Many performers, particularly singers, experience stage fright. Although performing is an enjoyable experience, it can be nerve-wracking for many people. Everybody experiences some anxiety before a performance. Some people have more anxiety than others. However, it is possible to overcome it. Here are 10 tips to help you overcome stage fright while singing. For bonus tips, make sure you stay until the end.
Make sure you are prepared.
You should know by now that singing on stage is easier when you are prepared. Practice, practice, practice! You will soon be able to sing the songs that you know. You’ll feel less nervous when you go up on stage if you’re prepared. This will give you more peace of mind and allow you to concentrate on your performance, rather than worrying about whether you do everything right.
Also, it would be best if you were ready for everything. You need to know how to get there and set it up once you are there. Your outfit should be planned for the performance. Plan the order in which you will perform the songs and the actions you’ll perform on stage. Do everything you can to prepare.
Visit the Venue
The venue where you will be performing is a great way to calm your nerves before the performance. You will be able to familiarize yourself with the venue and surroundings. This will give you an idea of how it will feel on performance day/night.
You can also visit the venue to plan your performance, get an idea of the limitations, and be more aware of what you should be cautious of. The unknown is what causes stage fright and anxiety. This extra step removes one of the unknown factors and allows you to focus more energy on preparing for your performance.
Being Present
Being more present is one of the best tips to overcome stage fright. Do not think about the future or the past. Keep your attention on the present and react accordingly. You can be present by focusing on what is happening and allowing yourself to feel the emotions, thoughts, or feelings that arise.
This is a great way to meditate. It is a great idea to practice being present to others, especially singers and performers. You’ll be more present in your life if you do this more often. This will also translate to your performance on stage.
Ask the right questions.
This tip is from Ken Taylor, my vocal coach. It has helped me overcome stage anxiety and changed my mindset about performing. When we feel anxious, we all have questions to ask ourselves. “What if my performance is not perfect?” “What if they don’t like my voice?”
“What if I perform well?” “How do I make it possible to perform in front of this audience?” “What happens if they love me?” These kinds of questions can be more encouraging. These questions will change your mindset before you take to the stage and make you less anxious. This advice will change your outlook and help you overcome stage anxiety when you sing on stage.
Smile and be confident in your body posture
Smile when you are on stage. Smiles can make you feel happier and help to create a positive atmosphere. Smiles can relax you and your audience. Your positive energy can have a profound effect on everyone’s mood. Your audience will feel more at ease, and you’ll feel better. You’ll be able to concentrate on your performance if the crowd has fun.
Combining a smile and a confident posture will show the crowd you can provide a positive experience.
Create a Pre-performance Ritual for You
It is a great way to relax and get in the mood to perform. You can do whatever you like, so long as it makes you feel prepared. Some performers do breathing exercises to calm down, while others use a routine to get them ready for the stage. Your routine could be used as a warm-up.
Even though I was not a singer, I did vocal warm-ups with all my band members. We start making the most bizarre and funny sounds together as we warm up while also incorporating our bodies. We try to be as silly as possible. It takes away any nerves we may have right before the performance and puts us in a good mood so we can pass that on to the audience. I have always found it has helped me perform better, being the lead singer.
Find a friendly face in the crowd.
This is a helpful tip to remember when you feel nervous on stage. It can be nerve-wracking to look out at the crowd and see all these faces staring right at you. Performers are often judged by all who watch. It is easy to become intimated by the crowd.
You can make performing more enjoyable by looking for friendly faces in the crowd. It can make a big difference in your audience’s perception if you find that one person. Performers often feel intimated because they believe they are not welcome to perform. It’s much easier to find someone you can trust, and it can make a big difference in your mood. You will feel more excited to perform and have more fun with the people around you.
Create a different persona for the stage
It’s a great tip to overcome stage fright while singing. This will help you distinguish between your nervous self and a more confident alter-ego. You’ll appear as if your character is on stage. This helps to overcome the fear of judgement that many singers feel. In a way, it is you who is being judged.
This is a common practice that many performers use, and it has proven to be very successful. You should give it a try and see if you like it.
Performer exposure
You can overcome stage fright by getting more performing experience. You will feel more confident singing in front of people, regardless of whether you perform in front of a large crowd or one person. Do not wait for the right opportunity to perform in front of people. Instead, get out there and make them happen.
You will feel more confident in yourself and more comfortable on stage. Get out there and start practising!
Enjoy a Good Night’s Rest
A good night’s rest is crucial to your performance. Performers on stage can be very demanding, especially singers who may have to use their vocals for hours. Anxiety can lead to more sleeplessness. This is where it gets interesting, as anxiety can cause sleeplessness.
It doesn’t matter how big or small the performance, and you want to be at your best. You will feel energized and ready for a great performance if you get enough sleep the night before.
Bonus Tips
Visualize your success
Visualize your success on stage, no matter how cliché this might sound. Before you start, think about what a successful performance might look like for you. Imagine what success looks like on stage and how it feels. Positive thoughts will make you feel more motivated and less anxious.
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Other Drugs
Although you might need caffeine to get more energy or alcohol to relax before performing, both can lead to anxiety. Your body can experience anxiety-like sensations when you consume caffeine. Caffeine can increase your heart rate and breathing rate and heat your body. Because your mind associates these sensations with anxiety, it can cause more anxiousness.
It is not a good idea to drink alcohol before performing, especially if your stage fright is a problem. While drinking now and again is okay, drinking alcohol to manage anxiety is dangerous. Although alcohol can be a relaxing agent, it could depend on alcohol. You’ll end up feeling worse as your anxiety could increase if alcohol is not consumed. This is not the kind of pre-performance ritual that you want to have.