What is one of the most important qualities that a musician should have? Well, there are tons of them, but one point which stands out is the confidence to perform in front of an audience.
As Isabel Allende very rightly pointed out – “Fear is inevitable, I have to accept that, but I cannot allow it to paralyze me!”
An aspiring musician has to appear for auditions, perform in concerts and jam with groups of people. Stage fear is something that musicians cannot afford to have. If you are an introvert, you would understand the anxiety that comes from performing in front of an audience.
How to overcome Stage Fright:-
Do not lose hope, though! We have listed some useful tips to enable you to keep your fears aside and rock at your next audition/jam session.
Let us go through these tips on how to reduce stage fear:
1] Practice, Practice & Practice:
The confidence that you get from being in control of your outcome is incomparable to anything else. It gives you a high, a groove that none can match. You will be able to gain that confidence only if you practice your music enough. If you are looking for a tip on how to overcome stage fright, begin by practising alone. Master your stuff and then involve your close family and friends. Expand to a wider circle gradually.
2] Talk to Yourself:
Do not rely on others for pep talk or motivation. Talk yourself down first. Even though stage fear is all in mind, it manifests in physical ways. Stop focusing on the negative aspects of stage fright. Instead of focusing on “What if I forget my stuff”, change that into positive talks, such as, “What if I am great at this”. Positive affirmation is a key factor in how to reduce stage fear.
3] Visualize the Outcome:
Focus very hard on the result that you want to achieve out of a public performance. It may be your first official break, loud applause or admission at your dream music school. The more you visualize the desired outcome, the more pumped up you will be to give a stellar performance. Nothing can be a more significant factor in the process of how to reduce stage fear than self-motivation.
4] Take your Time:
In today’s fast-paced day and age, we often make a mistake by rushing into things. Slow down, take a deep breath and start taking things one step at a time. Introverts are usually good at thinking through things. Take advantage of your skill and think through your entire public performance. Go up to perform only when you have full confidence. Never, ever rush – another important mantra on how to reduce stage fear.
5] Record Yourself:
Get into the practice of video recording all your practice sessions as well as performances. Go through each of those recordings. Analyze what went excellently and what could have been done better. It will equip you on how to present yourself in front of an audience. This one is one of the most popular tips on how to reduce stage fear.
Follow these top tips on how to overcome stage fright and stay on top of your game. The key is to practice, prepare and gain unshakeable confidence!