Interview Part 1: Symptoms of performance anxiety in musicians
A bit of adrenaline that just heightens everything can be positive but the fight-flight response can cause big problems for musicians
top of page
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Dec 21, 2021
Funny musical videos
A musician friend sent out a wonderful musical Advent calendar this year with a funny video for each day. Here are a few to lift the spirits
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Oct 13, 2021
My life of writing fiction: Skakoon
Skakoon: A magical adventure story for 9-12 year olds I want to let you know a bit about my other life: writing fiction. I have spent a...
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Oct 6, 2021
Musicians and Trauma: finding emotional safety
Most of people I work with have had trauma of one sort or another. I support musicians in finding a way they can feel safe when they play
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jul 22, 2021
Preparation and focus
A young professional came for a session and his main concern was preparation. He had a lack of confidence in his own views on practice..
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jul 20, 2021
Performance anxiety: permission to be fallible
I have seen the influence of bullying teaching impact musicians in a way that they are terrified of not being perfect enough
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jun 16, 2021
International Piano Magazine: how musicians have managed lockdowns
I wrote an article in May for the International Piano Magazine about how three British pianists had managed lockdowns in the UK.
Charlotte Tomlinson
- May 12, 2021
The benefits of nature and taking space
The calm and peace that comes from more spaciousness in our lives rebalances us away from our anxious, panicky selves that need to be doing
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Apr 21, 2021
Perfectionism: a tough task master
Perfectionism is the drive to give a ‘perfect performance’ with a feeling of not being good enough - dangerous for a performer.
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Mar 30, 2021
Finding colour and projection in lockdown performances
During this time of masks and distancing we need to let go of muted lockdown playing and find colour and projection again in performance
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Feb 22, 2021
Lockdown one year on: How have musicians adapted
Covid-19 has had a monumental impact on musicians: concerts cancelled, incomes have plummeted and musicians have become experts in Zoom.
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jan 24, 2021
Managing emotions & lockdown with a broken wrist
Musicians are struggling: not being able to work, losing a sense of identity. How do we manage our emotions with these challenges?
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Dec 21, 2020
Clara Schumann: her teaching as seen by her students
have collected together a few wonderful historical recordings both recorded in the 1950’s of two of Clara Schumann’s best students
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Nov 16, 2020
Making the best of conflicting views in chamber music rehearsals
I remember Joan talking about how to rehearse chamber music, saying you need to air your views, explore them and disagree if needs be
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Oct 14, 2020
Human connection & kindness within Covid restrictions
This student reminded me of the importance of human connection, in this case through creative expression.
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Sep 28, 2020
Practice and performance: creating the right environment
Can we allow our practice time to be a sacred environment where there is freedom and space to be creative?
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Aug 26, 2020
Practice and another take on warming up
One of the most frequent questions I am asked as a teacher is ‘Can you show me a good warm up?’
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jul 30, 2020
Managing stress and trauma as a professional musician
I've been working with a principal player in one of the big national British orchestras whose life as a musician is about surviving & coping
Charlotte Tomlinson
- Jun 30, 2020
Managing adrenalin: winding down after a performance
We musicians often discuss preparing for our performance and the performance itself, but rarely do we consider what happens post-performance
Charlotte Tomlinson
- May 14, 2020
Singing when your body is tight with anxiety & finding emotional safety
I worked with a soprano at one of the main British conservatoires who was petrified at singing in front of the vocal department.
bottom of page