Performance anxiety is a common experience among musicians, regardless of their skill level or stage of career. The pressure to deliver a flawless performance in front of an audience or examiner can trigger a range of physical and psychological symptoms that hinder musicians from reaching their full potential. In this bitesize pod, we’ll explore the nature of performance anxiety, its impact on musicians, and effective coping strategies to manage and overcome this challenge. By understanding and addressing performance anxiety, musicians can unlock their true artistic potential and find fulfilment in their musical journey. Performance anxiety is an intense fear or apprehension associated with performing in front of others. It stems from the fear of judgment, making mistakes, or not meeting one's own expectations. This anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, trembling, and mental symptoms like negative self-talk, self-doubt, and racing thoughts. Understanding the roots and manifestations of performance anxiety is essential for developing effective coping strategies.   Performance anxiety can significantly impact musicians' performance, confidence, and overall well-being. It may hinder technical proficiency, impair memory recall, and disrupt the flow of expression. Additionally, the fear of performance anxiety itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, perpetuating a cycle of anxiety in subsequent performances. It is crucial to acknowledge the emotional and psychological toll performance anxiety can take on musicians' lives. This week Jean-Paul briefly explores what Performance Anxiety is and looks at some coping Strategies to help you navigate through, around and past! 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com