Stage fright manifests itself in a feeling of excitement with internal panic. Experts accumulate a decent arsenal of technical solutions to such a problem.
And, as in the situation with any other symptom, technical solutions are not always effective. Therefore, we also need to try mental methods.
This article covers 19 tips on how to get over stage fright singing.
Check it out now!
How To Get Over Stage Fright Singing?
Excitement is also self-doubt. It presents in two aspects:
- your body’s physiological response to stress: heart palpitations, sweating, trembling limbs
- your mental response: panic, anxiety, obsessive thoughts of failure.
Here are 19 tips of how to get over stage fright for singing:
#1. Imagine Yourself Alone
There can be a lot of options, depending on the imagination. You can try to disconnect from reality and imagine no one around.
Imagine that you are in a completely different place, for example, at home. It’s possible to imagine what is behind the mirrored glass.
It means you see others, but they do not see or hear you. You also conceive that your ambiance is just a reproduced video sequence, like TV. And, accordingly, no one sees you either.
#2. Focus On What You Do, Not How It Looks
The excitement invariably goes with concerns about what others will think of us. However, you must focus your attention on the task you are completing.
We can accomplish it all because one of the qualities of this cognitive process is the ability to direct attention. Meditation is an excellent way to practice this ability regularly.
#3. Reduce The Significance Of What Is Happening
In your imagination, add an element of comic or ridiculousness to the situation. One of the most frequently used examples is to imagine that everyone is wearing diapers.
#4. Squared Breathing
Imagine a square including four sides. Each side corresponds to a certain phase of breathing.
- Inhale for four counts
- Pause for the same four counts
- Exhale for four counts
- Pause for the same four counts
Breathe like that for some time, accompanying counting and breathing with visualization by moving the inner gaze along the sides of the square breathing.
You may find the strategy described below in practically every anxiety-related post on the internet. Singers and performers will benefit from the one I propose below.
Deep breathing: This is all it takes to relax for some people. It opens the diaphragm, delivers oxygen, and helps us to develop correct breathing techniques.
Don’t use your deep breathing session to test whether or not your support is working. It is going to make you nervous.
It would help if you practiced your support sooner. The purpose of deep breathing is to calm both your breath and your thoughts.
Important: Your neck should be long, your ears should be exactly above your shoulders, and you should move your shoulders and neck a bit between breaths to avoid being stiff.
#5. Imagine The Worst Has Already Happened
When you are preparing to perform and notice the excitement, you might wonder what you are afraid of. I must say right away that at this moment, two parts seem to live in us: one adult, logical, and the other childish, irrational.
And to the question to myself, what is the worst thing that can happen? The rational one will answer that it happened.
And then you will persuade yourself and explain to her that there is no point in being afraid. When you get your answer, pretend it has already happened. And you have nothing to lose in this case.
First, it will suddenly become clear that the worst-case scenario is not dire. Second, the very fact that certainty appears reduces anxiety.
Remember the session at the university. If you have ever failed an exam, you may remember that your anxiety faded away both after a bad mark and after successfully passing the exam.
#6. Desensitization Method
It entails repeatedly repeating a stressful experience, beginning with a low degree of stress and gradually increasing the stressor’s severity.
That is, imagine yourself performing in front of a two-person audience, and these are your close pals.
Then have a conversation with them. Then three or two folks who aren’t as close.
Repeat this process until it becomes peaceful. And gradually increase the number of persons while decreasing the degree of intimacy with them.
Another way to feel more at ease and confident is to put yourself in the opponent’s shoes in public.
As you could expect, your enthusiasm level plummeted after that. We won’t say it’s gone, but it’s gotten much more portable.
Our enthusiasm is frequently based on what we anticipate others will condemn. And, in many cases, such expectations do not match reality.
#7. Efforts To Cope With Anxiety
Paradoxically, efforts to cope with anxiety keep him alive. It is an important element of the system, without which it will not work. Therefore, if you try to increase the excitement, the system crashes.
But don’t get creative here. Just imagine that you have some muscle anxiety. And carefully try to strain this muscle.
In most cases, the result will be an anxiety reduction. In more rare cases, it turns out to strengthen it. You are in control of the state.
