Musician Nightmares to Remember: From Standing on Stage in Your Underwear (à la Neil Patrick Harris) to Flubbing Your Big Solo

Last night, I dreamed that I was still in college, and there was a test I had to take before I could graduate. I think its purpose was to show that I had learned enough to deserve a degree. I didn't know what time the test was or where on campus it was being given. In addition, I was stuck someplace far from campus and was probably going to miss the test anyway.

I've also dreamed that I am late for a concert, and I can't find my French horn. Or I have to play a solo horn recital in a few days, but I haven't played the horn at all for several years. I am desperately trying to get back in shape, but it's hopeless.

Can I still cancel the recital?

It's strange that I should still be having nightmares like this, given that I graduated from music school years ago.

I'm sure this is my unconscious mind's way of dinging me for, yes, not having played the horn at all for several years. It's a way of expressing the residual guilt that has built up over time.

I have recently learned that some of these nightmares seem to be common to all performing artists, including the ones where you flub your big solo or walk out on stage in your underwear.

But what do these dreams actually mean?

This last nightmare actually happened to actor Neil Patrick Harris when he hosted the Oscars last February. Way to go, Neil! Nothing like stripping down to your underwear and walking out to face a billion people.

Harris is an inspiration to recurring-dream sufferers everywhere. After all, if he has faced a billion people in his underwear, what is there left for him to fear?

The comedy team of Igudesman and Joo grapples with similar fears in their show "A Little Nightmare Music" and other comedy sketches. Here, Aleksey Igudesman reacts to having walked out on stage without his violin:

I have had recurring dreams like this for more than a dozen years. When is it going to end?

And, again, what do these dreams actually mean? Are they an expression of the dreamer's artistic skill or abject incompetence?

I'd be interested to hear about other people's experiences with recurring dreams. Feel free to describe them in the comment field below, and stay tuned for more on this subject.