How to Handle Nerves when performing
You’ve practiced every night, you know all the notes, the words, your diction is perfect. Yet, as soon as you sing in front of someone else, you tense up and forget everything you practiced.
This happens to everyone! And it doesn’t have to be a large audience. Even moving from singing alone to singing for one other person can cause nerves that lock things up and bring the butterflies to your stomach. But what you do you?
Trust Yourself
Although you’re not focusing on your technique - breathing, diction, dynamics, etc - your practice will carry through your performance more than you think. That’s why practice is so important! When you teach your body and mind to do something intentionally enough times, it becomes second nature, so you don’t have to think about it.
This is actually a great goal! The best performers don’t have to focus on their technique, so they’re able to focus on giving a great performance! This can include dancing, facial expressions, and expressions within the song. When you’re able to stop thinking about the music, you’re able to connect to it, which makes your performance even better.
Focus on your body
Saying “just relax” has never helped anybody relax. How can you do that when you’re freaking out? Rather than trying to relax, focus on these things to release tension and bring space back into your body.
Imagine your muscles relaxing. Release your shoulders, your stomach, your jaw.
Breathe in deep, relaxing breaths. As you move through your song, and before you begin, remember your breathing technique, and relax your stomach so you have more space to breathe into.
Bring in movement. You can sway a little. Move your arms. Take a few steps.
Imagine yourself truly performing. Step into your character and give yourself permission to have fun with it!
These are a few things you can try to recenter yourself and bring back the calm while performing.
Remember Why You’re Singing
Even if you have goals of being a professional performer, you want to do that because it’s something you enjoy doing. Rather than focusing on how perfect your perform, focus on how you’re feeling. Are you having fun? Are you just criticizing yourself? These are actually habits that you can curb or develop. Which one are you feeding when you perform?
If a singer enjoys what they do - you can tell. And it makes the performance so much better. If they’re worried, you can also tell. And it makes the performance less magnetic. Enjoy what you’re doing and others will enjoy watching you do it. How can you make performing more enjoyable for yourself?
The next time you’re performing, check in with yourself. Are you breathing? Are your muscles tensed? Are you worried or excited? What can you do to help yourself? Performance anxiety affects every singer, but there are ways you can reduce it and create habits that make performing more enjoyable. Addressing confidence and performance anxiety is a big part of voice lessons with Forte Faye Studio. Reach out with any questions today!
