Hey there! I’m excited to share some tips on how to master the stage with you. I’ve been performing music for decades, and I thought I had it all figured out – until I froze up during a speech at a company launching event. It was a wake-up call for me, and I realized that speaking and performing music are two very different things that require different skill sets. I was over-confident and under-prepared, and it showed.
I’ve seen so many kids and teens tremble with fear on stage, and some even hide away or quit the recital altogether. It’s not easy, but if you want to make the stage your workplace, you must first master it. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
Know Your Role
YBefore you even step foot on stage, you need to be clear about your role. Are you a solo singer in a competition? Will you be giving a speech? Are you a backup dancer, a drummer, or the Emcee of the day? Once you know your role, everything you do should serve that purpose. For example, if you’re a singer in a competition, you want to amaze your audience with your skills, emotions, costume, or gimmicks. If you’re the drummer, make sure you play to supplement the song and not drown out the melody.
Know Your Intention
Whenever you’re on stage, you’re conveying a message, a feeling, or delivering entertainment. It’s important to have the right intention, or you risk coming off as unnatural or confusing your audience. For example, if you’re singing in a house of worship, make sure your pronunciation is clear and your heart is in the right place. If you’re sharing a testimony, express your emotions too. And if you’re singing in a competition, do all you can to impress the judges and audience.
Understand Your Task
Performing on stage requires multitasking – you’re doing many things at once, from singing to remembering lyrics and chords, to communicating with the audience, and more. It’s important to understand the magnitude of your task and be honest with yourself about what you can handle. Do you need to simplify your task or practice more? It’s a delicate balance, but with practice, you’ll improve and amaze your audience.
Be Prepared
The best way to take away your worries is to practice, practice, practice. Repetition builds muscle memory, and the more you practice, the more natural your performance will become. It’s also crucial to get enough rest and have a calm mind before any performance. Anxiety is your biggest enemy, so find ways to overcome it, like sleeping enough or meditating.
Get Comfortable on Stage
Standing on stage can be overwhelming – it’s loud, amplified, and intense. But the more you perform, the better you’ll become. Get familiar with the stage during rehearsal, and practice your song at a louder volume at home or in the studio. And don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the technical aspects of your performance, like the sound engineer and stage handymen.
Finally, enjoy the performance! Performing on stage is a great form of stress that can help you handle situations in life more calmly. Once you’ve mastered the stage, your speech, dance, music, and more will impact the audience and bring great satisfaction and fun.
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Perform within your capability. But you can challenge yourself during your rehearsal
– Poven
