What is Stage Fright?
People often ask - "What is stage fright?" according to wikipedia; Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially (for example, when performing before a camera).
A little adrenaline is useful (that's why nature made it) but too much can cause the shakes and butterflies. The more used to performing you are, the more controlled is your release of adrenaline likely to be. Indeed, the alertness that comes from a little adrenaline is one reason why many people like performing in public. Adrenaline is also the reason why many people can down a couple of pints in record time immediately after performing, and not feel drunk for a while (the digestive system is more or less shut down). However, if you practise when you're blood-stream is not full of adrenaline, then later, on stage, when it is, you'll be trying to do the same tricks but in a totally different state. Stage fright is a phenomenon that you must learn to control. Many of the top performers in the world get stage fright so you are in good company. Stage fright may come and go or diminish, but it usually does not vanish permanently. Actually, stage fright isn't the most accurate term for the nervousness that occurs when considering a performance. In fact, most of the fear occurs before you even get to the terrifying moment. Once you're actually in the midst of the performance or particularly scary passage, it usually goes away. The Symptoms of Stage Fright 1. Dry mouth. 2. Tight throat. 3. Sweaty hands. 4. Cold hands. 5. Shaky hands. 6. Nausea. 7. Fast pulse. 8. Shaky knees. 9. Trembling lips. Try to think of stage fright in a positive way. Fear is your friend. It makes your reflexes sharper. It heightens your energy, adds a sparkle to your eye, and color to your cheeks. You must concentrate on getting the feeling out in the open, into perspective and under control. Remember Nobody ever died from stage fright. But, according to surveys, many people would rather die than perform in public. If that applies to you, try out some of the following strategies in this section to help get yourself under control. Realize that you may never overcome stage fright, but you can learn to control it, and use it to your advantage.
Concentrate on how good you are. 1. Practice, practice, practice. 2. Close your eyes and imagine the audience listening, and applauding. 3. Remember happy moments from your past. 4. Go for a walk before you are due to start, preferably outside - look at what's around you. 5. Picture the audience in their underwear. 6. Get in shape. I don't know why it helps stage fright, but it does. 7. Sometimes if you're strict with yourself and really imagine each practice to be a performance, you can "trick" your mind into a releasing some more adrenaline, even in practices. It's usually not so strong, but it can be done and helps a bit. 8. Get as much practice performing in front of people as possible. 9. Deep Breathing - Consciously breathing steadily and calmly seems to counteract the adrenaline release and sends the message that things aren't quite as bad as it first thought, so it may decrease the amount of adrenaline it is dosing you with. 10.
Take a Calcium and Magnesium supplement as you probably have a magnesium deficiency!!
Return from What is Stage Fright to Musicians Health
|
