Secrets To Overcome Stage Fright

How to you get to the point where you can relax when playing on stage?

You will be nervous the first few times, no doubt about it. Learning to relax is a skill that you develop over time by playing in public when you can. My very first solo performance came when a friend who thought he was being funny signed me up for my high school talent show. I did a Jonathan Winters stand-up comedy routine, and was as nervous as I could get. After a few performances, when I realized they weren't going to boo me off the stage, I got to where I could relax and enjoy myself. There's doubt when you're up there by yourself, so confidence in your ability is the key.

Performance experience, practice, and passion are the keys.

The hardest part for me, even now, is when I play a song in public for the first time. I practice it until I'm confident that I can play it flawlessly, but there's still that tiny bit of self doubt in the make of my mind somewhere. After I've performed it in public a few times it becomes part of my song list and I don't really think about it.

Warming up helps too.

Some songs give me trouble even after I've performed them live, so then what I'll do is practice them a few times before I go on stage. I try to play the song faster than usual, so it seems easier to play it when the time comes. Difficult passages get played a few extra times, making me feel more confident about my ability to play them correctly. I start out playing chords, doing some stretching exercises for the left hand, and rolls or finger picking patterns with the right hand.

Sometimes you're just going to have a bad night.

The other thing I've learned is that sometimes the harder you try, the worse you get. Once you can accept that, it will help you relax and things will get better. I'd like to tell you that it never happens, but it does. Sometimes there's a reason, maybe your day didn't go well, or you got bad news about something, but other times you're just having an off night.

Don't get discouraged.

This last piece of advice is simple, you just have to keep trying. The more you perform, the easier it will become, and that's a fact. In my case, I'd say that I've replaced being nervous with being excited about playing. There's still adrenaline flowing, but now it's positive energy.

Everyone goes through it.

Whether you're a beginning guitarist, or a more advanced player, your experience will be the same. So go to some low pressure open mics, jam sessions, and musical gatherings. You'll always find someone who's in the same situation and you can help each other get over being nervous. I start my guitar and banjo students out with a controlled, slow jam, with no pressure. You don't have to play a solo unless you want to, you don't have to sing, you just get used to playing with others.

Give it your best shot, practice a lot, and get out there and mingle. Before you know it you'll be over your beginner's fears, you'll be relaxing, and best of all, you'll be enjoying music!