Tips on getting over stage fright?

Help for extreme stage fright?

• I've been asked to sing in a band for church next week, but I have major stage fright. I love singing, it's my passion, but my nervousness gets in the way. I've always been quiet and I can't get in front of crowds for some reason. My face starts burning, my heart begins to jump out my chest, my skin looks like a tomato, and I start to sweat like a pig. I HATE IT. My mind gets so distracted also, and I can't focus on what I'm saying. I do have a stuttering problem, and I tend to not get out what I'm trying to say. I guess I'm just a nervous wreck. I'm getting tense just thinking about it. What are some tips and things that will help me? It's mostly my body acting up, not my head, because I never know why all these things happen. I'm completely okay and peaceful in my brain and shaking all over from my body. I don't know how to explain it, but anything would help me!(:

• Answer:

  Since you have a few days until you have to perform, you have some time to prepare. Start by preparing, know your song perfectly so that you won't even have to think, you can just do it no problem. Now, you'll want to start to practice in front of people. Start small; sing the song in front of your mom, dad and a sibling. This is good because they're the people that you see every day and you should feel more at ease around them. Next you should sing in front of about 5-7 close friends. Make sure they'll take in seriously and know that this is to help you prepare for a big show. Slowly start to work your way up to bigger crowds, try more distant family (uncles, aunts or cousins) or even neighbours or a trusted teacher. To help commit the song to memory, I reccomend singing it when you're doing everyday things (like walking home from school, making a snack or even mute the tv during commercials and start to sing it!) When you get up on stage, pick a spot in the middle of the back wall (exit sign, window or a painting) and two spots on either side. These are your focus points. Through out the show, keep your eyes on these (start looking at the middle, then drift to the right then to the left etc) If you feel comfortable then you can look at some audience members--if you look at them and start to freeze up, look right back to your focus points. This is how I learned to fix my problem and I hope it helps you!