I can relate...and haven't found much that helps me yet. When I sing solo, I get incredibly nervous and my legs, arms, stomach, voice shake uncontrollably. It is very embarrassing!

It took me almost three years just to sing in front of my husband! In fact, when we were dating, he used to call me before he left his house so I knew that he would be over in ten minutes or so. Often, I would be jamming in my room with the door closed. He didn't tell me until after we were married that he used to call me from the living room using my roomates line and then he would sit by my door to listen to me sing!!!

The next step for me was playing/singing when I knew he was just in the next room, and then playing in the dark, then with candlelight, and now I can sing in front of him just about anytime (unless its a new song and then I get shy all over again).

The problem is, I don't have that luxury with an audience, though I do often quip with them (at open mikes) that if they all just pretend they aren't listening I will sing much better. I get a pretty big laugh outta that one.

I will be watching the post with interest for any hints for me, too!

Thanks to the original poster for breeching this tough subject!

Jenn