| Does the very thought of performing in public send | | | | you are scared. And you know you won't sound good |
| chills down your spine? Do you fear 'blanking-out' in | | | | if your throat is not responding to your wishes. |
| mid-show? | | | | Warming up is always a good idea - but especially so |
| As any performer knows, stage fright can be crippling. | | | | when you are having stage fright. HaHas (a breathing |
| The Beatles used to vomit before their big stadium | | | | exercise that I teach my students) done to a scale are |
| shows. Barbara Streisand didn't perform before a live | | | | especially good. Plus the repetition will take your mind |
| audience for many years. And yes, I have suffered | | | | off your fears. Drinking warm, caffeine free herbal tea |
| from stage fright too. I don't much anymore, but on | | | | sweetened with honey will help relax your throat. |
| occasion it still happens. | | | | 1.) Get some "easy" exercise. This will |
| Let's take a look at the symptoms of stage fright: our | | | | release endorphins. Endorphins get your blood pumping |
| heart beat increases, our blood pressure goes up, our | | | | and tell you everything is alright. It helps us cope with |
| breathing quickens, our mind races, we might feel like | | | | that "flight or fight" syndrome we feel when |
| we need to visit the restroom (or worse), our tummy | | | | frightened. Although, don't wear yourself out. You need |
| gets upset (or worse), we forget our lyrics, music, | | | | energy to do your show. |
| patter, etc. In other words, everything is working | | | | 2.) Distraction: watch a favorite TV show, listen to |
| against us as we try to put on a great show. | | | | some music you enjoy, play a computer game, talk |
| Soooooo, what can we do about it???? | | | | with a close friend, etc. As long as it is enjoyable, safe |
| First and foremost is to be prepared. Know you | | | | and relaxing. |
| material inside out!!!! If you have bad stage fright before, | | | | 3.) Deep breathing: Take a deep breath through your |
| try performing in front of a mirror when you rehearse, | | | | nose and use your diaphragm! Hold it for the count of |
| (this is a great exercise even if you do not suffer from | | | | three. Release it through your mouth. Count to three. |
| occasional stage fright, because it allows you to see | | | | Repeat. This exercise will slow your heart beat, lower |
| what the audience is seeing when they watch you). If | | | | your blood pressure, and your breathing back to |
| possible, record your entire performance, as this will | | | | normal. |
| allow you to see any errors and fix them.Then you will | | | | 4.) Eat half a banana. If you are hungry you can eat |
| be comfortable that you really know your material and | | | | the whole thing. Bananas release serotonin in the brain. |
| present it in the manner that you WANT it to be | | | | Serotonin tells the body everything is okay - it makes |
| shown. Don't wait until the last day to do this! It takes | | | | us feel good. Now don't pig out thinking more is better. |
| time so allow time. Trying this at the last minute could | | | | That full tummy will NOT help you - it could make it |
| leave you feeling uncertain or even make things | | | | worse! |
| worse. | | | | 5.) Sometimes looking at the audience during your |
| Before your performance be sure to get a GOOD | | | | performance can be disorienting or even frightening. |
| night's sleep. When we are tired, we tend to lose notes | | | | Different things work for different people. Some |
| in our upper range (the high notes we sing) and | | | | people like to imagine that the audience is sitting there |
| transitions from chest (middle) voice to head (upper) | | | | in their underclothes. Other performers like to focus on |
| voice aren't as smooth. | | | | a friend and ignore the rest of the audience. When I |
| Okay, the day of your performance is here, relax. | | | | am nervous, I like to look just over the top of their |
| There are things you can do to help yourself. First, do | | | | heads. That way they think I am looking at them, but I |
| NOT eat a big meal before the show. Eat lightly, | | | | haven't made eye contact which can be nerve racking |
| preferably a comfort food. It might be a cup of chicken | | | | when you are already suffering from stage fright. |
| soup, a bowl of oatmeal, meatloaf, a pot pie, etc. What | | | | NO smoking, NO caffeine, NO chocolate, NO dairy |
| did your mama cook for you that made you feel | | | | products, NO alcohol two or more hours before and |
| good? | | | | during your performance. I know some of you are |
| Stay away from anything acidic like tomatoes or citrus | | | | saying, I can't do without . . . If that's the case, then try |
| because it increases problems with your | | | | to cut down. All of these will affect your voice and if |
| "nervous stomach" For the same reason, | | | | you are nervous, you don't need to add to your |
| stay away from caffeine (coffee, colas, etc.), | | | | problems by further compromising your ability to sing |
| excessive sugary items and alcohol. | | | | or speak. |
| If you will be singing or speaking, be sure to warm up. | | | | Good luck!!!! |
| Your throat will be tight normally, and more so because | | | | |