Question:
So maybe this isn't quite the forum to post in, if not mods please move it.
I want to perform in front of people so bad, but I have this big stage fright problem. It happened again today: I sang in front of my English class, and really I shouldn't've been worried. As far as I know, I'm the only one who can sing in there. But I just...I started shaking, I couldn't think, I started in too low of a key, and of course I didn't hit anything very accurately (as in, couldn't do this little turnabout there, slid up a little on a pitch here, etc etc), and I definitely wasn't able to perform very musically. The same thing happens when I play piano recitals. But I mean, I can understand being more afraid on piano: I can't play it NEARLY as well as the people in my piano studio. But I think with singing it'd be different; guess not Anyone got any ideas?
Answer:
Well, with singing, i know how you feel. I sing much better alone than i do in front of people. For playing the instrument, the only thing i know to do to overcome stage fright to an extent is master what you're going to be playing. Practice as much as possible and try to know it inside out. For me, playing guitar in public has become easier with experience, but im always a nervous wreck right before i play.
Answer:
i am in choir and play guitar, and i don't really sing or play alone infront of too many people, but my family. whenever i played or sang cirtian members of my family will always say, " i'm sure there are lots of two year olds that can do that better than you." or i get the " why can't you learn to play like estibon ( can't spell it srry!)" and at first i got really discouraged. But then i realized that it dosn't really matter what people think, i am using what ever gift i have to glorify God, not to make myself look good. I don't know if that sounds really corny, but it helped me, so best of luck to ya!!
Answer:
Originally Posted by jengoesup Anyone got any ideas?
Yeah, I got a great one: join Toastmasters.
Toastmasters is a club for public speaking. You get this incredible training giving short little speeches that are only 3-5, 4-6, or 5-7 minutes long. What this does is gets you in front of an excellent, very forgiving, supportive, positive group of people, all who got their start there as well, and who can give you excellent feedback. You'll find it very easy to get over your fear of appearing or presenting in front of people, which in this case would be in the form of public speaking.
Interesting side note: in the Book of Lists, which has a list for just about every category you can think of, they had a list of the "Top Ten Fears". Guess what the #1 Fear was. Death? Nope, that was #7. The #1 Fear, bigger than Death, Snakes, Heights, Flying, you name it, the #1 fear was Speaking In Public.
Think about it: Most people would rather die than speak in public. You are not alone in this.
Now, why do I suggest joining a speech giving club to overcome this fear of singing in public? Because it's all the same thing. It's presenting to an audience, be it your ideas, your proposals, your suggestions, or your songs! It's all the same. The Fear of being Judged. The Fear of Failing in front of them. The Fear of Being Found Out.
But the truth is, once you get good at presenting, it gets addictive, and you fall in love with it, and can't get enough of it! You gain ownership and mastery of stagecraft and, most importantly, the stage.
Now, how does this relate to singing? Well, in Toastmasters, they love interesting, colorful, informative presentations. It's lots of fun, and is very educational to the other members. Perhaps some members are a bit stodgy, boring, or humdrum, and are looking to jazz things up. Well, if you do a colorful presentation with all sorts of A/V, that can give them ideas, so such presentations are encouraged.
Well, what better Audio and Visual than yourself singing? And not even a whole song either! After you do your first speech (appropriately named "The Icebreaker"), you can do a speech or two on your joy and love of singing (or guitar playing), and you can do a speech on different singing methods, or even some basic singing techniques or something. If it doesn't sound perfect, no one will know the difference.
Do you see how easy it would be to segue into singing for others? Once you get over people in front of people, I'm sure all sorts of opportunities will present themselves to you, like at church and such.
What do you think so far?
Chesh
Answer:
Originally Posted by jengoesup So maybe this isn't quite the forum to post in, if not mods please move it.
I want to perform in front of people so bad, but I have this big stage fright problem. It happened again today: I sang in front of my English class, and really I shouldn't've been worried. As far as I know, I'm the only one who can sing in there. But I just...I started shaking, I couldn't think, I started in too low of a key, and of course I didn't hit anything very accurately (as in, couldn't do this little turnabout there, slid up a little on a pitch here, etc etc), and I definitely wasn't able to perform very musically. The same thing happens when I play piano recitals. But I mean, I can understand being more afraid on piano: I can't play it NEARLY as well as the people in my piano studio. But I think with singing it'd be different; guess not Anyone got any ideas? More experience will help stage fright go away.
Just so you know... Most people have stage fright, even people who seem pretty good on stage. For instance, I feel jittery every time I get in front of people, but I'm told that I seem easy-going and charismatic. The more experience you have, the better you will do. You need to have confidence in the fact that you are good at whatever you are performing.
You might also take up dancing. The only people who care if you "can't dance" are insecure cowards, so it's a great way to do something "in front of people" (i.e., on the dance floor) and learn to be confident. Everyone I know who dances much is very good on stage, regardless of whether they are good at dancing.
Answer:
I think of it this way if I'm playing in front of friends...that their my friends and who cares if I fail in front of them, cause either it'll be sweet...or can laugh about it later...but if its other people...I mean I think of it as who cares they don't know me, so if I mess up, they'll forget tommorrow...and if they isn't not worth worrying about....sometimes all that counts is that you're actually doing it...
Answer:
Thanks for your advice, guys I'm going to try to sing with the jazz band sometime soon (since I also play piano for them), I'll let y'all know how that goes
Answer:
Yeah. They all have really great advice. I suggest praying before you get out there. That always helps me. Granted I was just the drummer.. but still..
I'll be praying for you.
xx