Can I have some advice please.

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curvyscientist

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Hi,
firstly all thank you if you manage to make it to the end of this !
Right I am 31, partially sighted and have Tourettes... I have been in a band for a year. We have done several gigs at the same pub, more practice sessions really. Recently we have moved from the pub into a new place to practice and it is great. We are about to do our first paid gig in 3 weeks. I adore singing, it gives me much needed stress relief. But I am terrified.. I sing great in practice but as soon as I have to be a ''frontwoman'' I just freak. I have to have my lyrics with me as a sort of safety net. I have them to my lower left on my stand so I can glance at them out of the good ish eye.. I get annoyed at the fact that in work I can sing along and know all the lyrics, but put me in the pub/gig setting I cannot remember anything. I am quite hard on myself over this it makes me feel like a failure before I begin. But when you see an orchestra its ok for them to have their music infront of them..
How can I get more confidence in myself ?,or am I just doomed to fail from the start. We are all aged from 31 - 58 so not younglings, and we all get on great and they are mostly fine with me having my lyrics. I think I need to believe in my ability and have some more confidence in myself, I have recently lost 140 pounds and although I am in no way small yet I don't have the size to hide behind, and feel as if I am going to be judged on everything from my weight my lyrics and my voice, which to be fair I will be. Please can someone just give me some advice. We recently filmed practice and we are on youtube and facebook under Ketosis rock I would be grateful for some tips if anyone can take the time to help me please. Many thanks Nicola Charalambou x
 
I've got one word for you- Inderal. A cardiac med often prescribed by MD's in low doses for stage fright. If it isn't contraindicated by any of your other meds or conditions, your MD can write a prescription for you. They eat it like candy at Julliard and Berklee of Boston. Don't worry about Tourette's- just learn a couple of Gangsta rap tunes. If you use bad words, who'll notice?-Richie
 
Thank you Richard, I don't actually tic when I sing so thats good. Maybe I caould try taking one of my TS meds before a gig instead of alcohol lol. Thank you again for taking the time to comment x
 
Okay - I'll be honest - you sing great!

I checked out a few of your videos and you definitley can handle all the songs your sing. Band is great. Total bar quality. Get some paying gigs and cash in!
 
Hi Ketosis Rock Chick,

You don't have a problem just a few stage nerves.

I went through a similar situation when I did my first Weekend Warriors gig.
We had done plenty of practice and I felt fine until someone asked how my stage fright was going.

Mongrels.

The more you practice the better, but there is nothing prohibiting you having the words on a stand in case you get lost.

I would suggest you get a solid music stand without the flimsy see through page supports.
That way your music will be pretty much out of view and it will withstand a couple of bumps
or you can put a small battery powered light on it in case the lights dim when your trying to read.

In the words of Ophra Winfrey "You go girl"
ciao

BronwynH :guitar:
 
Thank you IDO and Bronwyn (welsh ?) I am welsh lol. I will take on board everything you have all said, and stop being so hard on myself about needing my lyrics. Thank you all again for taking the time to read my whinge and for commenting xx
 
Chances are if your getting paid gigs then they think your good and they believe in you n'est pas?
Pretend your at work or practicing try to relax and enjoy it. sometimes easier said than done i know i suffer terrible stage fright.
I'd certainly never heard of beta blockers for stage fright before I'm not sure it's a good idea but it might work for you consult a doctor.
I'm willing to bet when you get to the last tune you want to do more.
I've seen the you tube video just keep going the more you do the easier it gets and remember why you do this because as a pub band you aint gonna get rich so it's got to be for the fun of it and the love of music.
Nothing wrong with having your words on stage, maybe try to have a bit more attitude on stage. concentrate on your performance and look above the audiance. 'cause lookin in the eyes of a an expectant audiance can be daunting.
ps I'm no expert
Have fun and enjoy at least your getting paid gigs.
 
You'll be fine. Just remember your first 500-1000 gigs are practice and don't count. After that you can start taking things seriously and beat yourself up about mistakes.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
You'll be fine. Just remember your first 500-1000 gigs are practice and don't count. After that you can start taking things seriously and beat yourself up about mistakes.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^ - it's just stage fright, you'll get over it with experience.

Like they say in the Johnny Walker ad, conquer your fear or spend your life waiting in the wings. Oh, and beta blockers, apparently...
 
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