Any tricks to ease nerves??

Question

I'm the kind of person that can speake in front of a large crowd with absolutely no problem. But when it comes to singing i collapse! I have a good voice i guess but if i have to sing in my head voice in front of anyone even my parents and sometimes myself =/ i become a wreck! It's sooo weird cause when i sing in my chest voice im totally fine. but i have this audition coming up to be Jasmine in the musical Aladdin and i really want it but i know for the audition peice (a whole new world) i'm going to do horrible! When i practice at home by myself it's fine but in front of people my mouth shakes, my hands shake, my head spins, and i feel like everyone is laughing at me. The worst thing is that it affects my voice very badly too. Does anyone know of any tips or medications or anything that will ease nerves alot! or at least just make it not effect my voice. I would appreciate it sooooo mcuh! thnx =D

Answer 1

O.K. I have the same problem.  DON'T ever drink or eat too much. BUT drink a moderate amount of water and take deep breaths from your diaphragm, be in a quiet corner by yourself and calmly mentally review your performance material thru your head. Than before you go on take one more deep breath and smile.

Answer 2

well the easy way out would be to take a benzo such as xanax or ativan. Make sure you are breathing right an exersice regulary.

Answer 3

i'm hoping you're singing the song because you like it...you should know the words well enough so that you can trust your technical ability. just let the words flow while you focus on the emotions and the actual meanings of the words and phrases. Also, be aware of subtle changes in dynamics and tonal qualities...when you focus on small dynamics like that, you can steer your focus away from the people who are watching you. Imagine yourself as Jasmine, this will help you immerse yourself in the song and not in your surroundings.

I would recommend you read the book The Inner Game of Music, it gives you some great tips and exercises so that you can perform your best. Basically it is your own mind that obstructs you from a good performance, not the obstacles of the piece you're singing. If you can overcome the barriers of your own mind, then you can increase your performance to 100%! Good luck!

Answer 4

Do you practice in front of a mirror?  

Practice, practice, practice. If you can, go out and sing karaoke.  

Most of the time the audience doesn't really expect the singer to sound like a multi-platinum artist, but if you practice at home on a karaoke machine, then go out and belt out those songs that you need to perform, you will become more and more comfortable and you will be amazed at how much of applause you get once you get going. Check out amazon.com for karaoke CDG's and buy them used, they're less expensive.

Main tip: do not look at the audience. Try to focus on something beyond the crowd.

You can do it.

Give it a try.

Answer 5

take a five minute nap!

Answer 6

First, of course, make sure you are completely prepared. Have a good attitude--believe in yourself and your ability to give a good performance. Drink water. Get in the right frame of mind. Get into the feel of the music. Forget that people are there and listening to you, and just sing your beautiful heart out.

Answer 7

Hoo boy.  Stay the heck out of the "medications or anything that will ease nerves alot! or at least just make it not effect my voice. I would appreciate it sooooo mcuh! thnx =D" area!

The best "cure" starts here - your nerves are your friend.  Accept that the feelings are going to exist.  Talk to yourself just the way you would talk to someone you were trying to coax out of a nerves attack.  Remind yourself that you have rehearsed, you have skills, you can sing with your head voice.  Part of your problem is that you are missing the point:  you are not alone up there - audiences <want> to like performers.  I'm old and fat and foolish looking, but my audiences and I are in a relationship, each of us contributing to the performance - I push, they pull.  And beauty is made between (among?) us.

In the more physio sense, the head voice is somewnat more vulnerable to tension than the chest voice.  Relaxation is key - so yawn before going on stage, and hold onto that "post-yawn" feeling.  Practice yawning before you sing.  

And remember the way to Carnegie Hall:

Practice.

Practice.

Practice.