Things to do when you're nervous at a performance?

[Guest yukiroche]

Well, I've got this concert I have to perform in a church but I'm NERVOUS as all hell. So what should I do in order to not be nervous at my concert?

[Manic Webb]

Looking members of the audience in the eyes will do one of two things: allow you to conquer your fears, or scare the living crap out of you. Personally, I never look anyone in the eye. To simulate it, though, I like to look directly over everyone's heads. The walls in the back never judge me.

[Guest yukiroche]

Thanks, it's just that everytime I go up there my heart starts beating like a mad man. And I've been wondering if I could possibly get rid of that. Thanks for the help! I'll try that tomarrow and see if it works. ^_^

[Drix D'Zanth]

some nerves are good, the adrenaline will improve your vocal situation. The only real way to get "used" to nerves (I put used in quotes because no one ever really does accustom themselves to stagefright) is by performing more often in front of larger crowds. Have confidence in yourself and your song. If you mess up, don't choke. Keep singing and blow them away, they'll forget any mistake you made. In fact, when someone makes a mistake they notice it far more than anyone in the audience.

Don't sweat it.

[elfpirate]

[b]Well, not knowing the specifics of your performance (ie: whether or not you'll be on a stage or whether you're performing alone or not), I'm not sure that what I have to offer as far as advice will be applicable... but I'll try:animeswea .[/b]

[b]I assume that you're familiar with the room that you'll be performing in, since it's in your church, and that you're familiar with some (if not all) of the churchmembers that will be there. If that's not the case, becoming familiar with them may help ease some of the anxiety.[/b]

[b]I imagine that there will be lighting directed at you while you're performing, so when they dim the house lights, the crowd will sort of...disappear...into the shadows...that can be a lot of help in relieving anxiety.[/b]

[b]Thinking of the performance as just another practice can help, as well... I mean, don't build it up in your head too much as "This has gotta be perfect--this is "The Performance"... that will just cause more anxiety.[/b]

[b][i]Relax[/i]. A little bit of anxiety can be a good thing, but only if it turns into energy that you can use--putting it into the performance-- not if it's making you faint.[/b]

[Samsara]

One method that I have used and found that it worked was finding a spot on the back wall and just focus on it. Don't really focus on the audience that much, just find that spot. It sounds really dumb, I know, but it did work with me.