How can I get comfortable singing in front of people?

Question

I am 13. I have posted clips of me singing. They said I have a nice voice, but I should get a teacher to learn breath support and technique. I am have my first vocal Saturday. My piano teacher wanted to see where my voice was today she was playing around a low G. I have practice those notes at home and I can hit them correctly, but when I try to do it in front of someone, I do horribly. The only person I am unafraid of singing in front of is my brother but he has heard me singing forever. Do you have any advice? I don't want my vocal teacher to think I sound horrible when I don't.

Answer 1

Let it happen little by little. Don't know much of anything about singing teachers, but many of the people who have one the Emmy's never had them.

Dolly Parton didn't have them. Many of them were even told to stop singing at the dinner table, like Loretta Lynn.

When it comes from you're heart, it just feels right, and you want to give it to somebody. You have that feeling already, with you're little brother, you can feel it.

Now don't listen to anybody to much, but go on out there, and all those people will be you're little brother.

We are all the same anyway, so they are all you're little brother.

Answer 2

Here is what I always do

First, you must know what your problem is, in this case, you are afraid to make a mistake and afraid what others might think of you.

Second, to solve the abovementioned problem. What you need is good practice. It's great to have someone tell you that you have a nice voice. There can be only be one reason: You DO have a nice voice. Tell yourself this over and over again.

Next, before you perform, clear your mind of anything that makes you nervous. Relax. Visualise a dumpster. Place all your troubles in it and close the lid and push it away. This will include negative thoughts such as your piano teacher, what people will think of you, etc etc

During your performance, tell yourself "i have made it this far, i have made it thes far, i have made it this far...". This gives you drive to get the performance over and done with. Remember to avoid all slipshod work during your performance. Don't rush.

I hope you do well for your vocals this Saturday ;)

acuriouskid from Singapore

Answer 3

Here's what you do. I sing all the time, perform at clubs and here's how I got ready to get where I am today. If you're majorally nervous, here's how I started, I did my singing on the phone. Ask a friend, and say,"Can you tell me if I sound good at all?" And sing right there on the phone. Even though you can't see the person, it's still intimidating because you know they're listening to you "live". Then, start singing in front of maybe your parents, because no matter what, ur parents always think U'll sound good. So there will be no imbarrassment. get the feeling of just singing in front of a person. Then after you've accomplished that, start singing in front of a very close friend, and then start making the crowd bigger. you'll lose ur fear, believe me. Trust me on this, I do this almost every weekend at clubs around people I don't even know!

Answer 4

I think you should get your brother to come to the vocal class. And i have the exact same problem as you. I think singing infront of four people is scarier then singing infront of a whole audience. Okay, if you know you can sing well, then that's all you need to do well when you sing infront of her. When you sing, look away from her. As soon as you hit the first few notes you will be comfertable in singing the whole scale infront of her. And before the class begins, you should tell her that you are nervous and she won't be as hard on you. Because someone who sings horribly has all the right reason to go to vocal lessons, so it doesn't matter whether you sing well or not the first round because you can always redeem yourself in the end.

Answer 5

One thing that might help is to make a recording of yourself singing. That will make you aware that the performance "counts", and will also help you improve.

As for the low notes - I have had the same problem, and eventually found that I was trying to sing *louder* when I was in a stressful situation. I can't sing low notes loudly.

Your vocal teacher is there to help and teach you. That is what he/she is paid to do! Just tell the teacher what your problem is, and he/she should be able to help you correct it. As others have said, you go to a teacher because you are not perfect, not because you want to impress them with your skill!

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Your teacher won't think you're horrible. S/he'll understand that you're a beginner and is there to help you improve. Did your piano teacher think you stink when you first came to her/him? Besides, if you're already perfect, then your teacher wouldn't have a job to do.
As for public singing, do it A LOT. It will seem really uncomfortable at first, but soon it will be second nature to you. Practicing also really helps this problem. If you really know the material you're singing, you will be far more comfortable while performing.

Answer 7

Come on kid! If I have your voice, I'll be more than proud and hapy to sing for everybody! Have you seen the movie "The Best Game ever Played"? it's a movie regarding golf. Before the player swings his bat(or whatever they call that), he makes everyone vanish from his sight... He sees no one so he can concentrate. That's the power of imagination. It's all in the mind. But in your case, you don't have to make everyone vanish. They're part of singing. Your voice was given to you to let everybody hear it. Don't be shy. First times are always first time. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Repetition... by doing something over and over again, people usually overcome their fears. After all practice makes perfect.

I know that others have mentioned your brother maybe coming to the first couple of lessons, but I think that is only going to make you lean on him as a "crutch" longer. Just get to class, tell your teacher about your fears, and go from there! I have no doubt that you will be entirely superfabulous!

Answer 9

Try singing with your eyes closed in front of your teacher until you're more comfortable with him or her, or build up an immunity by starting to sing in front of your brother AND other people (like your mom and/or dad), adding another person whenever you begin to feel comfortable with that amount of people. I know it's nerve wracking at first, but it'll get better, I promise! :D

Answer 10

The only way you are going to feel comfortable in front of an audience is to get yourself in front of one. If there are any open mike nights in your town, hang out, sing a bit, and keep working on that. Karaoke nights might be cheesy, but they might be a fun way of losing your fears.