Stage Fright!!! Help!?

Question

Ok..I love to sing/play guitar. I have been invited to be the opening act for a local tribute show and will be performing for the first time on stage VERY soon. I am so nervous. I am confident in my songs but I am afraid that I will be so nervous when I get out there that I will forget how to play, forget the words and my voice will just lock up! Of course I have heard that the lights will be so bright I won't be able to see anyone...that does help me a little but I am still very nervous. I hope someone can offer me some really good advice. Someone that has actually been on stage performing please.

Answer 1

Actually even professionals still get stage fright I sing for people a lot and was so scared a while back.. the best way is to just give yourself a pep talk and go.... you might be shaky at first (I was) But when you've been up there a little while it gets so much easier I hope this helps and good luck...

Answer 2

Most people on stage get stage fright, at least at first. Here's what I would do: (I've acted and played music on stage many times)

First, get a group of friends and / or family together (if they're willing to help) and play your song(s) for them. While doing so, look them square in the eye. This ought to convince you that you really know your stuff, and that you can play in front of people.

Second, if you're really afraid of forgetting your music, why not try having a music stand with the song(s) on it... if you get confused, you can look at it. I know people who've taped the words to their guitar, so all they had to do was look down.

Third, as was mentioned, the lights are usually fairly bright, but you might still be a bit scared. If you are, just go back to that place in your mind where you sang for your friends and family and pretend that these people are friends and family. The applause will certainly reinforce the fact that you're as good as you are and the energy will help you play your next piece.

Answer 3

i have played guitar for over 16 yrs now and when i first started playing out i was nervous as he!! too. just dont think about the croud being there. even though i got past that nervous thing along time ago and i love playing out now, once in a great while for some reason i still get a little nervous at certain places or infront of certain people. if i do get nervous when im playing somewhere i dont look directly at the people when im playing or singing, like if im playing in a bar i would look over everyone while im playing. im not saying im staring at the ceiling or anything like that, its hard to explain i just look straight out and i dont look at anyone directly. its been a long time since ive been nervous about playing somewhere, now its like im just ready to go and play anywhere. last year i got a little nervous when my band opened up for the Southern Rock Allstars, BUT IT WAS STILL COOL. GUNNER ROSS < the drummer from ted nugents band showed up at that gig and sat in with S.R.A and after he played he just hung around and partied with all of us it was pretty cool

Answer 4

HEY THERE...EVERYONE HAS PRETTY GOOD SUGGESTIONS TO YOUR QUESTION...OF COURSE, THERE IS NO DEFINITE ANSWER...MY ADVICE---JUST DO IT!!! MY BAND PERFORMS ABOUT 200 SHOWS A YEAR, AND QUITE HONESTLY, THERE IS A LITTLE NERVOUSNESS WITH ME STILL TO THIS DAY...IT'S FUNNY YOU SAY YOU'RE OPENING FOR A TRIBUTE BAND...I WAS IN A KISS TRIBUTE BAND FOR SEVERAL YEARS...TALK ABOUT NERVOUS....MY FIRST SHOW WAS AT A CLUB CALLED PINK E'S IN LAS VEGAS (HELL OF A CITY FOR A THEN INNOCENT REDNECK FROM UPSTATE NY)....I SWEAR THERE WAS NO LESS THAN 7-800 PEOPLE IN THAT CLUB....WHEN I WAS USED TO PLAYING IN FRONT OF 50-100....SHELL SHOCK!!!!! BUT, I KNEW I HAD TO DO IT, SO I DID....6-7 YEARS LATER, HUNDREDS OF SHOWS, AUTOGRAPHS, HOTELS AND A HELL OF A LOT OF MILES....IT GOT EASY....NOT TO SAY THAT I WAS NEVER NERVOUS....NERVOUSNESS IS JUST YOUR MIND REMINDING YOU THAT YOU ARE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO....NOW GO PROVE IT TO EVERYONE!!!!!!

Answer 5

are you performing alone? i get really nervous whenever i have to perform alone. but usually when i'm performing with bandmates i feel whole a lot better. ask your friends to jam with you on stage. you'll feel better.

Answer 6

Drinking helps!!!!