I’m being judged for some contest, and I really want to do well, which I can’t if I’m to nervous to play. I’ve played live before, but always with a band, never solo. Please help!
Take a deep breath
Breathing exercises are a great way to help calm your nerves. Breathe long, deep breaths right before you respond to your cue in the performance. Breathing exercises can also help you focus on your part, instead of the reaction of the audience. A trick is to inhale as deep as you can and as quickly as you can, and exhale very slowly.
Use a Mirror
Many stage performers keep a hand-held mirror handy to practice lines from plays or sing a few lines from songs. A hand-held mirror is not only a good way for you to practice gestures, but to gauge your confidence. If you’re confident about how you look delivering your lines in front of a mirror, you wouldn’t have any problems delivering your performance in front of an audience.
Things to Avoid
Some foodstuffs and drinks can aggravate some symptoms of stage fright. Right before a performance, it’s a good idea to stay away from these calorie- and caffeine-rich foods:
Coffee
Candies
Cola, soda, and other carbonated drinks
Tomatoes, onions, and other acidic foods
Salty foods like chips and fast-food items.
Some actors swear by a potent alcoholic beverage, like a sip of whiskey or a glass of wine, to “calm the nerves.” It’s a better idea to stay away from alcohol right before your performance.
Enjoy the Performance
One of the best ways to avoid stage fright altogether is to have fun and enjoy the performance. Nothing will really change if you miss a few lines, give up an easy shot, or stammer a bit while delivering your report. Put your best foot forward whenever you go out on stage, and enjoy every bit of the performance. When you have fun, you can put behind all your worries and anxieties, and deliver a flawless performance.