Question from a Teen girl: Conquering nervousness…singing?
I’m in chorus in high school and I love to sing. Almost every year I do this solo & ensemble contest but my nerves never get any better. For a little bit, before I go up to sing I don’t feel nervous at all but then once I start then the whole shaky voice and leg shaking starts. In 6th grade and freshman year I got a 3rd. Last year I got a 1st. I’ve always been the type of person that is really insecure and no matter how many people say I sing well, I always doubt it. It’s kind of hard to know who to believe when your own choir teacher says you’re not good enough for a solo and everyone else says you sing well. So please help me with my nerves, the competition is in a week. Thanks
Answer: Hi Esther,
Great question!
I’ve written another post on “dry mouth” nerves, so my answer will only serve to expand on that very slightly.
Nerves are normal. What you described very well, 98% of the all performers also experience. Part of the answer is to learn to balance the “adrenaline dump” with oxygen in your body.
You’ll recognize the feelings … at a time very shortly before you are to perform your heart rate increases – anywhere from double to triple the normal speed. (Adrenaline has been dumped into your blood stream.) It’s important AT THAT TIME to breathe very deeply and slowly repeatedly. This helps to accomplish two things: a) slow down the heart rate and b) increase the oxygen to your brain. When the two are not in balance nerves tend to “take over” and “shaky voice” and “shaky legs” also known as “tetanic flutter” seem uncontrollable.
Nervousness isn’t going to go away – but you can get it under control – so that your nerves (the added adrenaline) actually serve to enhance the performance.
Go ahead and practice ahead of time what you are going to do when you feel the heart-rate rise – so that when the time comes, you’ll be doing something familiar and something you’re prepared to do. (Sit tall, stand or walk and breathe deeply – slowly and fully – several times.)
Then, when it’s time to walk on stage, look confident and secure (you’ll be amazed how feelings of the same will follow) and you’ll also set your audience at ease. Then enjoy expressing the song.
Best wishes to you!