Performing in front of a crowd is tough. Especially if you are extremely self-conscious, like myself, then the thought of doing anything publicly immediately stirs fear into your system. However, each time you do something in front of a crowd, it does not get easier, but you find different ways to cope to make it more enjoyable and less anxiety provoking.
A few tips I have learned over the years is just go for it. Go all in because if you do your best, who can stop you? Until recently, I have rejected every opportunity to sing or play an instrument publicly. I do not know what happened, but I started signing up for coffee houses at school and planning on doing a solo performance where I take music lessons during their spring concert.
Preforming at my school's coffee house was extremely enjoyable and a good experience to learn how to perform and get comfortable with performing live. I had practiced my song on the piano and sang along about two weeks prior. I originally planned on learning a new song and singing it, but I chose a song I was most comfortable with on piano, as well as range wise for singing. The week of the performance, I decided to change my song to "Taxi Cab" by Twenty One Pilots. This was the song I was most comfortable with on piano and vocally. Choosing a song I was comfortable with definitely decreased my anxiety when performing, and it also gave me a smaller chance at messing up the piano. When you are deciding what to do, whether it be an audition, singing, playing a guitar solo, or giving a concert, it is always best to choose something you are comfortable with, because that is how you will do your best.
Another trick I use is I imagine myself practicing. I do not think of what other people might say when I am performing, I stared at the black piano and acted I was at home. This led to me being more comfortable when performing and allowed me to be open when singing (which lets me be on key, not sharp or flat).
When thinking of performing, think of something you are passionate about and comfortable with. Always sign up and do not chicken out. After signing up, tell all of your friends and family and encourage them to come. This will decrease your chance of backing out because everyone you know already expects you to perform.
In the end, it is all about being comfortable with yourself. Dress how you are comfortable with, play the song at your own pace, change the song up a bit to fit your style- whatever you do, do it for you because that is the most important part. The audience is not performing, you are.
