Dr. Cox was assisted in his presentation by Dr. James Elswick from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Dr. Elswick played short excerpts to illustrate points made by Dr. Cox.
Accomplished performers and students alike suffer from performance anxiety. It is something universal to all performers at some time or another. Dr. Cox stated that music is symbolic,
with every note having a message. As performers, we must think about the message being presented, so that we can effectively communicate the message through our music.
Anxiety results from what is going on in the performer's mind. Dr. Cox said that everything we do is based on memory, which is developed early in life. After learning basic skills, the rest of life is spent perfecting those skills. Memory is very closely related to emotion, and an experience from years ago can come back and trigger an anxiety attack.
He went on to say that the best musicians use both parts of the brain. The left brain, or the analytical side of us, is used when learning things such as scales, double tonguing, modes, and any of the technical skills we learn. Things that become habit are left brain activities. The right side of the brain enables us to notice different styles of music, get emotional meaning from what we hear, and determine what we like and don't like. This is the side that causes us to be afraid.
It is important for the trumpet to be an extension of the musician. If that bonding has not happened, playing the horn becomes something the body will fight rather than all parts working together.
Suggestions for controlling anxiety include preparation, motivation, and purpose. Three kinds of preparation were mentioned. Physical preparation includes not just practice on the instrument, but also exercise such as running or swimming, which also help the musician learn to breathe properly. Mental preparation involves having a certain frame of mind. Ask yourself what are you thinking about. Are you trying to be the star, or trying to send a message? Are you trying to be the best player, or trying to play the best that you can? Worrying about making mistakes or having people criticize you can cause anxiety. Spiritual preparation was referred to as including emotional stability, self-confidence, and a sense of inspiration. Finding out who you are and how you're going to express yourself is essential.
Motivation can contribute to performance anxiety. Ask yourself why are you doing this? Even in a competition, for example, if the performer is trying to do his or her best rather than trying to be the best trumpet player in the competition, there is likely to be less anxiety.
Closely related to motivation is purpose. Music is a method of communication, and if you really feel the message and the trumpet is a true extension of yourself, that message can be communicated to the audience. The audience will remember the message, not the mistakes. As performers, we tend to worry about the notes, intonation, technique, etc. We should join the audience in feeling the message, rather than building anxiety by critiquing ourselves. When you must give a message, you don't have time for the anxiety. You have a job to do and you just do it. Dr. Cox said there really is no such thing as stage fright. It's not the stage we fear, it's fear of ourselves in front of an audience. When we focus on the message instead of focusing on ourselves, the anxiety is lessened.
Dr. Cox believes in a holistic concept of performance. He said if any part of the body is out of balance, this produces performance anxiety. He does not believe that using medication to control anxiety is a good solution. Many medications have undesirable side effects, and since anxiety causes our bodies to respond both physiologically and psychologically, the medication will work on only a part of what is actually a combination of factors.
Music is a powerful modifier for human behavior, affecting both the performer and the listener. Make the music part of the message you want to convey, letting it flow from the horn as an extension of your own feelings.
