Overcoming Stage Fright or Pre Performance Jitters
Anyone who has gotten up in front of other people (singing, speeches, teaching, etc.) will tell you what it�s like just before you get started. As you go over in your mind what you think is going to happen during the performance, your heart starts to race, your breathing rate increases, your hands start to get all clammy. Many call it stage fright others might only get some pre performance jitters. Even the greatest, most world-renowned performers and singers attest to still getting that rush of anxiety and emotion just before going up on stage. So what are some good techniques for overcoming that stage fright or those pre performance jitters?
Prior to going in front of a crowd, I always try to envision putting on a great performance and I experience all the joy and pleasure I would get afterward from knowing I did a great job. I try to focus more on how great I will feel afterward than the on the details of what I will do during a performance. This helps to alleviate my anxiety and allows things to flow more easily as I get started.
When on stage or in front of a crowd, I always try not to look at faces in the crowd right off the bat. I look just above people's heads so that it appears that you I�m looking at them without actually having to make eye contact. As things progress and my anxiety subsides, I gradually look at peoples faces and try to really feel the audience�s emotions. It�s not anything new to find that your favorite artist or band has either or admitted or been caught using some type of mood or mind altering substance just before going on stage or even during a performance. I�m not trying to judge anyone and if you�re into that sort of thing than so be it, but the worst thing you can do is ingest some type of substance just to get past your stage fright or pre performance jitters.
First of all alcohol and especially cigarettes are horrible for your vocal chords, and just like the actual affects of drug abuse, using substances to get over your performance anxiety will only lead to relying on these substances throughout your musical performance career. Not to mention the possibility of addiction and overdose. Besides, the audience wants to hear you perform, not some drugged up or drunk version of you. Instead, try singing and performing at smaller venues until you get comfortable and then work your way up to bigger audiences. You�re never going to get over the nervousness, so instead use these feelings to your advantage to put you into that hyper aware state that will really prepare you to rock the crowd. After you get on stage and embrace the anxious energy rather than fight it, you�re only going to grow as a performer and singer.
The best way to overcome stage fright and pre performance jitters is to simply practice. I can�t emphasize how important practice is to really get that edge you need in your performances. After all, the best confidence booster is just knowing that you�ve been there and done that before. Just have fun, and try not to over think about how well you�re singing or performance will be.