Managing Performance Anxiety When Singing

Performance anxiety is a big problem among performers of all kinds and at all levels of experience. You might be surprised to hear that performance anxiety can actually help your performance. The trick is to be prepared for it and not to let it get the better of you. It’s important to identify the source of fear, in order to deal with it successfully.

Some of the most common fears are: cracking during the performance and not being able to hit the high note; looking stupid in front of friends; forgetting the words to the song; fearing success or failure, rejection, or the unknown. Naming the fear enables you to go after the problem and beat it. After you find the source, move forward and find a solution to eliminate it and not just the symptom.

You will notice that with adrenaline comes a racing heart. Running in place until you’re out of breath is one way to duplicate the effect of an adrenaline rush – then practice singing while your heart races. Being out of breath while you practice helps you get used to singing phrases where you desperately want to just exhale and not sing. Breathlessness is similar to what happens when anxiety strikes during the performance. Every time you take the breath, you can feel it falling into your body. It is important to understand that even when the heart is pounding, you can sing. It’s just not easy.

Did you know thousands of people have this feeling right before a performance? Whether it’s butterflies, shaky knees, a sudden dry mouth, the urge to run, shaky hands, nausea or many other issues, any one of them can surface.

Most singers assume they should be calm and collective before a performance, but for most people it’s just not the case and believing they should be only increases the anxiety.If you expect the nervous feelings, you’ll be in a much better position to sing through them. Once you learn to take control of your nerves you can use that adrenaline to actually enhance your performance. Just by reframing the thought process and acknowledging your nerves, will allow you to seize the opportunity and improve your performance.

For more great information on improving your live singing performance and confidence in singing, be sure to check out this learn to sing online website.

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