# Getting over Stage Fright / Nervous feeling **URL:** \ **Category:** random\ **Created:** [April 23, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634 "2006-04-23T01:36:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anwiyayoukhanna](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/anwiyayoukhanna/32/247_2.png) [@anwiyayoukhanna](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/anwiyayoukhanna)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/1 "2006-04-23T01:36:17Z")
Hey I just finished playing a flute solo in a small talent show. I know that I get pretty nervous before any sort of performance, so I am trying to figure out ways to fix that. I read that glossophobia (the scientific term i think for stage fright) is caused by either a traumatic event, or in my case, a gradual buildup of avoiding speaking in front of public, or attracting attention to yourself in a group. I figure the logical way to fix that, is to force yourself into talking in front of people, so I should just try to play music in front of people as much as I can in front of audience until I’m comfortable with it. According to an article I found by searching for stage fright in [wikipedia.com](http://wikipedia.com), it is more common than the fear of death. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Wheeler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/59ef9b/32.png) [@Jeff\_Wheeler](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Jeff_Wheeler)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/2 "2006-04-23T01:38:54Z")
Yeah, I agree. I definitely can’t speak in front of people (once in fifth grade I had to read my crappy essay to the entire grade, and all of the teachers and parents). I don’t fear death at all. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thesparky007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thesparky007](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/thesparky007)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/3 "2006-04-23T03:25:39Z")
stage fright… i hate that! i am still kinda afraid of speaking in big crowds, or mainly just of attention focused on me there are some classes you can take which actually help u a lot if u are in high school, you could take communication applications ---
**Author:** ![Maxtr0sity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maxtr0sity](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Maxtr0sity)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/4 "2006-04-23T03:30:59Z")
This is what helps me. Stare at people’s foreheads. Pretend everyone’s retarded. Pretend the audience is a pong field, play pong with their eye contact. ---
**Author:** ![thesparky007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thesparky007](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/thesparky007)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:32am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/5 "2006-04-23T03:32:35Z")
> [@Maxtr0sity](#): > > This is what helps me. > > Stare at people’s foreheads. > Pretend everyone’s retarded. > Pretend the audience is a pong field, play pong with their eye contact. u sound like tim from home improvement “picture everyone naked” ---
**Author:** ![bwh2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@bwh2](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/bwh2)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/6 "2006-04-23T04:07:49Z")
i used to have really bad stage fright. then my life changed with a 40 minute video named [“perfect presentations” by arch lustberg](http://www.lustberg.net/products.htm). if you can afford to drop $150 or find a copy of it somewhere, it’s a golden ticket. if you can’t, here’s my suggestion: slow down and don’t be afraid of silence. ---
**Author:** ![esnetni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5a626/32.png) [@esnetni](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/esnetni)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/7 "2006-04-23T05:08:04Z")
hey I had to be in a play and I was an indian ok. I had to dress like an indian without gel, hat, shirt and I had to wear those cloth thingy instead of pants. I felt nude and I wasn’t comfortable. what I did is picture everyone on fire so then I would think everyone is not paying attention to me. Hehe but really picturing people naked is a good idea hehe.🐇 ---
**Author:** ![nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@nobody](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 5:17am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/8 "2006-04-23T05:17:55Z")
You just have to remind yourself that everything is going to be okay. I enjoy talking in front of large groups, I’ve worked a lot on my speaking voice and being a little more charismatic and it’s been really helpful. You’ll find that once you can talk in front of groups you’ll feel a lot better and people will think you’re swell. I used to equate it to a bee sting or something similar, it’s momentarily painful but it’ll subside. Just do it a lot, it’ll come to you. ---
**Author:** ![unclesond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@unclesond](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/unclesond)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 10:58am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/9 "2006-04-23T10:58:39Z")
> [@bwh2](#): > > here’s my suggestion: slow down and don’t be afraid of silence. I’d second that. If its speaking have a good plan, take bullet points with you for reference if you get lost. Practice the night before in front of a couple of people, mum, dad, partner, neighbour. Be confident, what your saying is the best/most correct/most informative thing ever said. And again, don’t be afraid of silence. ---
**Author:** ![Jasninder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jasninder](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Jasninder)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/10 "2006-04-23T11:15:28Z")
i am never afraid of stage or anykinda fright as i’v been performing as a dj since the age of 13, big crouds, unknown people…anyways in school my coach ones told me to face the world and eyes of the people, make them love you…but whatever you do believe in whatever you are going to say on stage before you try and make others believe in the same thing or agree on same point…hope it helps and yea as unclesond said dont be afraid of the silence, i totally agree…dont, i’v delivered many seminars, hosted college and school shows, debates and never have i left with eveyone stunned quiet and silent…meant never been that impressive or worst comes to worst disgusting…one one an average / good boundry 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bird\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bird\_E](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Bird_E)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 11:16am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/11 "2006-04-23T11:16:36Z")
