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Hello! I'm relatively new to this whole music thing, I've only been performing in places since October. Can any of you share some tips for getting over stage fright with me? I've had a real problem with it. Also any tips on vocal exercises would be very much appreciated.

Oh, and one more thing, does anybody know some good places around Toronto and surrounding areas that are good to perform at? Any help would be appreciated!

Congratulations on your drive to get past stage fright...

A quick search online should find you some tips and ideas to get rid of stage fright... I have seen a few in the past.

Apparently, after a certain number of times (I can't remember the number), it becomes just about natural and you just worry less.

Remember to have some fun - learning relaxation techniques can be useful not just for stage fright but to help you relax generally (I always liked that book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff).

I know the tips above are sort of general but I hope it helps point you in the right direction.

As to vocal exercises - the best exercise is to practice... It's sort of tacky but - your voice is your instrument. Getting to learn its possibilities and limitations will definitely help. Again, a quick search online can find you some ideas - I've seen a few resources specifically for this in the past, too.

Best of luck!

Jennifer:
I hear that some performers never do get over their stage fright. Sometimes it may become debilitating. And still, we get up on that stage.

You may learn to be comfortable on the stage; used to being there with a group of strangers in front of you making demands for their entertainment. Remember that they do not know that you weren�t born on that stage.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Enjoy the flood of adrenaline, the dry-mouth, the paralyzation of some of the facial muscles, the quivering of the extremities, the shallow breathing and the reduction in body temperature. It�s fun, and it won�t last forever.

Darby

Good breathing technique is not only a vocal practice, but it also helps out with relaxing yourself just before you go on stage. I still go through my own little breathing routine before going on stage. One of the excercises I do just before going on stage is I take a big breath in, and then I try to release 7 equal exhales of breath. On the last breath you should be releasing the last bit of air from your lungs. If you run out of air by the 5th or 6th blow, then try again. Relax and slow down your pace. I always feel more relaxed when I take a couple of minutes to breath deeply just before going on. It's my own little ritual. Everyone has to figure out their own little thing.

Thanks a lot, everyone. I found some vocal tips on the Net, just like you said :-)

Now... to find somewhere to perform... ;-)

I've been playing in front of people since I was at least 15, I'm ADD and I now take a beta blocker to shut my adrenalin down but all my life I've suffered from severe stage fright. Took 4 years of theater to try to deal with it and it didn't help but I couldn't stay off the stage. It usually took at least 2 songs before I'd quit sweating, hands shaking and and trying to make my hands play the guitar while not forgetting the words while I sang. I now take Inderal to shut the adrenalin down and other than that, just get up there and keep playing is the best remedy. If you touch one person in the audience then you have done what you're up there for. With out an audience, being a musician wouldn't be near as much fun. If you're worried about if they'll notice the mistakes, don't dwell on it. You notice them a lot more than they do. Take a deep breath and picture the stage as your livingroom and they've all come to visit you, not you being there to visit them.
Good Luck.


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Cindy

Vocal: Every singer needs a good coach. There is no replacing the one to one of a good teacher in the room with you. A good coach will take care of the breathing part by teaching you the proper technique. Although you probably never will get over stage fright (I never have), at least knowing you have control of your instrument will give you more self-confidence when you step on stage. I don't think the internet is a great place for a singer to get instruction. The internet can't hear you when you do something incorrectly.
Valleri Sauro
Toronto Co-Ordinator