this is going to sound really weird but I think I have a fear of mics. I discovered this a few weeks back when I had to use a mic in a performance I did with four friends (two other singers, a pianist and a drummer).

Up until then I had no idea that I had a fear of mics because I usually perform accapella and when i record in the studio I don't seem to have a problem. All I know is that when I performed it sounded good but there was no performance. I sang it practically perfectly but I looked dead, there was absolutely nothing coming from me.

At first I thought it was stage fright but that made no sense because I perform all the time, the only difference with this time was the fact that I had a mic, which I found weird because when I'm in the studio it's not an issue.

I don't understand what happened, does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Shelly Belly

No it doesn't sound weird at all!!

I think you should try buying yourself a really cheap microphone, and whenever you sing, practise with it. Even if it's not turned on - just to give you the feel of holding a microphone.

When you say 'you looked dead' (or something similar) do you mean that you were just standing there, and not moving? If this is the case; again, practise with a microphone whenever you sing, and try watching famous people singing - maybe try out some of their movements.

However I do stress, if you don't feel like moving when you hold a microphone - don't just move for the sake of it, otherwise it'll look fake. This is why practising moving on stage with a mic will help.

To be honest with you, I'm the complete opposite to you - so we can relate!!! I don't move at all when I sing without a mic!! When I have the mic in my hand, I feel safe and can move easier....but everyone's different!

Good luck with the mic - and don't worry about it; with a little practise with a mic I'm pretty sure you'll feel more comfortable.

Hope I was of any help

Love Laura
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Thank you Laura, I bet your advice is really going to help me, I will keep you posted with the lastest.

You made me feel like I'm not a total weirdo, most people I've spoken to about it have thought it's weird because like you they have the opposite problem to me, but I guess that's just because I've always performed accapella as I only just started taking singing lessons this year so the performances I used to do would be very spur of the moment with no time to get mics or anything, the musicians I work with are a bit random and crazy like that. We love to perform at any opportunity and work with whatever we've got.

Anyway I'm ranting again, but thanks again Laura!!!

No problem, hope it all works out for you!!

Love Laura
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