“I love to sing, but I don’t have enough confidence to sing in front of other people.”
Does this sound like you?
Almost every aspiring singer has had these thoughts at least once in their life. It’s something we hear all the time in our classes!
Singing is a very personal experience – and no matter who you are, it’s always scary to open yourself up. Although it’s not really possible to completely reduce nerves while performing, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help keep them at bay.
Why do people have no confidence in singing?
First, we have to identify certain problems that people have holding them back. Each of these types will have different solutions that fit them better than the others:
Beginners – for these guys, it’s a matter of experience, they don’t have vocal capability or trust in it yet.
Intermediate to Advanced – this normally comes down to perfectionism, or having to reach certain expectations from others.
Other aspects of life that may be affecting confidence (hardship, break ups, etc.) These can either be due to the ups & downs or may be a prolonged psychological issue.
The good news is, understanding where you’re at will help you identify how you can get better – especially with the help of a long term plan. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for confidence, regardless of what stage you’re at.
In the meantime, the solutions below will apply to every stage.
Preparation
If you want to be confident in something, you have to put in the work. In this context, this means you have to absolutely know your song inside and out. Familiarise yourself with the structure, the meaning, the style & the lyrics of the song. You’ll need to know the timing & the rhythm of the backing, especially if you’re working with a track – unlike a band, it won’t be able to adjust to you.
You’d be surprised at how many people don’t put this preparation work in. It’s a very simple thing & everyone knows this – but it needs to be constantly reiterated. It might take months or even years to pull back the layers, change up the way you want to do certain sections or even your emotional feelings with the song!
Make sure you put the prep work in, and you will feel more confident in singing.
Experience
There is no better experience than live performing experience. You can do all the scales & practice by yourself, but at some point you have to understand how to handle a performance! Building a tough skin is extremely important in your growth as a singer.
The following are great ways of getting more experience in vocal performances:
- Open mic nights
- Jam with friends
- Team up with a guitarist & piano
- Record yourself
- Karaoke competitions & showcases
- Audition
Another great option is Singing Sydney’s Singing Gyms – these provide a warm & supportive environment in which you can practice the songs you need to perform!
Surround Yourself With Great Singers
Have you ever tried to get critique from friends & family? They’re great, but if they don’t sing they wouldn’t be able to provide the right feedback to you. There is no one better in understanding singing & confidence than other singers!
If you can surround yourself with supportive & aspiring singers, you can also inspire each other to get better. Whether it be choosing songs, sharing bits & pieces of your experience, or holding an open mic together – there are plenty of reasons why you should surround yourself with singers.
Furthermore, you can keep each other on track with all of your singing goals.