Using Vocal Improvisation Within the Vocal Coaching Studio to Mitigate Music Performance Anxiety: An Exploratory Study of Three Cases

Abstract

Music performance anxiety is a prevalent issue among musicians, including both instrumentalists and singers, impacting their ability to perform. Research suggests music coaches are a preferred source of help in ameliorating music performance anxiety, but vocal coaches largely lack the training to provide this. This paper seeks to explore sung improvisation as a strategy to alleviate music performance anxiety among singers within the vocal coaching studio. Previous research suggests music improvisation can reduce music performance anxiety in instrumentalists. However, its application with singers remains underexplored. Three participants of different ages and gender identities sang in front of an audience and then underwent six 30-min vocal coaching sessions involving sung improvisation over 2 months. Post the intervention they performed again under similar conditions. Self-report measures, including the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) and the Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents (MPAI-A), were used to assess levels of music performance anxiety prior to and post the intervention. Participant feedback and observations provided additional insights into the benefits and challenges of using sung improvisation for music performance anxiety management in singers. All participants presented with reduced music performance anxiety symptoms post the intervention of vocal improvisation. Only one participant presented reliable change with a reliable change score of 2.67. However, the data suggested social validity, indicating the potential value of improvisation as a strategy to ameliorate music performance anxiety within the vocal coaching studio. This study provides insights for vocal coaches and singers on the efficacy of sung improvisation for reducing music performance anxiety, contributing to a better understanding of the coach’s role in addressing this issue.