Wellspring Music Studio

Unfortunately using beta blockers is a normal thing in the classical music world. There are lots of reasons for this, as the article below explains, but is this really what we want our kids to grow up into?

How do we address performance anxiety through a trauma-informed lens?

We need to practice stopping associating our identity with what we are able to do. After all, if we suddenly became quadriplegic wouldn't we still have dignity and value and be worthy of love and care?

We stay curious about the mistakes we make. If we bombed a performance, we say, "huh, that was fascinating! Oh well, I still really like myself! I'm on a journey in life and I'm having a normal human experience just like anyone else would."

What goes on through your head when you are playing? Have you ever heard of metacognition? It's basically thinking about your thinking. Being aware of our thoughts and holding space for them helps us to build a trusting relationship with ourselves. We can learn to validate ourselves and not need others' approval.

Lastly, remind yourself that you are more than capable to play that run and hit those notes. You have the ability to move those fingers in that particular order, and you CAN make it happen.

Of course there is more to say on this topic, but these are just some thoughts to encourage those who need it 💜

Read the article here:

https://theviolinchannel.com/the-hidden-struggles-of-addiction-in-classical-music/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMLmAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFFUkFpSVlWb3pqMGhpNFlrAR4nXX0-z_b6O6qBQ6QaztVHtAsKJPswIFfmrwEP57gxmVUGZOhnE0N_yN3qDQ_aem_95aGM9lQXYlEtXJBqTNZJQ