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Question:I have massive stage fright. I have to sing in front of many people. I usually have to do this. Any ways to overcome stage fright? i usually hear things like lokk at the back of the wall or imagine eveyone in their underwear or something. anytihng other than that?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have massive stage fright. I have to sing in front of many people. I usually have to do this. Any ways to overcome stage fright? i usually hear things like lokk at the back of the wall or imagine eveyone in their underwear or something. anytihng other than that?

Dumb ideas. Look, do you enjoy singing or not? If not, stop. If you do, then enjoy doing it. You will eventually learn it is more fun to sing right to the audience.

The whole picture the crowd in their underwear thing never works. Stare at something and focus on it really hard. That's what I do. If not Focus your mind on something completly off topic when you are performing. The lyrics will flow and you won't in notice anyone around you. Trust me.

There's more than one type of stage fright--so there are several ways to try to manage it. I'll give you short versions of each.

First, there's the stage fright that comes from inadequate prep or from poor self-image--this is purely emotional. Make sure you practice well--practice some in close-to-show conditions, actually up on a stage. Don't engage in negative self-talk; none of that "I know I'm going to screw up" talk in your head, instead ask yourself "did I practice a lot? have people told me I have a good voice? do I know this song inside and out?" Remember how you feel when you're in the audience--you really want the performer to do well, and will forgive little errors if the performer doesn't dwell on them.

Second, there is the stage fright that comes from physical tension; you'll feel it as physical things like shaking, knots in stomach, cramps, sweating, blushing. To relax quickly, stretch (big! BIG!) and yawn (BIG!), shake your hands as rapidly and loosely as possible, shake other body parts, get a big swallow of water. For long-term physical relaxation, try lying comfortably and tensing-releasing all major muscle groups. Start with feet--curl toes down (think "tense") not so hard that it hurts but good and tight, then release (think "relax"). Repeat. Then point toes up, release, repeat. Then do calves, thighs, glutes, abs, lats, pecs, traps, bikes, trikes, don't forget throat and face and tongue.

Third; psychological stage fright--comes across as mental symptoms, loss of memory, confusion, brain fog, blurred vision. To work on this, you need to do creative visualization exercises regularly; you can find recordings that guide you through them. A good thing to visualize is anyplace on earth where you'd feel safe and relaxed, imagine you're there, all alone, and make the mental image as vivid as possible--try to see all details, hear the sounds, smell the air, feel what's under your feet or head. The right frontal lobes, the part of your brain that imagines, will make you more relaxed overall if you exercise them. And if you are able to visualize your safe place, you might try visiting it in imagination just before taking the stage--and even if you have a short break in the music, the audience won't know why you're closing your eyes, they might think you're really into the song.