Performing in Public
Performing in public can be both exciting and frightening for any new performer whether they are a singer, an instrumentalist, an actor or simply someone giving a speech on a social occasion. Many people who are shy at first develop into dynamic performers who can both entertain and captivate an audience. Like any other skill, performing in public takes time to develop and there is much to be learned from watching other performers.
To begin with, the best approach can be to simply take a deep breath, walk on, smile, look the audience in the eye and begin with a song you are very familiar with. If you are nervous, concentrate on the sound you and the rest of the band are making and move your body to the music in any way that feels good.
If you are able to enjoy yourself, this will communicate itself to the audience. Nervousness can be turned into excitement and positive energy and can actually make your natural reactions and responses to the music quicker.
Overcoming Nerves
There are three essential elements in overcoming nervousness and turning it into a positive. The first of these is knowing your material well. This means thoroughly rehearsing all aspects of each song before you even consider performing them. If you are unsure of the timing of the count-in or the feel, or the form of the song, it is not surprising that you would become nervous. The more certain you are of these things, the more you are free concentrate on expressing the music.
The second element is being comfortable with your equipment and your environment. Most public performances involve the use of amplification. The singer’s voice will be amplified by a PA system and in larger venues all the instruments including the drums may be put through the PA system and operated by a sound engineer so the audience gets a good balance of all the sounds. Don’t be startled by hearing yourself or the rest of the band through the PA system or foldback speakers.
If possible, it is advisable to have a sound check before members of the public arrive. Most professional ensembles have a thorough sound check in which all the equipment is tested individually and together at least an hour (preferably more) before the show. This allows everybody to become comfortable with the sound of the room as well as the equipment. If you learn a bit about PA systems you can also communicate your requirements and preferences to the person operating the sound system.
The third element is trusting yourself. If you are considering performing in public, you are probably fairly confident that you are making a good sound and your timing is solid. By this stage, you have probably received compliments from friends as well. In this case, you should be able to play equally well or better in public, particularly once an audience begins to respond.
If you have practiced your parts well and rehearsed to the point where you are ready for a public performance, it is usually just a case of "letting go" and becoming part of the music. The more you can do this, the more convincing your performance will be. Once you have played in public several times, it gets easier and easier.
