Overcoming fear of performing music?

Question:

Overcoming fear of performing music?

If formal performance opportunities are not an option, what is the next best way for me to overcome my fear of performing music for people who are not my immediate family? Of course, I do fine when in the comfort and privacy of my own home, but as soon as people are actively listening to me play, I have memory lapses, my hands shake, and I make mistakes left and right.

I wish I could have more confidence or "loosen" it up a bit, but all my life, I have never been very successful at sharing my music with others, and I would really like to overcome this fear (which can be a pretty big shortcoming for a musician).

Any advice? Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Try volunteering at a nursing home as a music performer. I know some places get people to play piano for the residents, so maybe they would let you play your instrument. Try playing when you visit other people. If possible, play at church, in school, in front of friends when they come over.

Hope this helps. I had/have the same problem. It just takes practice to overcome. Maybe try with a younger crowd first. Nieces, nephews. Christmas is always a great time of the year, because everyone loves to sing Christmas carols, and no one is a professional. Participation may help you get over the fear. I've been playing since the 70s, and I still make mistakes. Laugh when it happens. Make them believe that you did it on purpose. You're the musician, not them. It's not easy to get over performance nerves, but the more you perform, the more used to it you become.

When you practice, imagine that you are in the performance venue, and that you have an audience. If you have the chance, practice in the your performance venue to get used to performing outside your own home.

It's not so much about loosening up, but staying focused on the music. Don't think about what other people are thinking about you. Once, my teacher said to me, "you would stop worrying about what people think of you if you realized how infrequently they did."

Concentrate on the music and the emotions it evokes, not the nervousness you feel. Pretend there is no one else there. It is just you and the music. And when you start to feel nervous or shaky, just concentrate more and pour the nervous energy into the performance. I think stage fright comes from a feeling that people will be looking for all your mistakes and then pick on them or laugh at you. The answer is preparation. Practice til you are so confident of the piece of music you're playing becomes second nature and your confidence will come through in your performance. If you are highly prepared, even in the unlikely case a mistake is made, you are able to get through it and not let it throw you. Good luck.