Let’s face it, getting up on stage in front of people requires bravery and fearlessness that we don’t always feel like we have. There have been moments in my own experience as a singer that I have worked myself into an absolute frenzy, and all for nothing in the end. Sometimes overthinking can lead to worse nerves and emotions that don’t serve us. So let’s attempt to incorporate these 5 things next time we get up there and sing & see how beautiful our moment up there can be when we set a better intention. I know that changing my mindset has changed my whole stage and performance approach which has ultimately helped my whole life.
(1) Redirect Your Energy:
If you really think about it, it’s not nerves, it’s excitement, so draw on that energy rather than a nervous energy. Say “I am fearless & Brave”. Use your positive thought to set your intention and focus on all the good that can come out of the experience instead of the bad.
- Shift the focus off of yourself and your fear to the enjoyment you are providing to the spectators.
- Don’t focus on what could go wrong. Instead focus on the positive. Visualize your success.
- Let go of perfection.
- Focusing on the act of performing rather than the audience’s reaction.
(2) Practice, Practice, Practice!
Be prepared, which means practice, practice, practice. Repetition and Over-preparation. Get out and perform more. Get up at karaoke, family gatherings, open mic nights. Perform as much as possible so that you can get used to being on stage. The more you get used to dealing with your feelings of anxiety head on, the better you will be with dealing with them. Repeat your song over and over, so that it becomes second nature. Practice in front of people & Friends. A mirror will only take you so far. I’m all for mirrors mainly to better technique and vowel formation, but being on stage requires a different set of practice rules
(3) LOVE your audience:
As singers we feed off our audience and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned, it’s that our audience wants us to do well. Don’t let one mistake define your whole performance. Let it go, move forward & enjoy every moment. Sing to 1 person at a time! Make eye contact and make that someone you are singing to feel every word you are singing.
- Focus on the friendliest faces in the audience.
(4) Relax:
Treatment for stage fright often includes different types of relaxation techniques. Deep-breathing and meditation can calm a person down immediately before a performance.
Lifestyle changes can also help ease stage fright. For example, decreasing caffeine intake, remaining hydrated, and eating a good meal before a performance may benefit some people. It can also help to get plenty of sleep the night before.
(5) Sing to Give!
When you focus on giving, you are not worrying about yourself but giving your audience a great performance and experience. Set your Intention to Give prior to getting out there. This has helped me tremendously especially with those intimate audiences and heartfelt songs 💛
Confronting your fears and learning ways to reduce and manage them can be extremely empowering. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me. Book with me today and we can work on your stage fright and anxieties together! I offer both online and in-person singing lessons in Calgary. You can view all my services here.
Until next time, Happy Singing!