Im like… extremely shy, and I absolutely hate public speaking. I find that it really helps if you know your stuff, whether it be playing an instrument, knowing the topic of a speech, etc. I also convince myself that no one is really ‘listening’, and so it doesnt matter if I stuff up. Probably not the best mindset, its kinda like saying ‘you can all toddle off and ignore me while I do my little thing’. In speeches, maybe bring it to a bit of an ‘informal’ tone. Though its not exactly advisable, and being ‘professional’ may not allow for it, I find that the people who bring it down to a ‘you and me’ level often deliver the most memorable (and best) speeches. Take the time to practice talking in front of a mirror. When I become ‘used’ to my voice and speaking in an interesting tone, i feel much better for myself, and it makes it easier to speak as well as socialize. ---
**Author:** ![Bird\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bird\_E](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Bird_E)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 11:16am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/12 "2006-04-23T11:16:51Z")
Im like… extremely shy, and I absolutely hate public speaking. I find that it really helps if you know your stuff, whether it be playing an instrument, knowing the topic of a speech, etc. I also convince myself that no one is really ‘listening’, and so it doesnt matter if I stuff up. Probably not the best mindset, its kinda like saying ‘you can all toddle off and ignore me while I do my little thing’. In speeches, maybe bring it to a bit of an ‘informal’ tone. Though its not exactly advisable, and being ‘professional’ may not allow for it, I find that the people who bring it down to a ‘you and me’ level often deliver the most memorable (and best) speeches. Take the time to practice talking in front of a mirror. When I become ‘used’ to my voice and speaking in an interesting tone, i feel much better about myself, and it makes it easier to speak as well as socialize. ---
**Author:** ![chrisclick](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/chrisclick/32/1991_2.png) [@chrisclick](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/chrisclick)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/13 "2006-04-23T11:24:40Z")
Deap breathes, drink plenty of water 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jasninder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jasninder](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Jasninder)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/14 "2006-04-23T12:33:42Z")
not plenty of water…what if you really start to enjoy and get into the speech thingy and then you feel like you got to go pee pee 😃 you NOWAY can take the breaks when you are on stage. ---
**Author:** ![chrisclick](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/chrisclick/32/1991_2.png) [@chrisclick](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/chrisclick)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 12:38pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/15 "2006-04-23T12:38:21Z")
lol… got to the toilet before and after or have a spare pair of pants ---
**Author:** ![Phenex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/phenex/32/686_2.png) [@Phenex](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Phenex)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 12:46pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/16 "2006-04-23T12:46:35Z")
Walk up to the stage. **OWN** it! Be a megalomaniac for once in your life. If you lack self-confidence, be an ego-psycho. Agression is necessary on stage, but; **channeled agression**. Listen to any professional speaker, or stage presenter or even just an average Joe in your campus or anywhere around. Notice the tone of their voice when they talk normally in public, when they get up to the stage and then, notice the change in their tone once they get off stage. Yes! You’ll notice the after-effects of channeled agression mixed with a sense of pride. When such presenters speak they are always polite and attending to the crowd with a lot of interaction BUT there is this subtle tinge in their voice that says clearly: “I am right.” The only key to being a good speaker/crowd pleaser is: Be very secure and comfortable about who you are. Being insecure is very normal but with time and patience you start believing in yourself. And trust me. When you get on stage and give a solid presentation (even though for the first time) and get off the stage, you’ll notice something raging inside you. Feel it. Because once you feel that, you won’t need to ask that “stage fright” question anymore. ---
**Author:** ![SlowRoasted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@SlowRoasted](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/SlowRoasted)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/17 "2006-04-23T16:44:56Z")
I find drinking an energy drink before speaking helps me. Defnitely not coffee though. I had a speach a while back that I totally blew because I had drank like 3 cups of coffee right before it. I was so wired I couldn’t think. ---
**Author:** ![foodpk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/0ea827/32.png) [@foodpk](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/foodpk)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/18 "2006-04-23T16:52:34Z")
> [@anwiyayoukhanna](#): > > According to an article I found by searching for stage fright in [wikipedia.com](http://wikipedia.com), it is more common than the fear of death. That’s true. Thus we can come to the conclusion that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy (funeral speech) for the deceased. ---
**Author:** ![Phenex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/phenex/32/686_2.png) [@Phenex](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Phenex)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/19 "2006-04-23T18:44:22Z")
That’d be nice to see. No? I feel… yes… No? But I really do think so… Still no? OK. ---
**Author:** ![anwiyayoukhanna](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/anwiyayoukhanna/32/247_2.png) [@anwiyayoukhanna](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/anwiyayoukhanna)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634/20 "2006-04-23T21:49:34Z")
> [@foodpk](#): > > That’s true. Thus we can come to the conclusion that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy (funeral speech) for the deceased. Thats kind of funny. > I find drinking an energy drink before speaking helps me. Defnitely not coffee though. I had a speach a while back that I totally blew because I had drank like 3 cups of coffee right before it. I was so wired I couldn’t think. I also read that Alcohol is a popular, but unhealthy solution. I feel I can just get better with more practice, I actually did much worse a few months ago when I played Eight Days a Week in front of a small group. I couldn’t hit a note for the life of me even though I did it perfect when I was alone. I will slowly improve with these tips, thanks for all the replies guys. [Next page](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/getting-over-stage-fright-nervous-feeling/186634.md?page=2)