Drums & Drumming

Overcoming Performance Anxiety

Musicians who suffer exaggerated performance anxiety usually have certain feelings of inferiority. As a result, they have problems coming of their shells- of going for it without the direct result and fear of making a few mistakes. These feelings of inferiority are a direct result of how we judge ourselves. For drummers, it is usually how we judge ourselves compared to the drummer in our high school, the player in the next room at our rehearsal space, the pro in New York City, or the guy featured on your tape in the stereo.


We are who we are as individuals. each of us has a unique personality, unique preferences, and a unique way of looking at the world. This individuality applies to how we play and create music. All serious musicians are on a quest to find their own voice, their own identity on their given instrument. Don't feel inferior if you can't do something that somebody else can do. Use their inspiration as an incentive to create your own personalized lick. Try to understand what the other drummer is trying to express, and use that as a basis for what comes naturally to your playing style. Find what you can do, and build on that.

Physical manifestations of performance anxiety affect even the most experienced professionals in all fields. Stage fright is a manifestation of the fight or flight instinct we as animals are endowed with. When a person sees performance as a threat, the physiological equilibrium of his or her body is dramatically disturbed. Feeling frightened of performance triggers the instinctual "state of alert". This state causes your adrenaline to surge- with the resulting physical symptoms of performance anxiety, tense muscles, sweaty palms, increased heart beat, and nausea. Sensitive individuals who are aware of the instinctual reactions that performing might have on them are in a position to exert their own power over the situation. By realizing that performing is nothing to be afraid of, we too can exert our own power over the situation- and can minimize our stage fright anxiety.

Another line of attack is trying to influence the physical aspects of our bodies. It is necessary to combat physical tension by staying calm and relaxed. One of the easiest ways to do this is to give yourself plenty of time to set up. Don't become frazzled by breaking down the drum kit at the rehearsal space, rushing to the club, setting up, and then going through a sound check. This lack of preparation only compounded my performance anxiety. Arriving early will give you the amount of time needed to get your act together so that you can work through the following relaxation suggestions ( and whatever drum technique warm up you go through). Breathing is an effective way of calming your system. By regulating your breathing, you can influence you heart rate.

Slowing down your heart rate will relax the rest of your body. As you breathe in deeply through your nose , (exhaling through your mouth), try to concentrate on the act of relaxed breathing. When properly concentrating on this task, you are putting all the negative thoughts of performance outside your mind. I consider this a type of meditation exercise. As a variation, I sometimes try to visualize the graceful movements of playing the drum set. This visualization is done in slow motion, which reinforces the calm, relaxed state I want to achieve. Another suggestion is to run through rudiments on a pad while doing your relaxed breathing. All drummers should warm up on a pad in order to get their hands loose, and this is a great opportunity to get your playing technique prepared while calming yourself down.

Athletes stretch before competition. Performing on drums, being a physical activity, should be afforded the same type of preparation. Stretching your muscles is a perfect way to prepare yourself for playing. It also contributes to keeping your muscles from tensing up as a result of anxiety.

I can't stress enough how important it is to not get involved with your own form of drug therapy in an effort to alleviate your anxiety. A few beers might calm you down, but they can have a devastating effect on your coordination. More importantly, alcohol affects your intellectual capacity to offer the music the total expression of who you are. Drugs take you down the long unsuccessful road of mediocrity. Sobriety increases your chances in an already though business where you can use every advantage available to you.

I hope that every drummer out there can come to terms with his or her performance problems, no matter how serious or subtle. by overcoming personal barriers, we all get that much closer to reaching our highest potential. Good luck, have fun, and drum on!
 

Glenn Smith

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