How can I get over my stage fright and feel more confident when I'm performing?

Answer 1

Believe it or not, you actually don't want to "overcome" stage fright.

Stage fright = adrenalin and other hormones that can cause terrific, even super-human performance, including speaking and singing abilities. This is why many great actors and singers say they want butterflies in their stomach before showtime, to do their best.

I will train you to use adrenalin and nervous energy properly (and show you how quickly). This equals that you are happiest in front of larger audiences--where the adrenalin is running high and strong!

Of course, singers fear stage fright. Why? Their are worried about "cracking" a note and singing sharp, flat or even silently forcing out air but no musical notes. Again, I'll walk you through exactly why this happens and how to avoid it for the rest of your singing career--as a brief part of our first lesson together.

Answer 2

This is a great question because so many singers have this exact same issue.

In my experience as a singer and teacher, I've found that there are several different causes for stage fright. The main one being fear of judgement or criticism from the audience and/or not singing well or sounding good.

Since we cannot control how the audience may react, we should focus on the things that we can control like our breathing, supporting the sound properly, staying physically relaxed, having the words and melody memorized, etc. Remember, we perform because we love to sing and we love music, so that love for the music and the joy of singing should be reflected in our performance. Don't forget to enjoy yourself and make the performance about your art, expressing your personality and sharing the music you love to sing with your audience. This is fun not work.

As for your level of confidence, that is something that comes with time and repetition dependent upon you and how prepared you are for the performance itself. Did you practice the music to the point where you feel like you know it inside and out? Are you excited about the music you're about to perform? Do you enjoy the music that your performing? Are you expressing yourself in the most authentic and sincere way possible? If you've answered yes to the majority of these questions then you'll be fine. Again, this is fun not work.

People will always have an opinion about something, the good news is that it's just that, their opinion.

Be creative and have fun with your performance. When you're doing what you love to do, it will shine through.

Answer 3

I am a singer-songwriter. One thing I do to prepare as a musician is to record every song I write as an instrumental and as a vocal. That has helped me with my self-confidence because I am not putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.

I do suggest you adequately prepare to sing the vocal before recording or performing. I took private singing lessons when I sang LIVE in my gigging days.

It is possible, though not advisable to record background vocals with less than perfect throat condition but lead vocals require your best tone to be delivered effectively whether LIVE or recorded.

Answer 4

The unknown is always scary for we are looking for a safe environment. We performers have to dig deeper than the outside of ourselves steps like:

1. Stay focus
2. look above the heads of the audience (not their eyes for you can get distracted)

Let's start with the wonderful tool that has to become your best friend forever: the MIRROR.

Do I accept me?

My image?

What is that I like about myself?

My best feature?

My eyes?

My nose? etc..

FORMULA: STOP comparing yourself with the artist, model, movie star you admire!

REMINDER:

There is only ONE you! We are unique in appearance, vocally and most importantly SOUL.

Yes, I know that it is intimidating looking at ourselves in the mirror for we cannot hide from ourselves, but the image you see is what everybody sees. Embrace it! Love it! Accept it!

I think we give too much power at the opinions of everybody else but ourselves.

What do I think of me?

Without comparing myself to anyone else.

How can we do that?

Simple.

We can give our opinion on a voice (singer/performer) correct? then... isn't "MY VOICE" just another singer I hear?

We can give our opinion of the appearance of any person, then.. am I not just another person as well?

The same works for our VOICE.

Do I like my voice?

Do I understand and accept my voice?

Do I know how to use my voice?

Do I listen to my voice? How can I improve?

Stage freight? ok.. afraid of what?

The stage is our home, is where we can pretend to be in another world, express our emotions, be free!

Afraid of:

1- Will THEY like it? Well, chances are 50% will and 50% won't. Stick to the positive 50%

2- What if I make a mistake? ok.. why am I making the mistake?

Am I focus?

Do I know my lyrics, music, tempo?

Do I know what I am doing with my voice?

Practice, practice, practice!

And then comes: Am I afraid of being vulnerable? We singers/performers express our emotions thru our artistry. How comfortable I feel of being vulnerable?

At the end, remember why you started singing/performing?

BECAUSE?... YOU LOVE IT! So enjoy... little by little, pad at yourself at your progress (small or big)

Answer 5

There are several things that you can do that will help you to feel confident when you perform as a singer.

The first step is to develop your technique so that you know exactly what to do to get the sound you want.

If your voice does unexpected things and surprises you, of course, you will feel less confident.

The second thing you can do once your voice technique is developed is to prepare your songs so well that there is little possibility of freezing or making a mistake based on not knowing your song well enough. I always tell my students to practice until they can't get it wrong.

The third thing you can do is to learn to focus your mind entirely on the task at hand, which is expressing your song. If your whole mental focus is on what you're doing, there's no space left to think about the opinions of your audience. Sing to express and not impress, and you will take the pressure off of yourself.