Performance Psychology ~ Overcoming Stage Fright
Even the most confident performers can suffer from stage fright. Stage fright is common for everyone from Broadway actors to professional presenters. If you have stage fright, then you may start to feel nervous at the thought of singing live in front of your audience…
Okay…Breathe deep! Everything is actually okay!
Be rest assured that this is a VERY common experience and it’s actually very normal for even the highly skilled singer before appearing in front of their live audiences. In fact we need some of this nervous energy to fuel our performances and give us that zest that drives every live performance.
Here are some Coaches tips to help you through.
- Shift the focus from yourself and your fear to your true purpose – contributing something of value to your audience.
- Stop scaring yourself with thoughts about what might go wrong. Instead, focus your attention on thoughts and images that are calming and reassuring. You are part of a good, strong choir.
- Refuse to think those thoughts that create self-doubt and low confidence. We will explore this together in more detail as we work together
- Practice ways to calm and relax your mind and body, such as some of the qi gong exercises we practice together in group sessions. Deep breathing, and focusing on the breath is not only good singing preparation but is also relaxing
- Try to limit caffeine, sugar, and alcohol as much as possible. These are known ‘peps’ that are often used as energy boosters but are not good when we’re trying to be in control of our nervous system!
- Visualise yours & your groups success! This choir sounds GREAT! Always focus on your group strength and ability to handle live situations.
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- Visualize yours/group success! Always focus on your group strength and ability to handle live situations.
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- Rehearse your parts in advance. Sing out on your own before hand to hear your voice. The more you know your parts. The more confident you will feel.
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- Sing together with your fellow House Cats before any performance. Turn up at least 1.5 hours in advance so that you can prepare together and warm up together. This can be a group activity that any member can lead without your choirmaster being around. Remember, your choirmaster may have other logistics to sort out on the count down of your performance.
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- Create rapport! Make connections with your audience: Smile from stage as you sing. Remain warm and open and do make eye contact. Greet people when they have come to see you perform. Thinking of them as friends (rather than as enemies who want to cut you down) will always help your mind settle!
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- Stand or sit in a self-assured, confident posture. PHYSIOLOGY IS EVERYTHING! It is known psychology that where the body goes, the mind will follow so…act as if!
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- Give up trying to be perfect and know that it is OK to make mistakes. Be natural, House Cat self.
Perhaps you’re worried that you could hit a bum note, your voice could ‘crack’ or you could forget your words? Maybe you fear that you could make a mistake …but actually this is just called
LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
Onwards and upwards House Cats!