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Stage fright
Now this might not be considered a life issue. But it is for me! I have really bad stage fright, if I'm in a play, I'm FINE, if I'm in a room with class mates that I've been around for MONTHS, and I'm playing guitar, I freeze up! I'm good at guitar, I know I am, I have confidence in my quality, but I just mess up, I miss notes, I choke on my words. Of course I'd never sing, but when I'm doing a presentation or something, I feel so nervous if I have an instrument. I'm afraid I'll mess up, and then I do. I REALLY want to get out of this habit! Especially seeing as I'm forming a band, but me playing with some buddies in front of strangers I could do easily, but in front of a bunch of students I know, and it's just me, I can't do it. Do you think I should just stick to playing with other people? Or is my problem easily solved? Pleaase help!
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I'm in the exact same situation, except I'll be doing vocals. I'm nervous of practicing when people are home, and I don't like singing around people I've known a while.
I'm not quite sure what to do :[ I'm hoping that it just grows on me, and that I'll get comfortable enough to sing whenever, wherever. Just tell yourself that you're better than them. They envy you. Then maybe they wont be so intimidating? |
Yeah, I guess that's what all musicians do, make themselves feel better, by thinking they ARE better than everyone else. That explains why most of them are so self centered, it's just a decoy for the stage fright of their youth, but now it's become a habit, an instinct. Oh, and good luck to you on that!
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Mine is even worse and I plan on persuing a job in law. Hopefully not in the court...But yeah.
I simply can't public speak or act at all infront of people. I stumble over words and leave out other words and my voice becomes very tiny. >.< I've been with my classmates for most of my life and I still can't read them my essay without being told to speak up. I always want to read fast so I can get away, but it makes me stumble over my words. In plays, I forget my lines. >> And my voice is quiet. Solutions: 1) Practice constantly. (Like very constantly with a bigger and bigger audience everytime.) 2) Don't look at the people's faces. (So you never know if they're looking at you.) 3) Scream out your jitters. (Don't do this if you're in a crowded place.) Thats all that I can think of. They arn't very good, seeing that I can't do them myself. >.< But maybe it will help you? I don't know. x3 |
Okee dokee, thanks for the advice loony. I'll avoid eye contact from now on xD That could very well have been one of my problems. I can play in front of 3 people just fine. So I'll start working up to bigger and bigger amounts.
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Do what you do when you're acting.
DON'T look at your audience. And if you find your eyes wandering out there, just try to look over their heads, never look them in the eye. Look at the floor, the back wall of the room, the ceiling, your band mates, ANYthing but the audience. Throw your entire mental capacity into focusing on what you're doing. Let yourself be engulfed by the song you're playing, and just keep your mind blank. If your mind starts to wander, try to bring it back to your song. But stay relaxed and calm about it. If you try too hard to think about your song, you'll tend to mess up. And like someone else said, work your way up to bigger audiences. And with different people. I.E. If you can play in front of your parents and a sibling okay, try 3 people you don't know as well. Like a few of your band mate's parents, or their friends. Getting used to playing around people you don't know should help alot. EDIT: Oh, also, I heard that peppermint relaxes you. So, if you're not doing any singing, and you're just playing guitar, try popping a peppermint candy before you go on, and suck on that while you're playing. |
I would definitely consider this a life issue. I don't think it's easily solved, but I bet if you just keep trying and trying, the stage fright will ease. Like others have mentioned, try to keep your mind in the frame of acting, like you're playing the role of a guitarist, that you're not you. See how that goes, and then see if it lessens the more you do it.
Don't be like me. I just simply avoid the social confrontation. I could barely do public speaking because I got so flabbergasted. *fail* I worked through it the best I could, though, and I'm much better now. Not great, not even good, but better. |
Hmm, I had stage frieght usually right before I went on. I'd freak out for a moment and then say to myself "Fuck it, you can do it!" In the rob schnieder voice.
Honestly, I wish I could tell you something to help. I've bee performing in many different ways, from stage to karokee to Rocky Horror Picture Show. Making an ass of myself is easy and I enjoy it. I guess what I can say is enjoy, fin a way to make your self enjoy, because that's what get me over it. Aside from doing a Greek play where everyone was confused about what was happening. Seeing the audience enjoying it always made it easier for me. That or do a shot of something. Though you might be in high school and not the best of advice, since well, liquid courage is how most of the Rocky Horror cast does it. |
Well, it's definitely a good thing that you aren't affected by stage fright when you're with a group. That should work out fine for your band.
