Introduction Music performance anxiety (MPA) is characterized by long-lasting, high intensity apprehension associated with performing music in public. At extreme levels, MPA can impair the career and quality of life. Our goal is to describe the clinical profile, perceived causes and coping strategies associated with MPA. Methods In this cross-sectional study, several self-assessment instruments were administered to a sample of 214 Brazilian musicians (68% male, 53.3% classical/46.7% popular musicians). Data were analyzed using descriptive and parametric statistics, based on the variables of musical training and level of MPA. Results Percentages of indicators of pathology were high (40% high MPA levels, 37% social anxiety, 12.5% depression, 13.5% alcohol abuse), and musicians with high MPA levels were the most affected. A wide variety of situations were associated with MPA, especially those related to the individual (pressure from self/concern about audience). Emotion-focused coping and internal resources were prominent among the resources used for coping with MPA (breathing, increased practice, familiarization with performance venue), although they were not always effective. It was relatively uncommon for musicians to seek specialized resources and treatments. Conclusions The results demonstrate the vulnerability of the targeted professional groups and the need for preventive strategies and behavioral, environmental, educational, and pharmacological interventions to change this scenario.

IntroductionThe understanding of the causes of music performance anxiety (MPA) and of strategies to cope with it is important for the comprehension/management of this common condition in musicians.ObjectiveTo investigate the causes of MPA reported by Brazilian musicians and the efficacy of the most commonly used strategies to cope with it.MethodsTwo hundred and fourteen Brazilian musicians (53% professional/musicians from orchestras, 67% male, mean age: 34.02 years, 65% with over 11 years of education, 42% of which played string instruments) completed different self-rating scales to assess the presence/absence of MPA.ResultsThirty-nine per cent of the musicians had indicators of MPA. The most commonly reported causes were repertoire difficulty (57%), concerns about audience response (52%), and self-pressure (51%). The most common coping techniques included breathing/relaxing techniques (66%) and increased practice (53%), regarded as efficient by at least 49% of the musicians. Strategies like seeing a doctor/psychiatrist/psychologist and taking antidepressant/anxiolytic medication were among the least frequently used in the sample. Also, 18% of musicians with MPA used beta-blockers and 6% used non-prescribed medications. Comparatively, musicians with MPA believed that it was associated with a higher number of conditions and regarded coping techniques as less efficient.ConclusionMusicians consider internal situations to be the most frequent causes of MPA and use different coping strategies with average effectiveness. Results highlight the poor use of well-established therapeutic resources and the occurrence of self-medication in the sample, which together point to the need for attention on the part of mental health professionals to this specific group.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.