Intentional Mental Imagery and Music Performance Anxiety

Intentional mental imagery is an important preparation strategy for performers and can be used for different purposes. Applied imagery models suggest that a single imagery approach can be used for different functions (e.g., affect regulation and performance enhancement). However, little is known about how musicians employ mental imagery to manage music performance anxiety (MPA) and whether musicians experience difficulty controlling imagery (e.g., maintaining imagery) used to manage MPA. Thus, we investigated how musicians use mental imagery for this purpose and whether they experience difficulty controlling such imagery. Musicians ( N = 25) completed a semi-structured interview and Likert-style rating scales concerning their experiences with intentional mental imagery used to manage MPA. Thematic analysis revealed that musicians in our sample engaged in a variety of imagery approaches (e.g., mental rehearsal) to manage MPA, integrating different sensory content. Themes were identified concerning difficulties participants experienced in controlling mental imagery. Musicians in our sample used a variety of imagery approaches to manage MPA, many of which are consistent with existing intervention literature and applied imagery models. Furthermore, many musicians in our sample experienced difficulty controlling intentional imagery which raises important questions for additional research.