Peak Performance
Fearless Performance for Musicians - Jeff Nelsen’s workshop on becoming a better performer. Mock auditions, videotaping, coaching, critiques, etc.
Beyond Practicing - a “7 module” course in developing peak performance (stage presence) skills by Dr. Noa Kageyama, a sport and performance psychologist on the faculty of the Juilliard School. Available in various formats: pdf, mp3 audio file. Also check out his blog The Bulletproof Musician.
Mental Preparation for Performance and Practice - A Quick and Simple Routine - handout for a presentation at IHS40 in Denver by Jeffrey Agrell
Performance Anxiety - article by Cynthia Carr
Trick Question - blog entry by Jeffrey Agrell
Ten Tips on becoming “Fearless” - article by Jeff Nelsen
The Bulletproof Musician - Juilliard musician turned psychologist Noa Kageyama gives professional advice on dealing with performance anxiety and related topics
Performance Anxiety, article by B.S.O. bass trombonist Doug Yeo
Stage Presence - article by James Boldin
Books on Peak Performance (bibliography by Jeffrey Agrell):
Baum, Kenneth, The Mental Edge
Berger, Dorita, Toward the Zen of Performance [using free improvisation to develop self-confidence in the performer]
Benson, Herbert, The Relaxation Response [meditation]
Brown, Barbara, Stress and the Art of Biofeedback
Christensen, Loren, The Mental Edge
Dorfman & Kuehl, The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance
Dunkel, Stuart Edward, The Audition Process: Anxiety Management and Coping Strategies
Farnbach, Rod & Eversley, Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Feldenkrais, Moshe, Awareness Through Movement [Feldenkrais method]
Freymuth, Malva, Mental Practice and Imagery for Musicians
Gallwey, Timothy, The Inner Game of Tennis
Gawain, Shakti, Creative Visualization
Goode, Michael I., Stage Fright in Music Performance and Its Relationship to the Unconscious
Gordon, Stewart, Mastering the Art of Performance: A Primer for Musicians
Greene, Barry, and Gallwey, Timothy, The Inner Game of Music
Greene, Don, Audition Success (see www.dongreene.com)
Greene, Don, Fight Your Fear and Win
Greene, Don, Performance Success: Performing Your Best Under Pressure
Herrigel, Eugen, Zen and the Art of Archery
Hill, Douglas, Collected Thoughts, Ch. 6, “Relaxation and the Performing Musician” p. 54-58
Jeffers, Susan, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Johnston, W.W., Take Charge: A Guide to Feeling Good; Self-Esteem or Self-Abuse: Where Do You Stand?
Jones, Frank Pierce, Body Awareness in Action [Alexander Technique]
Kaslow, David, Living Dangerously with the Horn: Thoughts on Life and Art
Kauss, David, Mastering Your Inner Game
Kruger, Dr. Irmtraud Tarr, Performance Power: Transforming Stress into Creative Energy
Lehmann, Sloboda & Woody, Psychology for Musicians: Understanding and Acquiring the Skills
LGE Performance Systems: Love the Battle; Wired Right - 2 audiocassettes
Lieberman, Julie, You Are Your Instrument: The Definitive Musician’s Guide to Practice and Performance
Loehr, James, The New Toughness Training for Sports
Loehr, James, Stress for Success
Maisel, Eric, Performance Anxiety
Maltz, Maxwell, Psycho-Cybernetics [self-image psychology]
Mason, L. John, Guide to Stress Reduction
Orlick, Terry, In Pursuit of Excellence
Pelletier, Kenneth, Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer, A Holistic Approach to Preventing Stress Disorders
Porter, Kay, The Mental Athlete
Railo, Willi, Willing to Win (order the English version, not the Norwegian)
Ristad, Eloise, A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances
Rotella, Bob, Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect (some useful information about performing under pressure)
Salmon, Paul, and Meyer, Robert, Notes from the Green Room: Coping With Stress and Anxiety in Musical Performance
Samuels, Mike and Nancy, Seeing with the Mind’s Eye [visualization]
Schneiderman, Barbara, Confident Music Performance: The Art of Preparing
Severson, Paul and McDunn, Mark, Brass Wind Artistry
Sibley, Charlotte Whitaker and Tanner, Donald Ray, But I Played It Perfectly in the Practice Room! (incl. 2 relaxation tapes)
Simonton, O. Carl, Getting Well Again [Ch. 11 & 12 are on relaxation technique and visualization]
Triplett, Robert, Stage-Fright: Letting it Work for You
Tubesing, Donald, Kicking Your Stress Habits, a Do-It-Yourself Guide for Coping with Stress
Ungerleider, Steven, Mental Training for Peak Performance
Werner, Kenny, Effortless Mastery (includes CD)
Westney, William, The Perfect Wrong Note: Learning to Trust Your Musical Self
Zi, Nancy, The Art of Breathing (book + video)