I'm no expert on overcoming stage fright, but I can think of a few little things to do. Before you're going to perform, take a few minutes to yourself to mentally prepare. Don't be rushing around and making yourself more anxious than you need to be. I tend to do that. Taking a few minutes to go somewhere quiet and just breathe, relax, and stretch a little makes a world of difference for me. Also, just keep practicing. I don't mean just practicing guitar and singing. Practice performing and presenting yourself to a crowd. The more often that you do it, the easier that it becomes. You'll probably always be a little jittery before you perform, but you should use that stress to your advantage rather than getting flustered and messing up things that you know how to do. |
Some of my fright might have to do with the size of the room. If I'm in a small classroom, I might mess up. If I'm on a stage that's sorta high up, I might also mess up. If I'm in like a cafe, or something where people are focusing on their coffee and not just me, I could do just fine. Oh, and I'll try using peppermints, probably not shots... Maybe in about 6 or 7 years. Or even just a few, it'll matter on my mood, and what's available!
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gah i hate having that i love singing but dont think i could ever do it on a stage.
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I find that I am fine if I've praticed enough. When it becomes second nature and you can do it while thinking or reading something entirely different you know ou've got it down. I've memorized some shakesphere monologues to that extent.
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yeah, i have stage fright too
:oops: along with fear of heights...though i sometimes get over that i never knew how to fix it. In like a group of people that i know well enough, i wont really be all that nervous. But in a like one of those stages and audiences...man..i lose my self i start sweating bullets and all that But eventually once i would start the part, i would like melt into it But before that i would just close my eyes because i never knew who to look at in the audience. It just deals on a matter of time i guess, doing it over and over again gets the nervousness(stagefright) out of you. Though theres always going to be little bit left that will always stay with you. Even if you've done something on stage in front of a huge audience three thousand times...you will always have a new audience to be nervous about... Im still cant get over my stage fright unless i drink like an energy drink or eat double choclate cake before i go on stage...its gives me a huge sugar rush that makes me hyper and like completely changes who i am.. but thats about it ^_^ good luck |
I get easily stage frightened, even if it a small audience. I play the viola, and each time i audition for anything, I start to shake uncontrollably and even tear up from being so nervousness. even when i do practice enough, I still forget what sharps or flats are there, or what shifts i'm supposed to make.
but today, in BIO AP, i learned what makes nervousness and the "pee-dance" happen. in the cells of your body, there is a pump called a contransport, and it makes Na+ and K+ got through it. if they are a lack of K+, thats what makes you really nervous, so eat lots of bananas before a performance. |
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I have the same problem as you, I have to sing infront of my music classes parents in January and i have horrible stage fright and hate doing things infront of people
What I've found works is, that if i'm extremely Happy or Hyper, of in a very good mood, I don't care what happens, if i make a fool of myself or what. I've also found Praise and compliments on your talent (or in my case, not talent) helps give you an Ego and a confidence boost. Also, try to get used to performing infront of people (that's why i'm auditioning for the school play this year) if you get used to people watching you, and people, who are not really judging you, sat infront of you when you perform, your stage fright should slowly disappear |
I have this exact same problem. I play piano, and when I'm at home, alone, I can play perfectly well. However, when there are other people listening to me, I get freaked out. So during recitals, no matter how well I know the piece, I'll always mess up horribly.
Also, I have a problem speaking in front of a class, such as for oral presentations. Even if I've practiced by myself a million times, I'll still stutter when I get up in front of everyone. This happens to me regardless of how big or small my audience is - I've had problems giving a presentation to just three of my classmates. I've tried practicing a lot, avoiding eye contact, and all that stuff, but it just doesn't work for me. |
I don't have any help for you really, I am the same way. I was in chorus through junior high and high school, I had no problem singing with the group but, I would never try out for the solo's or for parts in the musicals because I was so afraid and I knew I would freeze up or just get so nervous that I would sound really bad. I work at an elementary school and once in a while we might have to go speak to the kids about rules or something and I even get nervous then. Obviously looking at this thread, there are plenty of us who feel this way, you're not alone.
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I am so the same but I play piano and have done so for years but as soon as I play infront of somebody I mess up big time and feel like I am making a fool out of myself. I just think practise makes perfect and I think you'll be ok with time.
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