Stage Fright Blues

Hi there,

Have you ever suffered with stage fright? Do you get overly nervous just at the thought of your up and coming performance? You are definitely not alone, a huge amount of artists feel the same way. But it can present itself in differing guises. For instance: Do you feel physically sick when just thinking about your imminent gig? Or do you worry that you won't be able to move or dance whilst you're singing? Are you concerned that you won't be able to sing those top notes? These are of course just a few of the symptoms that you can suffer with, from stage fright blues!

Stage fright is a state that can attack you at different times in your music career and doesn't just apply to performers in the traditional sense: those who appear on a stage, but can also afflict other people within the music industry, when they attend job interviews or in situations when you have to open yourself up to others' scrutiny.

Some of my clients in the music industry who have experienced stage fright have said that it came upon them suddenly after a number of years of performing, others have said that it attacked them at the beginning of their music careers, but got better the more performances they did. All have asked me however for tips on how deal with the nerves they suffer with, leading up to their performances.

Behind your nerves, can be the lack of confidence about your performance, your voice, your dancing or your ability to play your instrument. It is often exacerbated by the fact that you know that a record company is going to be watching your set, or your family and friends are going to be in the audience, some of which are your worst critics (beside yourself of course!). The bottom line is often the fear of what other people will think about you as a singer, a performer and ultimately as a person - the fear that they may not think that you are good enough to make it in this industry.

This lack of confidence is often best dealt with on an individual basis with a coach such as myself, so together, we can look at how you can improve your confidence or lack of self-esteem, to become the performer or person you want to be and to fulfil your music career aspirations. Sometimes the reasons for your lack of confidence or self-esteem may have nothing at all to do with your music, but unfortunately impacts on your performance all the same.

In the meantime the following tips may help you to control your stage fright leading up to your performance and specifically as you are waiting to go out on stage in front of your audience. Try out the ones that appeal to you and see how they work, mix and match them if you like and of course adapt them to your own needs. They come in no particular order!

Tip 1 - Shift your attitude! A lot of people see stage fright or nerves as a negative thing to have or feel. But you could try shifting your attitude to view them more positively. Think about those nerves as being a good thing to have - it means you are human and that you are alive! You could view them as adrenalin and that it is going to help you succeed in your performance, or your audition or whatever you are undertaking.

Tip 2 - It's all about the music! Isn't it? Think about the music you are going to play, think about the lyrics you are going to sing - do you feel the passion of them? Is performing what you love do to do or have always wanted to do? If so, when you are singing or playing, 'be in the moment', put your whole being into your performance - that way your focus will not be on your nerves, but on the music you are giving to your audience.

I have heard some artists saying that being able to sing or play an instrument is a gift. And when they perform they are giving their gift of music to their audience. So, instead of even thinking about their nerves, all they focus on is the giving of their gift, in the best way that they can.

Tip 3 - Visualisations. Can you visualise or imagine yourself on stage performing your songs? If so, imagine yourself performing in the way that you would like: moving, dancing, singing, laughing and having banter with the audience, smiling. If this is difficult, think of a performer that you admire and visualise how they perform - how do they move on stage? How do they sing? Visualise yourself moving and singing in the way that they do - even practice this before hand - it will make you feel better and give you the confidence to perform in the way that you want to.

Some clients have told me that they feel more confident when they are singing with other people. If you are the same, you may wish to visualise somebody performing with you (not in the imaginary friend context!), this could even be the performer you most admire. Although this may seem a bit strange, if it works for you - great - and who's to know what you are doing to succeed and calm those nerves!

Tip 4 - Breathe! You can't perform without breathing! So, if you are a singer, then put yourself through your paces before your performance - start by doing some deep breathing exercises and then warm your voice up with some scales. If you are a playing an instrument and feeling nervous, the breathing exercises will also help you to calm those nerves.

Whatever kind of performance you do, you can use your body to relax those nerves by moving your body about. Shake out those nerves from your hands and feet - do a little jog, or jump up and down on the spot - I seem to recall seeing Freddie Mercury (on TV!) doing just that before he ran onto the stage and wow, was he a performer!

Tip 5 - Positive Affirmations. You can undertake positive affirmations for long-term and short-term use, however the longer you use them, the more lasting the impact. So what are they? They are sentences that you can say, which, when used consistently, can form a positive belief about yourself. For example: "I am a great singer". You will notice that this sentence is stated in the present tense and this is how all positive affirmations should be expressed. If you were to say this phrase as "I am going to be a great singer", then you will always be in a state of "going to be……" instead of "I am……".

Positive affirmations should be repeated several times a day for several weeks or months for the impact to be maximised. But even if you start a few days or even hours before a performance, they will start to work for you. So, what positive phrase can you say of yourself that will help you and calm those nerves?

Tip 6 - Permission to have fun! This is vitally important and something that a lot of performers forget to have when they are in the grip of stage fright! So my final tip to you is for you to give yourself permission to enjoy your performance. Just before you go on stage and you have breathed well, have warmed up your vocal chords or your instrument, you have jumped about or limbered up for your performance, just tell yourself that you are 'up for a good time' out there on that stage and the gift you are going to give the audience is you having a great time, being in the moment with the most important and passionate thing to you - your music!

I really hope that these tips have gone some way to help you calm your nerves, and to get to grips with those stage fright blues. If you know however, that you need more individual support in conquering them, you know where to find me - contact details are below and you are able to email me in advance to arrange a complimentary session to see how I can help you with your specific situation. I look forward to hearing from you.

So, how are you dealing with those stage fright blues?

With very best wishes,

Bravura Group
helping you brave the music industry

http://www.bravura-group.com

t: 01246 231 249 / 0845 456 460
e: lindsey@bravura-group.com

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I work with signed and unsigned artists and personnel working in the Music Industry who want to become more productive, creative and ultimately more successful in their music careers, whilst enjoying a more enriched, fulfilling and balanced personal life.

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