Musicians and Singers? Share Your Experiances

[1LOVE-T]

I was wondering which forum I should put this in, but I guess since it pertains music it should be here...

So I'm wondering how many of you out there are musicians and singers (soloists or small choir groups)
I'm curious how you guys get/got over stage fright if you had it, and how you're able to let all that energy out of you.
I'm really having trouble with the latter, mostly because I have a big personality, but I feel like I hold back. Also, I feel like I'm in competition with some friends and I came in late in the game.

If you can't tell, I'm having a bit of trouble with my singing.

But I want to know your voice type/instrument you play, songs you like to sing/play, techniques, etc. Big ol' music disccusion

[PoetGirl]

Im very strange, I never got nervous, Im singing since I was 6. I was singing in the choir, I was the lead singer, singing verses and I was standing in a front, as a child I had no idea I had to be nervous lol, I couldnt wait to get out there! As I was growing older I realized people around me was actually nervous lol, I was only nervous they got nervous! I couldnt calm them down, I remember my friend would throw up lik 3 times before our show. Im excited, happy, but never afraid of the public, but when I was singing to my teachers omg... I was frightened, my stomach hurt and everything but in business like that time goes even faster, you cant make them wait, so its like NOW OR NEVER, and when I start singing, I relax in a song, Im carried by my emotions so I dont care no more. I dont know how to handle a fear, I just 'GO'

[1LOVE-T]

Ahhh you're one of the lucky few
See, when I started choir, I feel like my mom almost pushed me out there. And for a while I guess I wanted to public too, I was just always afraid they didn't want me (lol).
Until recently (Michael Jackson's death on my birthday last year to be exact) I haven't really felt a true drive.
I get incredibly nervous in front of teachers, even my voice coach yesterday! (do you have a voice coach?)
I'm hoping that for my small choir group tomorrow, I can really just pull it together and do what Iknow I can do, you know?
What's your voice type?

[PoetGirl]

Yeah, since Im solo singer I have a voice coach. and Im more scared of her, than anyone else, cuz I know she'll be tired of my mistakes for my 15th time -.-''
And she realizes every little mistake I make so I find myself to repeat the song billions of times!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
mezzo soprano, yours?

[prussian blue]

^I didnt know you're a singer from choir!

I play violin and sometimes I was asked to play with some kids in shopping mall by our music school. Of course I will be nervous, my palms were getting wet and my legs are shaking so hard right before the show. And I will keep over thinking "what if my strings broke during the show?" "What if i mis-play some of the notes because my palms are wet?" But these kind of doubt just disappear once you get into the show. When you see the audience are happy to see you, and you yourself enjoy what you are doing, I dont think those nervous thing is bothering you that much.

[prussian blue]

^I didnt know you're a singer from choir!

I play violin and sometimes I was asked to play with some kids in shopping mall by our music school. Of course I will be nervous, my palms were getting wet and my legs are shaking so hard right before the show. And I will keep over thinking "what if my strings broke during the show?" "What if i mis-play some of the notes because my palms are wet?" But these kind of doubt just disappear once you get into the show. When you see the audience are happy to see you, and you yourself enjoy what you are doing, I dont think those nervous thing is bothering you that much.

[1LOVE-T]

A violinist, fantastic! I wish I played the violin, is it difficult?
I feel like I still get nervous because my mix is still in an akward transition, which my voice coach and I are working on.
You voice coach is mean??? D: I guess I'm surprised because my voice coach is the only one I've ever had, though she's stressed that voice coaches should not make their students feel tense and nervous (which I love about her!)
I'm a high soprano in head voice and a mezzo-soprano in my mix

[primavera♥]

Although I've often been told by directors and such I should, I don't intend to take music as a profession. However its a passion

I play euphonium/baritone (whatever u wanna call it) in concert band. This summer I learn trombone. I used to play trumpet. I very much love brass
So I've always done concert band at my middle school where we took trips and I got solos. I do get very nervous
now I do high school concert band which is myu elective choice instead of IB Music Theory
I prefer band stuff. Not solo things

My problem is with auditions. I've done All County Band since 7th grade. But each year I never get used to being judged by people when its just me byself
But I've made it every year with either first, second, or third chair
Its All State that kills me. I can't hurt. I've just never had the guts to do it. And I'm in trouble right now because I still refused and my mom was trying to force me
Even if everyone has confidence in me I can't do it

And then there's solo ensemble that I HAVE to do again as a course requirement. Its just me and a piano accompanying.
And just that one judge is terror to me. I got Superior last time. But I wanted to vomit while I was in there

On the occasions where I do an audience its just horrid. I don't like solos. I just don't. And nothing helps.
All I need is to be under scrutiny of one person to make me nervous

But I think if u focus. Just really focus some of that nervous energy into deep concentration then you will do extremely well. The one time I wasn't nervous and didn't care I did my worst.
So I think its somewhat a good thing. Either way its worth it in the end.
But hey I'm a high school sophomore. Idk if I can help much. But that's what I think. Just focus

Lol sorry to tell my whole life story.

