3 answers
Shekinah
Student
Laurinburg, North Carolina
6
Questions
Asked
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What's it like to be a singer, and have an audience to perform in front of?
I would like to understand how other people feel on stage, while singing in front of an audience. #singer #singing #sing #singers-career
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3 answers
Lauren Michaud
General Management Rotational Program Associate
4
Answers
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Shekinah, what a fun question!
I've been performing in musicals, choirs, etc since 4th grade, but now I am a singer-songwriter in my 3-piece band. A couple things I can say: 1) It never gets old, performing is so addicting. 2) When I'm first starting a show or a set, I'm always nervous for the first couple songs.
To combat the nerves, I do a couple things:
I try not to be hard on myself. If I make a small mistake, not only will hardly anyone notice, but if they do, they are rooting for me! They want me to keep going and work through any mistakes. :)
I front-load my sets with songs I am more comfortable with/feel I could 'sing in my sleep', so to speak.
If I can see the audience, I tend not to focus on any one person for too long. I tend to "look through" the crowd most of the time, but occasionally I will look around to find the faces that are smiling and engaged; that way, when I'm having a great time, and feel like things are going well, I can "sing to" the happy audience members. If I mess up, or things aren't going great, they are usually also the ones giving me supportive faces and showing that they care.
I definitely recommend you join a choir! They are so valuable as learning opportunities, and you'll make some awesome friends.
I also suggest you (when possible) go see live shows and support local music. You'll learn a ton by watching performers (successful or not!) That's why I love going to open mics. They can be incredible and fun, but sometimes people are struggling with nerves, or are a little 'awkward' on stage. You can learn as much, if not more, from a struggling performer as you can from a successful one.
Finally, if you're looking to create or join a band, Open Mics are some of the best places to meet people who are "looking for additions"
Good luck!
Join a community choir
Go see local musicians: Open mics especially.
Give praise to musicians after their set, and ask them questions: ie, "How do you handle nerves?"
I've been performing in musicals, choirs, etc since 4th grade, but now I am a singer-songwriter in my 3-piece band. A couple things I can say: 1) It never gets old, performing is so addicting. 2) When I'm first starting a show or a set, I'm always nervous for the first couple songs.
To combat the nerves, I do a couple things:
I try not to be hard on myself. If I make a small mistake, not only will hardly anyone notice, but if they do, they are rooting for me! They want me to keep going and work through any mistakes. :)
I front-load my sets with songs I am more comfortable with/feel I could 'sing in my sleep', so to speak.
If I can see the audience, I tend not to focus on any one person for too long. I tend to "look through" the crowd most of the time, but occasionally I will look around to find the faces that are smiling and engaged; that way, when I'm having a great time, and feel like things are going well, I can "sing to" the happy audience members. If I mess up, or things aren't going great, they are usually also the ones giving me supportive faces and showing that they care.
I definitely recommend you join a choir! They are so valuable as learning opportunities, and you'll make some awesome friends.
I also suggest you (when possible) go see live shows and support local music. You'll learn a ton by watching performers (successful or not!) That's why I love going to open mics. They can be incredible and fun, but sometimes people are struggling with nerves, or are a little 'awkward' on stage. You can learn as much, if not more, from a struggling performer as you can from a successful one.
Finally, if you're looking to create or join a band, Open Mics are some of the best places to meet people who are "looking for additions"
Good luck!
Lauren recommends the following next steps:
Keri Dunkelberger
WA
20
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Keri’s Answer
You've had some great advice here Shekinah! Kevin and Lauren provided some fantastic insight and next steps for you to move toward. I think that performing in front of an audience is different for everyone, but as Kevin said, if you are emotionally connected to whatever it is you are performing, you will feel more confident about delivering the material.
Personally, I find that if I don't think too much about what I'm about to do, prior to taking the stage, I have much less anxiety during the performance. After the first few times I joined my friend's band on stage I found that the audience cared much less about the one or two little mistakes and more with the overall performance. As Lauren said, the audience and band just want you to keep going! ;)
There is no feeling in the world like performing in front of an audience. When they are as invested/engaged in the music as you are, it is like walking on clouds! You know, when you are done and people cheer for you, that you have both given each other a great gift that will remain in your memories for a long time.
Good luck. Don't sweat the small stuff, honestly. Just remember to BE YOU and have a GREAT time - usually your audience will come along for the ride! :)
Personally, I find that if I don't think too much about what I'm about to do, prior to taking the stage, I have much less anxiety during the performance. After the first few times I joined my friend's band on stage I found that the audience cared much less about the one or two little mistakes and more with the overall performance. As Lauren said, the audience and band just want you to keep going! ;)
There is no feeling in the world like performing in front of an audience. When they are as invested/engaged in the music as you are, it is like walking on clouds! You know, when you are done and people cheer for you, that you have both given each other a great gift that will remain in your memories for a long time.
Good luck. Don't sweat the small stuff, honestly. Just remember to BE YOU and have a GREAT time - usually your audience will come along for the ride! :)
Kevin M. McKale
Regional Sales Director at Dell
6
Answers
Updated
Kevin M.’s Answer
Nothing beats experience, Shekinah!
My recommendation would be for you to try something in your local community, church or school. Start small through summer theater and if singing is your thing make sure you have a good voice-coach with whom you can find music that fits your personality or you can put your own emotions behind. In order to get the most out of your experience and deliver the best performance, you will need to be emotionally connected to the content you're delivering, in my opinion.
I preformed on stage and suppose I still do so in front of small and large audiences today. It's an incredible feeling to practice and deliver a performance and truly entertain or engage people. Your audience can get as much out of your performance as you can.
Give it a shot... you'll be surprised at what is does for your confidence to take on any challenge!!
My recommendation would be for you to try something in your local community, church or school. Start small through summer theater and if singing is your thing make sure you have a good voice-coach with whom you can find music that fits your personality or you can put your own emotions behind. In order to get the most out of your experience and deliver the best performance, you will need to be emotionally connected to the content you're delivering, in my opinion.
I preformed on stage and suppose I still do so in front of small and large audiences today. It's an incredible feeling to practice and deliver a performance and truly entertain or engage people. Your audience can get as much out of your performance as you can.
Give it a shot... you'll be surprised at what is does for your confidence to take on any challenge!!