Flow and music performance: Professional musicians and music students’ views

Abstract

Performing music at the highest levels involves great competitiveness. When each performance represents a major personal challenge, success is no longer solely dependent on a high level of technical mastery: the psychological aspects of the performance also have a decisive impact. The concept of flow is presented as a phenomenon associated with significant improvements in the musician’s performance and well-being. This work explores musicians’ positive experiences in performance situations and studies the factors that promote the emergence of flow during competitions. Eleven musicians, both professionals and students, were interviewed to consider ways of promoting the emergence of flow that help them to produce high-quality performances. Our analysis revealed several different factors promoting the emergence of flow: social standing, performance preparation, connection to one’s body, awareness of skills and self-confidence, intrinsic motivation, attentional focus, and transcendence. These findings enhance our understanding of the conditions influencing the emergence of flow. We consider work pathways which might facilitate the emergence of flow experiences and thus help musicians to produce high-quality performances while protecting them from the harmful effects of stress and anxiety.

Live Music Performance: The Relationship Between Flow and Music Performance Anxiety

“…This may prevent too much concentration on negative aspects of the performance and increase the chance of immersing oneself in the performance. In addition, since confidence in one’s abilities is an essential component of self-efficacy, the findings of Antonini Philippe et al (2021) confirm our findings that higher self-efficacy can promote flow.…”

“…It may be that a certain level of importance to the musicians can prevent boredom from developing, which in turn may reduce the experience of flow. This is supported by the findings of Antonini Philippe et al (2021) that motivation to perform is a relevant factor in promoting flow.…”

“…In a qualitative study, Antonini Philippe et al (2021) interviewed high-level musicians to get their perspectives on what contributes to the occurrence of flow during a music performance. They found several factors that promote the emergence of flow, such as social support, performance preparation, connection with one’s body, awareness of skills and self-confidence, intrinsic motivation, attentional focus, and transcendence.…”

“…Confidence in one’s own abilities is a predictor of successful performances ( Papageorgi et al, 2007 ) and musicians with greater self-confidence are more likely to be able to focus fully on the performance and may facilitate flow ( Csikszentmihalyi, 1990 ). Another important factor that supports flow is motivation ( Antonini Philippe et al, 2021 ), the desire to play and to perform with full commitment.…”

Achieving Flow: An Exploratory Investigation of Elite College Athletes and Musicians

“…Factors, such as physical and mental preparation ( Sinnamon, 2020 ), were highlighted as well as the consideration that nothing is more important than the activity currently being performed, in addition to having the necessary focus on the activity ( Biasutti, 2017b ). The novel contribution of the current research is the finding that a focus on body feelings and emotions plays a role in flow ( Hanin, 2000 ; Rodgers and Tajet-Foxell, 2011 ), which could be considered a way of listening to one’s body and capturing inner feelings ( Antonini Philippe et al, 2021 ). This process allows performers to acquire confidence in their skills and performance possibilities ( Kirchner, 2011 ; Swann et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Harris et al, 2017 ).…”