Overcoming Stage Fright Part 2
Laurie LaCross-Wright
Open mic nights and jam nights
Open mic nights can be great fun or they can be uncomfortable - particularly if there are a lot of performers signed up to perform and you are only allotted time enough for just a song or two. Five or ten minutes usually doesnt give you enough time to calm down and play your best. Your best bet, at least initially, may be to look around for a laid back atmosphere so you have an opportunity to try playing several songs in a row. This will give you an opportunity to calm down and settle into playing. Hopefully the memory you will carry away from the experience will be the feeling of accomplishment toward at the end rather than the terror at the beginning. Once you realize that you won't have that horrid feeling every moment you are in front of an audience, it starts getting easier.
Finding a quiet space where you can limber up your voice and fingers in advance will help a lot. Try to find a spot where you can run through your songs before you get up to play. Go out to your car if you have to..
Choose your songs carefully
Place your more challenging tunes later in your set. Don't start out trying to impress people with a 'grandstand' tune that challenges your skills. For your first tune, choose a song that you are really comfortable with and isn't a huge stretch for you to play or sing. Pick a song you think folks will enjoy hearing, but a something you don't worry about hitting clunker notes on. If you're doing cover tunes, think about learning a song that folks can sing or clap on. Those are always a good choice because it takes the intense scrutiny off of you. Tell folks you'd like them to help out if they know the song. Chances are they won't hesitate to join in, especially if they see you are struggling with nervousness. Most of the folks who go to these things usually are sympathetic and DO want you to succeed.
If you're doing an original tune and it has a hooky chorus or bridge that folks can catch onto easily, introduce the song, maybe tell them a tidbit or two about what the song is about and how you came to write it, then invite them to sing on the chorus. Remember to apply those speaking / microphone techniques you practiced so hard. Speak the words to the chorus, sing it through once. Then tell them you want to hear them try it. Repeat the chorus with them chiming in. Then go ahead and do the song and with luck, they'll all join in and caterwaul along with you. It'll be fun.
Enlist help
Many times the person or band coordinating the open mic night provides accompaniment for those who sing but don't play an instrument. If you enjoy what another musician has played and get the impression they aren't a total jerk personality-wise, confess your nervousness and ask if they would be willing to back you up instrumentally. Choose a song that has just basic chord changes. Sometimes just having someone else up on stage with you is a huge help.
Keep copies of lyric sheets with you that also note the song key and chord structure. These will come in handy if others agree to accompany you but arent familiar with the material. Many players won't need them after a quick run through, but it never hurts to have them available. If the lyrics are in front of them they may be able to jump in with harmonies on the choruses.
Keeping these ideas in mind will go a long way toward helping you reach the next level of comfort.
Soon you'll be knocking 'em on their ass. And your audience will love you for it.
Have fun, Make music
Laurie
