Anyone that has performed on stage or made a speech in front of the class, know the symptoms. Your stomach may get queasy or nauseous. Then anxiety sets in. The room may start to spin. You feel anxious like people are looking right through you. You want to run but there is no where to go. Then it stops if you’re lucky. You get through the set or speech or play. You just had Stage fright.
Public Speaking Nerves Or Musicians Performance Anxiety
It’s normal for anyone to experience some stage fright. But when the anxiety and stress is overpowering and crippling your going to need a better approach. Some phobia help or advice is available. Stage fright is one phobia that's very common and normal to get. In fact most people have had it at least once in their life. Even The Band sang about stagefright. Stage fright is just an adrenaline rush to the blood stream. This known as fright or flight chemical. It triggers physical reactions in people that include sweaty hands shaking and stuttering. As a musician, I have seen people actually freeze or pass out on stage.
Some people can get through it by self medication. Drinking a couple shots could be the stage fright drug while others might need a tranquilizer or a beta blocker that control high blood pressure. Others use hypnotherapy or physical exercise like pushups or jumping jacks. Most performers, actors and sports stars have some degree of stage fright. The question is how to control it so it doesn’t control you. Or maybe, making it work for you.
Many famous people who you would never expect have suffered from forms of stage fright. After receiving an award in 2006 for selling 100 million albums Michael Jackson who had not been on stage in nearly 9 years suffered stage fright and if it was not for Beyonce talking him through it, he might not have come on stage at all.
Other stars like Rod Stewart, Barbara Streisand and even Elvis Presley has had some performance anxiety. Then there are historic people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein who suffered from forms of stage fright that are called social shyness.
Whether it Called Social Nervousness-Stage Fright -Shyness and Social Anxiety
Everybody remembers a teacher or someone telling them if you’re in a situation on stage or in front of a class, try to envision the audience naked. This exercise mentally gives you control. You can take the bull by the horns. Because, Its not something to be a shamed of. It is a normal event for musicians, job applicants, politicians and the best man at the wedding who has to make a speech to the bride and groom. For most people, It comes and goes and there are some ways to control it.
Be in the same room where your going to play or speak an hour or so before the program or music is supposed to start. This works well with a lot of musicians. If you're familiar with the stage and the room, it makes you feel a little more comfortable, than jumping on stage at the last minute. Invite people you know and seat them at the stage where you can focus on them.
Meditate or read a book before your scheduled performance. Try some isometrics to release some tension. Practice self confidence. Use some self hynotherepy. Tell yourself you need to do this, you are good enough and that you deserve this. Above all, you won’t be happy unless you do this. If you’re on stage look at the furthest person in the room and focus on that person. It will keep you from looking at the whole crowd, feeling intimidated.
Making Stage Fright-Shyness and Social Anxiety Work For You
As in this Feb 10 2009 Public Speaking Tips article How to Stay Cool in Public Speaking, by Joan Curtis, Founder of the Total Communication Coaching, says that most people do not realize that fear is a good thing. If you’re too relaxed you will not perform as well. According to her you shouldn’t try and rid your fear but just try and control it, to manage your fear you should identify your fear. You could be afraid of falling of the stage or what people will think of you. Make a list of what the fears are, then, you will be able to isolate the fear and try deal with it.
Take Baby Steps. If your making a speech or playing music start at a smaller venue. Start at some open mic nights. Practice until you can recite the speech or sing the song in your sleep. Make the unknown known. Greet the audience when they come in. Make eye contact and say hello. Engage your Audience. Make them a part of what you’re expressing and asks them to sing along. Make fear a friend. Develop the attitude that it takes some guts to get up here and do what you are doing. Because it does. When the crowd applauds its all worth it. like The Band says in the song Stagefright," when you get to the end you want to start all over again."
Jim Galloway - Professional Musician/Published Songwriter for 30 yrs. With over 200 Articles in Recording/Music Buisness/ Resources/Vintage Instruments
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