What are good ways to overcome stage fright?

Question

All my life ive had a passion for music. I always sound great when im around people im comfortable with, but as soon as im in front of strangers, my throat gets so tight, i sound terrible. I know I worry about what people think of me, btu it also has to do with me not wanting people to truely know me. My past is a hard one, and when I sing I give my heart, and I cant trust too many people with my heart, and I dont want them all to see all the pain ive been in my life.

being a stay at home mother its hard to get out. Not to mention my extra weight from the baby i just had isnt ideal for the music industry, i feel they all wouldn't hear me, only see my weight. Im not BIG, but im 30 pounds heavier then before i got pregnant. I need the motovation to lose the weight. My husband doesnt help with motovation too much, because he tells me he likes the extra weight. LOL

Answer 1

I used to get horrible stage fright. I am in my 40s, and I got debilitating stage fright since I was 11. I even remember what caused it, and I know exactly when it got worse. It got so bad, that it is the single reason I am not a professional musician. Then I had a revelation over the summer this year. I play in a community band, and any time that my part was going to "stick out" I didn't really play. Flubbed, or just didn't at all. But I was sitting there at rehearsal and I realized two things:

1. the group doesn't sound that good when there are parts missing

and

2. I really love what I do. You don't get that many chances in life to do what you really love.

Another point to remember when you are making a presentation or doing a performance:

The people really don't want you to stink. They are on your side, and rooting for your success.

To lessen your nervousness, you can move around some. Don't keep your hands in your pockets. Do not look at anyone you think is evaluating you. Find a friend and look at them.

Concentrate on the music, not the audience.

I hope some of my suggestions are useful to you.

Answer 2

You are on the right track my dear when you admit that you have a stage fright. Everyone has. Or used to have. But the thing with overcomers was that they were able to subdue their stage fright thru time and much much experience on stage.

First things first, you have to buffer up your self-esteem. If you always think lowly of yourself in a very uncomfortable and so conscious manner, then you will really end up frightened.

Figuratively and literally speaking, try to stand with forehead tilted high. You are a child of someone up there and you are fashioned in no ordinary means my dear. What I mean is that you work on your paradigm, your disposition, your frame of mind. The battle starts there. Being comes before doing.

Second thing is that think of standing on stage as a skill in itself. By skill, we mean to say that you have to practice it over and over and over again until you get used to it. This could not be over-emphasized. There is no other way. You cannot learn swimming by reading only books, but you have to plunge on the water again and again until you become comfortable and even proficient with it. So it is with getting on stage.

Of course it pays if you have a cast of moral supporters like friends and love ones. But surely there would come a time when you have to do it on your own. Therefore, better strengthen your knees and give your heart out to your audience. Don't mind about what negative things they have to tell you. Treat their feedbacks as room for improvement rather than as reason for you to melt down and disappear.

Likewise, don't let your past bog you down. The pull of the future is more powerful than that. It is not about how you started that counts; it is how you finish the race. It's not about what you cannot do that matters; rather what matters to the world is what you can do, what you can offer.

Sing your heart out loud and clear, confident and oozing. The world is at your feet if you believe first in yourself. Tough times never last, but tough people do. Remember that.

Answer 3

I have stage fright too.. Um.. I try to get more on stage... I believe that you can overcome any fear as long as you try and put your effort in. Why don't you try standing more on stage? I try and try and I think my stage fright got a lot better. I even hated doing class presentations but I tried to overcome that fear by volunteering first and you just get used to it. And of course, don't get jealous about those people who don't have stage fright because that will just lower your self esteem.. Just concentrate on how you can overcome the fear... I don't know it works for me.. So why don't you try? Sort of like forcing yourself to get used to it.. but don't overdo it.. it takes time... so do it in a timely manner... Like.. if it gets too hard for you back off a little and come back to where you left off later.. I don't know if this will help... sorry...

Answer 4

First you have to faith in yourself that you can do it. Practice in front of a mirror at home. And when you get on stage, you don't have to look at everybody in the eyes, look at the back wall or find something you can focus on just for a minute until you start singing, Once you start singing it should be just you and your music. Forget about everybody else, its just you and the song, feelings are going to come into play, but that just tells the audience you are real, and we all can relate to that. Good luck and as you turn to the audience give a big smile and turn it loose.

Answer 5

Look above there heads not straight in the mirror.Maybe in fron of family for starters then throw in some friends.Go karaoking for starters.iused to be the same way.Now im over it.