You did it purposefully, with an effort of will. It means that you will reduce the lack of control. Realize this, and the condition is likely to improve, too.
#8. Let The Excitement Be
If you have a good ear, you can recognize how famous singers sometimes make mistakes in their live performances on TV.
So why should you worry? Just try to work through all the difficult moments for you in work at the stage of its preparation.
Try to cope with the inner cycle of excitement. We can somehow relate to our state or attitude.
Panic arises over the excitement. And so, there is a great way to deal with anxiety.
Just decide for yourself: “Okay, I’m worried. Well, okay. I’ll get worried and keep doing what I was going to do.”
#9. Practice And Practice Again
The more often you perform, the easier it will be for you to control your emotions, and your stage control will be better. You are not worried about routine matters, are you?
First, speak in front of a mirror or video camera. Then in front of a loved one, then two, then in front of the whole family or a group of friends of five people, then 10, then 30.
For this, you may approach children who study in the neighborhood in other offices or their colleagues. Sometimes, announce to everyone about a small concert, and they come in when they walk by or have a few free minutes.
#10. Perform The Suitable Songs
Not every piece is suitable for every performer. You will perform a well-chosen song with pleasure.
And this will certainly affect the quality and confidence of the performance.
#11. Avoid Caffeine
You may believe that a buzz is required to get you pumped for your performance. On the other hand, caffeine beverages will raise your heart rate and make you agitated and nervous. Salt, quick food, and sugar are among the items to avoid.
#12. Do Some Yoga
Relaxing your entire body will assist you in achieving a tranquil state of mind.
It teaches you to focus on what you can control rather than what you can’t. It also teaches you to live in the now and permeates the rest of your life.
#13. Singing With Others
If the notion of being alone in front of a large audience makes you nervous, start by singing with others. Join a choir or a vocal group. Find a partner with whom you can perform regularly. In this manner, you may have someone accompany you on stage until you get the courage to go solo.
#14. Watch Something Hilarious
You will watch puppies romping in heavy snow on YouTube. Alternatively, text a buddy who always makes you giggle. Your body will produce endorphins when you laugh, as they are when you exercise. And they help you feel less anxious.
#15. Improve Your Posture
Don’t let your brain urge your body to droop, fidget, or bury your head into your shoulders. Straighten your back, stretch your neck, and hang your arms lightly.
Fixing your posture might trick your brain into thinking there’s nothing to be concerned about. As though you’re a superhero, take a stand.
#16. Relax Your Mind By Meditating
You can meditate shortly before a performance or even hours before. Regular meditation allows you to connect with a calmer, wiser part of yourself beyond your current emotions.
#17. Accept Your Anxiety And Stress
Tell yourself it’s okay to be worried, and then begin to work the tension out of your system. Start with your toes and work your way up, gripping and releasing your muscles.
#18. Consider Being Ill
Consider a scenario in which you stepped out before a concert and warned the crowd that you had laryngitis and could have some technical difficulties.
When a vocalist is excused for being unwell, their tension usually dissipates, and they frequently give one of their finest performances.
Consider how tolerant the audience would be if you were unwell and make an announcement about it. Imagine if the audience is always this forgiving, even if you aren’t sick.
#19. Talk To A Professional
Talking to a therapist if your performance anxiety is acute might be beneficial. If you think your anxieties are becoming an issue, you should discuss them with your music coach.
They could have some helpful recommendations, and they can comfort you since they know how hard you’ve been working. The American Psychiatric Association has a wonderful list of other organizations and resources if you want to learn more.
One final thought: a little stage fear is beneficial. You’ll reach new heights of enthusiasm and energy if you harness that additional adrenaline and excitement into your performance.
That may be thrilling for both you and your audience. It’s not simple to overcome stage fear, but with the appropriate tools, you may shine like the star you were born to be onstage.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these pieces of advice will help you know how to get over stage fright singing. Besides, many of these methods work with other senses, such as embarrassment, work with other senses.
We have tested all these tools in life and practice. Some of them, we regularly use to this day. If suddenly none of the above helps, you can contact a psychologist. Peace of mind and confidence!
