Fatores promotores de ansiedade na atividade do músico enquanto docente e instrumentista

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate which factors promote anxiety in professional musicians, analyzing two perspectives of their activity: a career in teaching and a career in performance. An additional aim was to understand the strategies used to cope with anxiety in both professional careers. Twenty seven pianists/teachers from different schools in the North of Portugal were selected, with ages spanning from 23 to 67 years, being 14 female and 13 male, with university diplomas. For data gathering, a questionnaire designed for this study and was applied. Results indicated that twenty participants (74%) reported anxiety, but only four of them indicated that anxiety had a negative effect over their output. The main causes for anxiety mentioned by the participants were an inadequate preparation of the pieces, the possibility of failure and the lack of concentration and memory gaps, with solo concerts and competitions being the activities which caused more stress in the participants. The main strategy used by the participants to cope and deal with the anxiety was a thorough and diversified preparation of the performance. Regarding the anxiety experienced by teachers concerning the performances of their students, twenty-four (89%) reported feeling anxious, and the main reasons identified by the teachers as the ones that triggered anxiety were an insufficient preparation of the students, the concern for memory or concentration gaps and the evaluation from both the public and their parents or guardians. The strategies used by the teachers to deal with the anxiety of the students included a high level of preparation of the student, the simulation of the performance, recording of performances in audio and video and the use of relaxation techniques, using strategies very similar to the ones they use themselves. In addition, there is a deep concern for the well-being of the student and his/her motivation, which is stimulated with positive speeches.

Date of Award	14 Apr 2016
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Daniela da Costa Coimbra (Supervisor)