How do I get over stage fright?

How to get over stage fright?

• Ok so in about 3 or 4 weeks my cousin is having a wedding, and they want me to sing bound to you by christina agularia. Im in middle school my first year ( dont know just thought you might need to know) But i didnt have stage fright when i was a kid. I have stage fright because one time i sang in front of my class and they started laughing and making fun of me, they tell me im amazing even the prep kids ( im not popular at all) and my family does to and i love my voice i would never want to change it but since that day i have been petrefied to sing in front of and audiance. When i get on the stage i get sooo nervouse i either start laughing histarically, cry really hard, try to sing and nothing comes out, or just stand there motionless. Please i need help fast i don't want to ruin her wedding cause of my little fear i have already made the commitment to do it so there is no backing out. I don'twant to embarris her i don't care about embbarising me i do that all the time ;P but it's her wedding and i want it to be a day to remember! Thank you for reading this god bless you all!!!!

• Answer:

  First off - this is not a bunch of kids, these are adults. They are there to have a good time and celebrate and they will love you for getting up there and doing it ... even if you should hit a bum note, they will still respect you for it and totally enjoy it. Please remember that the few people who come with negative inputs - be that in a performance or somewhere else - are most likely envious, plain and simple. Then you should realize that even the best performers may get nervous. Even world class performers (Barbara Streisand is one of them) can have such a stage fright that they throw up. But you know what - they still go out and do it. The weird part is that as soon as you begin, and the lights are on, you will be OK. It's like being in a zone. As long as you focus on your performance rather than the audience, you will be fine. Just remember to breath ... you *will* be fine :-) Stage fright is really not something to "get over", it is something you deal with by doing what you do - performing. Remember that the audience is not there to judge you. They will support your efforts, the fact that you give it all you've got. The best thing you can do to control the fright is more than anything to be prepared - know your act in and out. Then as you stand up to sing, just focus somewhere in the room, stand up straight, breath and just sing... It isn't always advisable to focus at someone in the audience. Rather, lift your eyes above and look beyond - sing to them all! If you're nervous, you may want to hold loosely on to something, like a microphone, a microphone stand, instrument or a chair. Holding on to something makes it easier to "root" yourself. Just don't lean into it, or hold on too hard - easy does it ... always. When you are finished, your friend will be so grateful and you will have grown in leaps and bounds! There is simply no better feeling in the world. If you want more tips on stage fright, you may take a look here (it's a guitar site, but the performance tips are universal) http://www.learnelectricguitarnow.net/advanced-guitar-lessons/overcoming-stage-fright/ - there are a number of videos too...