[1LOVE-T]

I used to play trombone in 5-7th grade!
But you're like a super-band kid, seriously!
And a sophmore too oh d*** (are we allowed to say that here?)
I don't think you should be forced into something you don't want to do, but I'm thinking you maybe should consiter it, especially if you're that good. I think confidence is the problem with your nerves, just my guess though.

[Kanzaki]

Hm, well. I might not be the one to answer here, but I've been singing in some school musicals, and for some visitors at my boarding school when I was 15 (they wanted to hear what our special musician schooling was all about).

I was in a school choir again until recently; I couldn't bear being on stage. So yeah. I guess I'm seconding this request on how to cope with stage fright

[koumori]

I used to be a pretty good singer until I damaged my throat. Now I can't sing anymore. It's a shame, cause I had just got talent-spotted. >>; That's bad timing for ya.

[xLuna&1LOVE]

I play piano. Not songs from other musicians, but my own creations. I make my own songs, and own lyrics.. but: I can't sing haha. No seriously, some people have hope and think their voice could improve, but I'm sure not even the best sing-coach could improve my voice.
Doesn't mean I don't like to sing. When I know that no one is at home, I start singing.. very loudy..
Want to hear my voice in public? Just get me drunk first, and you will have the time of you life.

@ Poetgirl! Omg, I really want to hear you sing! So awesome

Spoiler:

maybe you can sing my songs

@Koumori, Oh, that sucks. Can't a voice coach help you?

[1LOVE-T]

Koumori how in the world did you do that???
Kanzaki I've alot of theater friends but I'm more of a soloist myself, I can't really get the acting thing down
xLuna&1LOVE if you can hold a tune, you can sing no matter what (imo anyway) but the piano's awsome, can you play off of notes or are you self taught?

Edit: Maybe you guys can post videos of your songs? I wanna hear your talent!

[xLuna&1LOVE]

^ Uh yeah, I had piano lessons in the past, but I had the feeling I didn't learn anything new. That's why I gave up and started to make own creations.
For you, I would record everything so.. yeah. Just have to find a microphone, haha.

[koumori]

I don't know if a voice coach could help me now My throat got badly burnt on the inside when I was around twelve. I can talk normally now and sing okay, but not as good as I used to be because high notes are a no-no. (For now~~) But it's not like I'm terrible at singing..well I hope not. Singing was my passion, and then after I couldn't it became drawing.

I'd like to hear you all sing though! ^^ Maybe I should practice again and see if it makes a difference. I'd love to be able to again.

[1LOVE-T]

xLuna&1LOVE better find that microphone then! I definatly want to hear one of your originals
Koumori Well, maybe there is a way to regain your voice. If it's only the high notes you can't hit, I'm sure a very chest-voice heavy song would be perfect for you. Also, I heard lip rolls could help repair a damaged voice. I don't know for certain but it wouldn't hurt to try

[AyuRox]

@ StrawbariSnowAyumi: Yay! another band person!

Only, I play clarinet. I don't get too nervous whenever the whole band is playing, but if ever I get a solo, then i, like, freak out. I get horrible stage fright . And whenever I have to audition. just the knowledge that there are 3 or 4 people sitting there listening attently to everything i do freaks me out. Or in marching band, since were all spread out across the field, I can hear myself more, and that makes me more conscious of my playing. (Plus I don't wanna screw up the marching either) In general, I get nervous pretty easily

But its funny you mention All-county, because I've done All-District every year since 7th grade. But i always heard people saying stuff about this "All-County" thing when i was at All-District, and I had no idea what they were talking about. It wasn't until last year (my sophomore year) that i realized what all-county was. We only have 1 high school in our county, so we've never had an all-county band so i had no idea what it was. XD

OT: I didn't know until now, when Firefox's spell check picked it up, that "sophomore" has an 'o' between the 'h' and the 'm' O_o

[YuriChan]

I play the flute! So... I wouldn't know how to describe myself when I'm playing in exception that when I get nervous, I would imagine that I'm by myself (or so I try anyway )! I remember when I did my midstate try-outs, my flute teacher taught me to be comfortable when auditioning... So I wore my slippers to the auditions! I had strange looks that day, but I didn't care! XDD I played well, but didn't make it (due to my poor sight-reading skills)! X_X;;

[PoetGirl]

Aw Luna. I write my own songs too, but I dont sing them when Im not with band.
And as I grow older I leave singing behind
With college and job its pretty difficult to be active in singing.

[1LOVE-T]

Sight reading is hell! I used to have to do that for trombone and I absolutly sucked at it!
So mostly everyone here get's nervous? Dang, but it sounds like everyone's pretty good and made it to pretty high standards (band wise)
I've heard of All-State and such (for choir and band) but never All-Country, where would they possibly meet for that many partisipants?
^ PoetGirl, so I guess you're not a Music major then? it's a shame.