Predictors of music performance anxiety during skilled performance in tertiary flute players

Abstract

This study predicted music performance anxiety in skilled flute players. Participants played two orchestral excerpts under audition conditions. Prior to the performance, participants completed the State (STAI-S) and Trait (STAI-T) Anxiety questionnaires from the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) and the Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE). They also had electromyography (EMG) and electrocardiography (ECG) measures taken before and during their performances and provided information on their musical achievements and how much time they had spent practicing the test pieces. Specially developed rating scales assessed prior level of musical achievement. Hierarchical regression analysis assessed relationships between each group of variables entered and music performance anxiety assessed with K-MPAI. The final model included the anxiety measures (STAI-T, STAI-S, FNE), a rating of the highest level of achievement as a soloist, number of minutes they practiced the test piece, and the physiological measures (EMG and heart rate [HR]). This model accounted for 70.4% of the variance in music performance anxiety (MPA) but only STAI-S and FNE contributed significant unique variance to the prediction of it. A number of methodological issues were identified in studies on music performance anxiety, and suggestions made for the conduct of future research into music performance anxiety.