Symptoms of Stage Fright

Facets of performance anxiety include:

  • lack of focus
  • negative thoughts about a performance
  • lack of concentration
  • lack of physical stamina
  • memory slips, mistakes
  • “butterflies” or outright nausea
  • shaky or constricted  voice or embouchure
  • dry mouth
  • sweaty hands
  • racing heart
  • hyperventilation
  • muscle tension
  • fidgeting
  • nervous body language
  • tight or compromised speech
  • poor projection
  • inaccuracy and clumsiness (wrong notes, sloppy performance)
  • gastrointestinal distress
  • sleep disruption
  • appetite disruption

Sound familiar? Read on…  Who, Me? Nervous?