Performance nerves

Subject: RE: Performance nerves
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:37 PM

And not a peep back from Banjovey! do tell! was any of this useful, or not? did you find a course to do? or did all this fall on deaf ears?

Subject: RE: Performance nerves
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 06:47 PM

Re Richard Spencer's 9 August post, Sarah Morgan ran a very good workshop at Chippenham festival last year on techniques for dealing with nerves and stage fright, and she's a Mudcat member so you can PM Saro for more info.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Performance nerves
From: GUEST,Fantum
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 08:47 AM

Nerves yes always and everybody has them
quite normal use them to sharpen your performance.
Experience helps but it still happens

Practice a lot first rule.
That is why it shows up so often above all hail to those who say it

If you get the chance practice on an audience wife, friends, kids, the experience works
(My kids reported me for cruelty.)

Try not to get rushed about prior to your performance
Give yourself a minute or two to compose yourself before going on
Deep breathing prior to going on helps
Try and get the voice warmed up sing along with others

Booze - no you have enough on without being fuddled.
Afterwards you can drink to insensibility

An ice breaker is useful a good evening and this is a song by ....and off you go
Keep the intro short first time and that's probably good advice always
The audience is on your side and will forgive you and encourage you.

Take a glass of water with you if you are on any length of time

The Flight of the bumble bee in J augmented might be your party piece but start with something EASY.
40 verse marathons are not recommended
If it's a song the audience knows they will help you out

Try to relax and enjoy the experience the rewards can be great

Persevere

Good luck
Fantum

Subject: RE: Performance nerves
From: Banjovey
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 04:48 AM

Firstly, let me say thanks for all the responses and sorry for being somewhat tardy in replying.
I was very struck by the number of people who addressed nerves in connection with singing as contrasted with playing an instrument. Many of the points made of course refer to both. I find it particularly difficult when trying to sing and play at the same time, especially when playing fiddle. I've yet to find a successful way of splitting my concentration between the two and when I lose the instrumental bit I have trouble getting back on track.
Perhaps the two most important points I take from the thread are practice and perseverance.
Thank you all for the many suggestions about relaxation, breathing and other practical ways of addressing the issue. I also think there are psychological issues involved concerning one's "right to be a performer" and these are harder to address as they seem to touch on who one is as a person, issues of personal confidence in the world in general etc.
I've yet to find any workshops that might help with some of this though I was pleased to see that Frankie Armstrong will be coming to this area next year.
Once again, thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions.