“Stage fright” is one of the biggest career killers in the music industry. As someone currently working through it, I know that overcoming this anxiety is necessary.
Thankfully, there are practical steps you can take in order to build your confidence on stage. Inspired by David Milsont’s post on Music Think Tank, here are 3 proven tips for coping with performance anxiety.
1. PREPARATION
Sometimes the anxiety comes because you don’t feel prepared enough. Whether it’s one song or a 45-minute set, take the time to learn your set list backwards and forwards. Know which notes go best with each part. Plan out where you’ll take your breaths. Note areas you need to work on and work through them.
Practice makes perfect and repetition builds muscle memory, which will increase your confidence.
2. PLANNING
Where preparation involves you and your performance, planning involves the logistics of the show. What time is sound check? Is your instrument tuned and ready to go? Do you have your warm-up practices ready? Have you properly prepared?
The one constant of live performance is that you may not have control over the show schedule or the venue’s equipment (or lack thereof). However, you do have control over your performance and how well you are prepared.
3. PRACTICE
Practice emcompasses both preparation and planning. Perfecting your performance skills is essential to building your confidence. This requires you to actually push through the anxiety and consistently perform.
Analyze each performance (as unbiased as you can), figure out your strengths and refine them, and work on strengthening your weaknesses. Figure out if you work best under pressure (i.e. cramming at the last minute) or through meticulous preparation. If you need a vocal coach, get one. If you need to take instrument classes, take them.
If you seriously desire a career in live performance but struggle with performance anxiety, take the 3 tips above and get to work.
It won’t be an easy road, but it is necessary for a lasting career.
