hey
doess anyone have tips on how to get over nerves? i get so nervous and if i am to audition for somethong i never get in, as my singing sounds terrible and i can't get high as i too nervous
if anyone have suggestions, it would be much appreciated!
thanks in advance

Nerves before and during the performance are something everybody has, so it is perfectly normal.

This subject has been discussed many times, do a search in the Flute Forum, there were plenty of wise reccomenadtions there and most of them are applicable to singers as well, as the problem is the same.

I will give you some ideas, based on my own experience. I study singing since 4 years and we have one audition every end of the classes period. My next one is on June 23.

I have been anxious about it, not yet nervous, but no doubt I will be so the day of the audition.

The basic concept, IMO is to learn how to perform well even if you feel nervous beyond the "normal" state.

Do not even think of taking pills, drinks or anything at all to calm your nerves. It might make things worst, perhaps you would be nervous no longer, but it may happen that you do not perform well, forget the words, etc.

This take us to the other central point: You must know the piece you will be performing very, very well. You must memorize the words perfectly and repeat the verses when you drive, walk, travel by bus until you are sure you know everything without any hesitation.

It could be you have not enough time or cannot learn the words for some reason. In this case you must sing with the score in front of you. It is not so bad and I have done this twice in the past. Last year I had no score, I was singing a Napolitan song and I screwed it up a little. What happened? Nobody noticed it. Well, probably my teacher did, but he/she must must be in your trusted area.

This year I will sing a Lied from F. Schubert and "Stars" from the musical Les Miserables.

I already know the words, feel confident and have rehearsed without score several times. This will not prevent my being nervous the day of the audition, but if you feel confident, you can do it.

Now, if you do not feel confident or just do not know the piece well enough, well, you should not go to the audition, unless you are forced to do so.

Another trick that can be helpful is to perform in front of friends or relatives. I really hate to to this, but we all sing in class in front of peers and then we discuss the results. It is important to do this.

If you are self-taught or follow individual classes, then you should perform in front of others as often as possible. Nobody willing? Try doing it in church or in the worst case go and sing in a public park and have a look at the people who no doubt will stop, at least for a while. Do not do it at the corner of home, if you can put some distance.

Exposing yourself in this way will help you to control your nerves.

Last point: If you sing with accompaniment, you MUST rehearse with the same person and instrument before the audition or if he/she is not available, with someone else willing to help (or being paid for it).

But do not sing in public with an accompaniment who does not know the piece or has no experience. The singer and the piano, (for example) must match and normally the accompaniment (if experienced) will help you in case of errors you could make (typically tempo errors). A good accompaniment musician, if alerted, will even help you singing the part low so that you can catch up. But learn before how to do it, if you have the possibility.

If you sing with a recorded accompaniment (as I do), then you have the problem of how to recover if you get lost somewhere. Bad tempo again ,usually. Well this is difficult but not impossible

Last year I sang "All I ask from you" (from the phantom) with a student colleague in duet and a recorded karaoke-type sound track. At a certain moment, my colleague made her part too fast, finished almost a measure before due time and we lost sync with the track.

I had to enter there and I did before the right moment. But I knew the piece well enough, so I stopped and repeated my enter at the right moment and continued OK to the end. Probably some noticed it but it really it was not such a big problem.

But it could have gone differently and I could have remained out of sync for the rest of my part. If this had happened, most probably I would have tried to forget about the accompaniment and go on singing until the piece wass finished.

If you have someone close to the audio system and he/she is smart enough, the volume will be lowered so that the dis coordination was not so evident.

But the public will be paying attention to your singing, the accompaniment is just that, accompaniment and it can embellish (or spoil) a performance, but no more than that.

Sorry to having posted so long. I hope you reached this point and that it can be of some use to you.

Hi!

I can empathise with you there! I get so nervous before concerts/auditions etc, and I always question why I am putting myself through it (until I get out there, or come off stage and then I realise how much I love it!!).

I don't think there are probably any specific things you can do to prevent nerves, as everyone deals with them differently. One thing that is good, is taking deep breaths...this will help to calm you down, and also will help your singing. This is because if your breaths are short and shallow, then your voice will lack control and you won't be able to reach the end of phrases. Deep breaths = controlled and therefore more pleasing vocals!!

Obviously always warm-up before you sing - try singing some fun songs which will help you take your mind off of your nerves. At my school our music teachers always get us to sing the funniest most random songs (which have become a tradition!!), and this always helps us to relax (whilst continuing to warm up your voice).

Another way you can help prevent nerves is to practise your piece more. If you are confident that you know it well, then you will be more relaxed.

Also, show your song to a few people (family, friends or your music teachers) to get you used to singing to people. It might also help if they gave constructive critisism, which (providing that you work on what they said!) will make you feel more confident in that your audience will like what you're singing!!

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Laura

<Added>

ps - Also, you said that you have trouble reaching the high notes when you're nervous. I know what you mean! One thing you can focus yourself on when you're singing is the notes. It sounds silly, but if you think about singing low when you sing the high notes, they'll be easier to get to, and will sound a lot nicer and controlled. It sounds weird, but honest it's really helped me!

Also, the chances are (or at least I find this) that you're really nervous beforehand, but as soon as you start singing you kind of get lost in the song, and to be honest half the time I get lost in a bit of a dream world. People say how they'd never be able to sing in front of people, but I don't actually really notice the audience there, because I'm too busy enjoying myself! I know a few people who also say this - so you never know, you may be the same!

XxX

hwy i know it sounds wierd but eat a banana lol that is what i was told to do

hwy i know it sounds wierd but eat a banana lol that is what i was told to do

hwy i know it sounds wierd but eat a banana lol that is what i was told to do

I understand about being nervous! I am every time - whether it is a flute performance in a band or an audition for flute or a show, I am extremely nervous...

and all of this has helped :D thanks!