get over the learned response of stage fright in large measure. I no longer use them, but seldom perform any longer. They helped me get to a point where I could enjoy playing in public, and eventually I no longer need them.

Do get qualified medical advice, however.

Ginny


Ginny


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 RE: Performance anxiety
Author: Katherine Pincock 
Date:   2000-09-03 06:08

I agree with Ginny that you should check a medical profesisonal before you consider using any kind of medication for performance anxiety. The key is to use them as Ginny did, as a tool to establish better experiences, rather than as a crutch you're dependent on.

As for other ways of dealing with performance anxiety, the best way is to perform often. This can mean anything from playing a piece through for one friend to playing a mini-recital at a school to playing in a major competition. The more often you do it, the more comfortable you'll be with the pieces. If you can arrange one, a performance class of clarinetists is a good way to practice performance; other students can be a less intimidating audience than even close friends.

I've found some yoga exercises very helpful on the day of a performance. If you do them in the morning, or a while before the performance, they can really loosen up your muscles, which I find helps break the tension. Also, any sort of regular pre-performance routine will make the day seem more familiar and therefore less threatening.

There are several good books to look for, including The Inner Game of Music (based on The Inner Game of Tennis) and A Soprano on her Head. They're worth checking out. Hope this all helps!


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