Piano: managing performance anxiety (levels 5-8)

What is the course about?

This two-hour class will unpack the psychology behind performance and explore the strategies we can adopt to help manage nerves as pianists, allowing us to perform with more confidence.
Tutor Lorraine Augustine has a wealth of experience in performance psychology and regularly coaches pianists in the subject at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She holds a PG Cert in Performance teaching and numerous qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring, accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.

What will we cover?

- Definitions and Symptoms of performance anxiety: We will discuss the definition and origins of/reasons for, performance anxiety, the physical symptoms and common feelings associated with it.
- Causes: We will explore factors that may contribute to performance anxiety (e.g., fear of judgement, perfectionism, external and internal factors, not knowing the repertoire well enough).
- Mental Exercises: We will discuss visualisation and positive affirmation, and explore relevant literature around this often dismissed and overlooked topic.
- Practical Strategies: We will explore the benefits of mindfulness, preparation in the build up to the performance, breathing and relaxation exercises, building a supportive community for ‘safe’ and informal performance opportunities. Students will have the opportunity to play a short piece, a phrase or even just a bar of music if they wish.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Understand why we feel anxious when we perform and how this can affect our ability as performers.
- Have a personal ‘tool box’ of practical strategies you can use and experiment with to try and cope with performance anxiety in your lessons at City Lit and beyond.
- Understand that performance anxiety is very common and how even seasoned professionals are affected.
- To begin to ‘normalise’ performance.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for pianists from levels 5-8 standard. For maximum benefit you should be able to play a short piece, phrase, or even just a bar of music to the group and be prepared to engage in discussion.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Tuition will be in a workshop format. There will be tutor demonstration, group listening/discussion and an opportunity to volunteer to play and share your thoughts and feelings about performance anxiety. Further reading will be recommended by the tutor.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

If you wish to play in the class, please email Lewis Kesterton, Co-ordinator for Piano and Keyboards, to advise your repertoire choices in advance, and bring two hard copies of your music to the workshop. Please bring a notebook to make notes of any suggestions.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

It would be helpful to start thinking about opportunities to attend other workshops and courses and to practice performance as often as you can, perhaps starting in a very informal way with friends/family/other people in your piano class or joining/starting up a piano meetup group.