<p>I just got off the phone with my good friend whose son is a great tuba player (really, really good). He suffers from audition anxiety. His mom says starts to shake and run out of air every time he sits down in an audition situation. He's a wonderful player (he was on the tour we just came from and he has a great sound) but my friend is wondering whether he should think of something else to do with his life. He wants to take beta blockers(!) I told her I'd throw the question open to the experts on this forum. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>symphonymom- My gut tells me no to the beta blockers but that's me.</p>
<p>Fortunately, mine never suffered from either pre-audition or pre-performance anxiety (now post performance self evaluation angst is a different scenario altogether) but I've come across some info over time.</p>
<p>Here's one way of dealing with it: <a href="http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/viola/message/33568%5B/url%5D">http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/viola/message/33568</a></p>
<p>Give me some time and I'll try to pull some more together for you.</p>
<p>Take a look at the "Audition Tips & Info" sticky thread at top of page... there might be something in there.</p>
<p>And here: <a href="http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/%7Enavmusic/pursuing/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~navmusic/pursuing/index.html</a></p>
<p>The first two links here under "Performance" <a href="http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/%7Enavmusic/tools/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~navmusic/tools/index.html</a></p>
<p>And here:<a href="http://www.hornplayer.net/archive/a25.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.hornplayer.net/archive/a25.html</a></p>
<p>Hi Symphonymom,</p>
<p>This kind of anxiety is a consequence of the sympathetic nervous system, and as such, is not something that he will be able to control. Beta blockers may be a good solution for him; and their use is ubiquitous among musicians that share the same crippling problem. Many musician, whether they need to or not, have at least tried a beta blocker at some point. In a performance, worrying about 'the shakes' is the last thing people should have to think about.</p>
<p>You should advise your friend's son to make an appointment with the doctor. Explain the situation and he will write a prescription for a non specific beta blocker. This will probably be either Inderol or Propanelol. </p>
<p>I myself have tried this once before. I never really have had a problem with shaking, but I did feel slightly more relaxed than usual, though I also had the slight feeling of being detached from the music.</p>
<p>Thanks, Viola Dad...My kids perform so much, they don't seem to suffer from it either (and I'm keeping my fingers crossed). Notice how this article mentions Inderol...I agree, it's scary to think of kids on drugs for ANY reason. I've known this kid since he was in preschool, so I'd like to help him. I will forward the article to him. I think he's tried visualizations and other things to calm him down, but nothing is apparently working. I thought just more performing might be an answer...that and practicing auditions with screens and people in the audience. I prescribed 20 practice auditions. His mom said she thought he was very well prepared for the auditions but something happens to him when he walks into the room. I feel for him...</p>
<p>Gagliano...is it safe for kids? He's a big kid (of course), but he's only seventeen....</p>
<p>Great sites, Viola dad!!! Thanks!!! And thanks Gagliano....</p>
<p>symphonymom-</p>
<p>I will not comment on beta blockers as I'm not medically qualified to do so, but here's an info link that offers a bit of the pros & cons. <a href="http://www.ethanwiner.com/BetaBlox.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ethanwiner.com/BetaBlox.html</a></p>
<p>A simple google search brings up tons of "performance anxiety" linnks.</p>
<p>Personally, there's a number of non-drug techniques that I'd try first, and look at the beta-blockers as means of last resort under the proper medical supervision.</p>
<p>symphonymom,</p>
<p>If he doesn't have Asthma, then a beta blocker is a perfectly safe solution. My girlfriend is a board certified pharmacist, she is medically qualified and agrees. </p>
<p>This is a trusted medical sight with information on Propanolol.</p>
<p>There is no reason to treat the use of this drug as a parallel to an athlete using steroids. The web page that violadad supplied a link to has good and accurate information. It sums up the reason for your fear of having the kid subscribe to the drug in the first sentence:</p>
<p>"Beta blockers have been called "the musicians underground drug." Often musicians form their opinions, and may risk their health, based on locker-room-type information."</p>
<p>It is based on unsubstantiated claims and "locker-room-type information".</p>
<p>As well, he will not be taking the drug as a daily prescribed medication. Only when he needs to perform. You can advise him as you see fit, but for some unfortunate people, there is no natural solution to the shakes. The ideas mentioned in violadad's first post are good ones, however they only appeal to the psychological conditions of performing; and as I mentioned before, those muscle spasms are caused autonomically via the sympethetic nervous system. </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>symphonymom- one more insight</p>
<p>Thanks to you both! I've given my friend the sites and she's probably going to join the board! They were very helpful. I guess her son has to figure out which kind of anxiety he has before deciding what to do. Those were great site for everyone who has to perform. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Just read Greene's article...I think practicing auditions, like everything else, really helps. If the shaking continues, at least there is an option...Thanks!</p>
