EXPERIENCING MUSIC PERFORMANCE VERSUS ANXIETY

Authors: Rita Mardhatillah Umar Rauf, Nurulhamimi Abdul Rahman & Adee Arifin

ABSTRACT

Recently, studying music as formally is one of the high demanding fields in Malaysia. Evidently, the number of candidates undertaking music examinations is very high compared to many other countries (Cheah, 2012). Regardless of musical genre, a musician is the person responsible for performing and delivering the message of the music to the listener. Performance anxiety is affected at this level depending on the individual’s ability to control. It may takes months, days or minutes prior to an actual performance and anxiety is not limited to public performances. It can be experienced by a performer who is asked to perform by family members, friends, or instructors. Performance anxiety exists on a continuum and is not an all or nothing construct (Steptoe). Moreover, different performers may experience anxiety to varying degrees and it can impact a performer’s affect, cognition, behaviour, and physiology. In this situation, the result from anxiety may reduce the enjoyment when performing and somehow may cause the successful musicians to quit from performing. Unless the musician finds a way to cope effectively with debilitating performance anxiety, the anxiety can interfere with performance potential (Green & Gallwey, 1986).

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