How to Sing Better by Curing Stage Fright

Member

By Diane Cass
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Curing Stage Fright

Stage Fright is a singer's nemesis. It can rob you of your dulcet tones and leave you weak at the knees or so frozen you can't move. Years of performances before thousands of people have taught me a few tricks. I will pass them on to you to help you get over your stage fright.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

REALIZE YOU ARE NOT ALONE - The first thing you need to know about stage fright is that you are not alone...everybody experiences it, even the experienced, EVEN THE GREATS. I heard Harry Conick Jr., yesterday, telling Racheal Ray about a time when he sang for Frank Sinatra's birthday concert...talk about PRESSURE! All the greats were there. He found Ella Fitzgerald backstage rocking back and forth and mumbling to herself. When he asked if he could do anything for her, she just said something like "Oh, it's just stage fright". What can you get out of this? That everybody gets stage fright...BUT, it can be overcome. Have you ever seen Ella Fitzgerald falter in her performance?
Step 2

ABSORB THE GOOD VIBES - One thing that really helped me early in my singing career was finding out that the audience genuinely wants me to succeed! I was a painfully shy teenager. I was so afraid of making a mistake, or that the audience wouldn't like me, that stage fright took over me and I practically whispered when I sang. A friend came to me and said, "You have a beautiful voice and we all want to hear it. Sing out, we want you to do well"! That comment changed my life! When I realized that everyone in the audience was my actually rooting for me, and wanted me to do well, I was so much more comfortable. I relaxed and began to sing out. My audience appreciated it. I was singing to my friends.
Step 3

Curing Stage Fright

EMBRACE THE LIGHTS - A common "cure" advised for stage fright is to "think of the audience being naked". That never worked for me. I didn't need something making me laugh in the middle of my song. Instead, I embraced the lights. Most of the time, with the bright stage lights in your face, you can't even see the audience. I allow the lights to wrap me up like a cocoon. I picture myself safe, and warm in the lights. The massive crowd goes away and I focus on one or two smiling faces that I can see in the crowd...and sing to them.
Step 4

DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT - I will scan the crowd, like I am looking at them, but never make eye contact. I look at their smiles, I look over the tops of their heads, but never look into someones eyes. A direct connect can startle you sometimes, especially if you see something there that is unexpected.
Step 5

DO PROPER SHOW PREP - Before I ever go on, I always say a prayer. I believe that God gave me my voice and He wants me to sing, so I will rely on Him to help me do my best. When I focus on God, and not myself, I don't get as nervous and do better on stage. In fact, I usually get nervous AFTER it is all over. I'm cool up to, and all the way through the performance, then come off of the stage shaking like a leaf. So, that's how I cure stage fright.

Comments

e-Rambler said

Flag This Comment

on 1/3/2009 Excellent article. I have EXTREME stage fright. I force myself to pretend the audience were rocks, but that didn't always work for me! Now I should try yours. Thanks a bunch.