<p>There are so many different opinions on this issue. While beta blockers may be the end result, IMHO he should explore all other options before resorting to them.</p>
<p>One book that has come highly recommended to us on this issue is The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green, which includes many exercises to work on to reduce anxiety.</p>
<p>I read the inner game of music as well and it really had some good ideas.</p>
<p>This therapy sounds crazy but I have found it to be invaluable in dealing with anything that involves anxiety - it is called EMDR and is used largely for post traumatic stress disorder but is successful for many other situations involving stress. I went to an EMDR therapist after being with a relative when she died and then I got help again with it when I had some paralyzing fears about my D getting her driver's licence. I can't tell you how much it helped. There are not that many therapists around who do it and you want to find a good one. If interested, info is on this website and there is a link for finding a licensed therapist. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.emdr.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.emdr.com/</a></p>
<p>I don't know how old the young man mentioned in the OP's question is. If he's still a teenager, there are many approaches to try before you drug him. Every workshop and summer program my son participated try to address the question of performance anxiety. It's common. There's a lot written about it. I second the suggestion rcmama gave. (The Inner Game of Music) Also anything by and about Arnie Jacobs, the great tuba player. He wrote a lot about breathing issues for low brass players. There are also a couple of books by Don Greene, Audition Success and Performance Success</p>
<p>He could also look into bio-feedback, meditation, psycho-cybernetics and yoga. </p>
<p>And of course, if he's young and relatively inexperienced, the more he auditions and performs for others, the easier it will get. </p>
<p>If, in fact, he's a more mature player, and has already tried everything else, he should consult a qualified physician. Taking medical advice from this board (AND BETA BLOCKERS FALL INTO THE MEDICAL CATEGORY) is irresponsible.</p>
<p>I would suggest that this student talk with his private tuba instructor. In most cases, the private instructor knows the student's playing better than anyone else. He or she might be able to offer some insight into the problem(s) and solution(s). My own kiddos have had serious heart to heart talks with their private teachers over the years regarding auditions (usually ones they didn't do well on). These teachers have been remarkably supportive, and have helped my kids "get over the hump" so to speak. I would absolutely begin there.</p>
<p>Just perform as MUCH as possible! I remember whenever I had to cantor for the high holiday services, I got so nervous I felt like I was going to throw up. The second time I went up, I felt about that same nervousness. By the 4th time it was almost gone, so repetition definitely helps and gets you used to the stress :)</p>
<p>Fight or flight, and one's system either really has a strong survival response to a threatening situation, or one does not. Beta-blockers do dull it, make the breath more functional, which is the real problem here. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>My $.02.</p>
<p>My kids have nerves of steel; I'm the one who shakes. (Yes, I mean when my kids are performing, but alas, also when I perform. Fortunately it is my legs that shake, so it doesn't affect my piano fingers.) My D and I both have trouble with cold hands. She takes mittens with her to performances. Beta blockers do not affect your "nervousness" - they affect the effects of nervousness, eg. shaking. They do not make you a "better" musician in any way - you still have to practice. :) They do affect your ability to perform if your performance is being negatively affected by nervous reactions. Decision to use them is individual, of course. There are some professional musicians who use them before every concert! We have never used them, but I wouldn't disparage those who need them. </p>
<p>I don't know if anybody has mentioned bananas yet. Although they are probably more placebo effect than anything else, we have found them to be helpful. (At my S's Juilliard audition, they had a huge barrel of bananas sitting out for the auditionees.) Just because the effect is "mental" doesn't mean we don't appreciate that mental effect! </p>
<p>Here is another book you might want to look at: by Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer, The Power of Mindful Learning.</p>
<p>My D has found it very helpful. It is not specific to music, but the ideas apply to auditions very well. It teaches you how to "pay attention" to the right things, which my D says helps her to handle things like mistakes during an audition or performance. It is opposed to "rote" learning, which messes you up when there is a deviation. I'm probably not explaining it very well. Just an idea.</p>
<p>OMGosh Binx! I can SO relate! I always have an upset stomach and jitters before my son performs! Always! I have only seen him nervous before or during a performance once in his life (and that shook me!). </p>
<p>I don't think I have the constitution to be a performer...just plain toooo nervous! I would hate to think I had to fight these feelings every time I had to perform, but maybe it gets better, like everything else, with time and practice.</p>
<p>And I never knew that about bananas! Thanks for the tip!</p>