this isn't your normal personal question...

[jgirv17]

but i was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about getting over stage fright.

its not like im a shy person...in fact, im the opposite. but when someone wants me to sing something to them in person, i just cant....its weird, i feel like if i sing it well theyll think im a loser for trying and if i sing it bad, well then i just look bad.

thats why any bands i have normally end up stopping pretty fast. i can sing, and we have recorded things before (think of a sublime/jack black/reel big fish/taking back sunday voice depending on the song...and then sometimes a Tomas Kalnoky sound for fun) and it normally sounds good.... but,i just have problems actually singing in front of people.

obviously, i could pull an adam from tbs and get drunk before i go in front of people, but that doesnt seem like a good option for me, so any suggestions would help.

[Pawn Scum]

dude, i kinda have the same problem. at first i couldnt look anyone in the eye while i was singing, but now thats only infront of certain people. i wish a had more advice to give you, but all i can say is just close your eyes and start singing and you'll eventually open them and notice that its not so hard and people may actually be into it. just keep trying.

[**michelleV**]

picture everyone in their underwear!

[zach]

If it helps, turn your back to the audience when you sing. If you don't want to do that, just close your eyes. What I usualy do is stare passed everybody at the back wall, so it looks like I'm looking at the audience, but in actuality I'm not. However, thats a bit easyer said then done

[nards228]

It's a matter of practice. I don't sing, but I am a practiced public speaker, and I can tell you that you're never going to get over having butterflies in your stomach before you perform, whether it's song or something else.

The only way to get over it is to grit your teeth and try it.

It may help you to do some role reversal: picture yourself as the person you're supposed to sing in front of. If you want to hear somebody sing something to you, you aren't going to be judgemental or extremely critical. Really, you're going to be open and accepting no matter what that person sounds like. You probably have a pretty decent voice anyway, so you're going to be fine.

And you know what? If the worst thing possible happens and you totally choke and make an ass out of yourself, you're still going to be alive tomorrow. So don't worry about that kind of crap and just do it. The only way to get over any fear (including stage fright) is to confront it.

Best of luck.



Rennard

[jgirv17]

haha awesome...

ill see how it goes...now i just need to get a band together in my new (college) home.

i know what you mean about public speaking, i have to do that a fair amount (i wouldnt call myself practiced though).


worse comes to worse...well be a nice studi band who just makes music to make it, not to make money...and since im not looking at music for a career, thats no big deal

thanks to everyone who responded.

[punklet2101]

the singer of my band is like that. he even gets shy/self concious at band practice.

he puts on a baseball cap, which seems to help a little

[mnowhere]

i'm gonna be totally corny and say to watch that thing on mtv, the made episode where the girl wants to perform on stage...

i used to be shy as hell in front of people but when i have to get up in front of people i figure, they can't say too much since they aren't up here. in your case it's singing. practice! when you know what you're going to do then it makes things a hell of a lot easier. my friend is in a band and he gets so incredibly nervous before they perform so he goes out and talks to people in the crowd beforehand. make friends, they'll support you and even if they think you suck then they've gotten the opportunity to talk with you and they probably have a deep respect that you care enough to talk with them in the first place...