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

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