I've read a couple of entries/articles on the use of beta blockers in the music industry over the past few weeks, and have thought about it quite a bit.

Here are my thoughts: I don't see inderal has a performance-enhancing drug. It doesn't make you play more correct notes, it doesn't help you play with a great sound, it doesn't practice for you. What it does do is lessen the often debilitating physical manifestations relating to stage fright.

I'm pretty skeptical of those people who claim to know (without being told) that a person was using beta blockers. I've sat on a lot of audition committees, and I've not been able to tell, and couldn't even go back and pick out red flags when I was told that a finalist or winner had used the drug. If someone has fire and personality in their playing, it will come out, regardless. I would go so far as to say that those people who most vehemently attack the use of beta blockers in performance probably use them themselves, and wish to put others off the trail. I've heard good players absolutely collapse in auditions and performance situations, when I knew that they'd prepared very well and were ready. It may have been worth it for them to consider the use of these drugs.

There's a good bit of snobbery in the music world. You have to have this special temperament to get along, you have to have nerves of steel, or you shouldn't be in the business. Yet, you should be sensitive to the point of absurdity, neurotic to a fault, and suffering terribly all the time. What hogwash! If you have a headache, you take aspirin or its equivalent. If you have severe manifestations of stage fright, take beta blockers, with your doctor's supervision. It is not necessary to suffer to be an artist. Pain is not a prerequisite. The stereotypes should be abolished.