5 Ways to Beat Performance Nerves

When you’re singing in front of an audience, it’s perfectly natural to get nervous!

Even some of the world’s best-known singers and musicians get pre-show jitters, so it’s totally understandable that you should feel anxious before going on to perform.

To help you enjoy your big moment, here are a few tried and tested techniques to help you beat performance nerves and wow your audience.

Record your performances

One of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming performance is to record yourself performing so that you can work on any areas you’re not entirely happy with before the big show rolls around. If possible, try performing for friends and family members to get a little practice in playing or singing in front of an audience.

Warm-ups are key

The better prepared you are for your performance, the more confidence you’ll have when it comes to stepping out on stage, so don’t forget to cram in some last minute vocal warm-ups or practice the song you’ll be playing backstage.

However, its vital that you don’t overdo it the day before or you could be straining your hands or not giving your vocal chords the rest they need, so make sure you take some time off too!

Focus on one area of the room

Another top tip to help overcome performance nerves is to concentrate on one person or spot in the room. This is to stop you feeling overwhelmed if there’s a big crowd waiting to see you perform – seeing a large group can make you feel far more nervous so if you are jittery, try not to start looking around the room. Discovering that it’s filled to the rafters is flattering but could set your nerves jangling.

Breathing exercises

A good way to stay calm before you head out to perform is to learn how to control your breathing. Breathing exercises can help slow your heart rate down and restore a sense of calm, so take a deep breath, hold for three seconds and exhale slowly. Do this a few times until you feel your heart rate slow and begin to feel a little more in control of your nerves.

Enjoy it!

Finally, just remember that with every performance you do, you improve, so go out there and enjoy the experience as you’ll be able to learn something and get some extra practice in front of an audience.