What are some tips for overcoming nervousness when performing?

Question

I sing a lot in front of fairly large audiences, sometimes solo sometimes as a group. Even though I have been singing for so long, how can I overcome my nervousness?

Answer 1

This may (or may not) come as a shock to you but "nervousness" is not a bad thing.

Nervousness is your mind and body telling you that you care about what it is you are about to do. You feel a huge sense of responsibility to give your audience the best possible performance you can possibly give. Allow this energy to work for you, not against you. Those little butterflies in your stomach are your friends.

If (and/or when) you lose this nervousness before appearing in front of any audience is when you'll have a real dilemma. Don't ever lose it. This will be the first surefire sign that your love for performing and your passion for singing is losing it's luster.

Answer 2

If you're good at what you do, and people pay to see and hear you, then a certain amount of confidence from that knowledge will help you overcome some of the nervousness, or stage fright as it is called.

Nervousness has its advantages, however. Feeling nervous before a performance always induces the thinking processes to rapidly function thereby bringing positive performing. Because nervousness is present always remember to slow down and enunciate carefully your words because nervousness speeds up the actions of the performer.

Being nervous before your performance is common among all entertainers. Only constant practice and public exposure will make it seem easier.

If you can make positive eye contact with part of the audience, and develop rapport with them, it will alleviate some of the misgivings you might have.

Answer 3

I used to hide behind my drums,tipping the cymbals so that nobody could see me.My nervousness was from my inability to recognize my own talent.I would try so hard to do good that I would make mistakes.By realizing that having fun was more important than what people thought and with positive feedback from listeners,I found my nervousness,worry and mistakes disappear.Just let go and have fun.Everyone gets nervous for different reasons,but the more you dwell on it,the worse it becomes.Relax.When you absorb yourself in the love of singing and the fun you are having,the nervousness is forgotten.

Answer 4

Realize that you truly want to be onstage. So simple, but many people delude themselves, or are forced onstage by aggressive stage parents. The desire to get in front of a group of people and entertain them must be strong. Doing a performance just to please family and/or friends isn’t the way to go.

Like with public speaking, if you’ll be onstage singing or speaking, you must utilize your breathing in a sensible way. If possible, breathe only through your nose. It’s advisable to be trained by a professional, whether a voice coach or a yoga instructor. After all, your body is your instrument and must be treated with the utmost care and respect.

Visualization is also a common method of alleviating anxiety. There are many books on this subject, as there are videotapes you can rent and courses/seminars you can take. Investigate them, as positive visualization can make a good performance great. A simple exercise to do before getting onstage is to make a visual run through of yourself in whatever role you’re performing. Incorporating this with slow, deep breathing can be of benefit to you. You may want to do this once or several times, depending upon how much time you have.

As for your costume or uniform, make sure it’s clean, pressed and that you’re wearing it in time for the performance. The same goes for makeup, be sure it’s applied before the curtain rises. If you’re an actor, you’ll hopefully have all your lines memorized. Musicians needing sheet music, dancers and their shoes, all performers need to have anything that will accompany them onstage with them or otherwise at the ready. Preparedness will help alleviate stage fright. The nerves or ‘butterflies in the stomach’ that occur before showtime affect rank beginners and seasoned performers alike. You simply harness that energy into your performance.

Remember you’re an entertainer and you’re simply doing your job! It’s a wonderful profession to be involved in, no matter if you’re an amateur or a professional. When you’re onstage, it’s important to think of yourself as a pro and always do your best.

Answer 5

A great way that I have learned is to practice in front of people, but not just anybody. Go in front of the scariest people you can think of. At college, I'd go around the practice rooms and find people and ask: can I play this for you? Usually I'd try to find people who were somewhat intimidating to help practice overcoming stage fright. I really didn't do this enough, but it does help a lot.
Rock on.

Answer 6

You need to experience being nervous until that feeling no longer phases you, which means, you need to force yourself to be on the spot more. maybe, go sing at karaoke a few nights a week until that feeling goes away.

tell yourself in your head "i am not nervous" before and after your performance and, sooner than later, you will never be phased by a solo again.

it worked (and still works) for me.

Answer 7

I've been performing from a young age and I'm okay now.. I guess the key is practise! Know your lyrics and song as well as possible then perform as often as you can.

Answer 8

I know it may sound corney but just forget about them just do wat you wana do sing it is youre mike youre stage and have fun with it I have been in many productions and the reason a person gets the part by haveing fun up there on stage