Propranolol for public speaking
Discussion
Luke. said:
Fine afterwards re the Propranolol?
I mean the helium. After 5 minutes of talking like that, any subsequent embarrassing feelings and awkwardness will have died down.But simply, as above, being prepared plus having a decent understanding of your subject plus possibly enthusiasm for the subject will help immensely.
grumbledoak said:
Beta Blockers are powerful drugs with long lists of side effects, many of them nasty.
Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
It's one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. And musicians left, right and centre seem to take it to combat stage fright/nerves. I think the list of side effects is somewhat overstated. Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
Luke. said:
grumbledoak said:
Beta Blockers are powerful drugs with long lists of side effects, many of them nasty.
Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
It's one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. And musicians left, right and centre seem to take it to combat stage fright/nerves. I think the list of side effects is somewhat overstated. Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
drivin_me_nuts said:
Luke. said:
grumbledoak said:
Beta Blockers are powerful drugs with long lists of side effects, many of them nasty.
Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
It's one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. And musicians left, right and centre seem to take it to combat stage fright/nerves. I think the list of side effects is somewhat overstated. Seriously, go speak to your doctor, not the internet.
NiceCupOfTea said:
In my experience beta blockers have ruined more musicians' careers than they has saved. Used to be rife in the classical music world. Nerves is what gives you that edge for performance.
Really? (Not in a sarcastic way that "Really?" is often used these days but in a genuinely interested to know more way.) How did it ruin their careers? Why the classical music world? And aren't we better when we're relaxed if we have to perform?Relaxed, yes. But in order to perform well you need to have an "edge" - what gives performers and audiences alike that "buzz" - otherwise we would just sit at home and listen to recordings!
Beta blockers remove that edge, and people tend to give much flatter boring performances - which is no good for them, those around them, or audiences.
Speaking personally I would far rather hear a live performance with that edge, that buzz that gets you tingling, with a few mistakes, than a boring note perfect flat performance.
Unfortunately, a lot of people listen to their recordings at home with every single note edited to be perfect, and expect perfection at performances - which by the definition of performers being human, will almost never happen.
As a result there is a huge pressure on performers to play perfectly every time - screw up a couple of times and people start asking questions, the pressure is greater, you are more likely to make a mistake, and the cycle continues. When your mortgage depends on it it's pretty much the ultimate in performance related pay!
So many take beta blockers - but lack of that edge is just as undesireable, people become dependant mentally on taking them, and it's a slippery slope.
I wouldn't go near them personally.
ETA - I only say the classical world as that is my sphere of experience.
Beta blockers remove that edge, and people tend to give much flatter boring performances - which is no good for them, those around them, or audiences.
Speaking personally I would far rather hear a live performance with that edge, that buzz that gets you tingling, with a few mistakes, than a boring note perfect flat performance.
Unfortunately, a lot of people listen to their recordings at home with every single note edited to be perfect, and expect perfection at performances - which by the definition of performers being human, will almost never happen.
As a result there is a huge pressure on performers to play perfectly every time - screw up a couple of times and people start asking questions, the pressure is greater, you are more likely to make a mistake, and the cycle continues. When your mortgage depends on it it's pretty much the ultimate in performance related pay!
So many take beta blockers - but lack of that edge is just as undesireable, people become dependant mentally on taking them, and it's a slippery slope.
I wouldn't go near them personally.
ETA - I only say the classical world as that is my sphere of experience.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 19th September 13:30
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