School of Rock | How to Overcome Stage Fright [Video]

The house manager pokes her head backstage. “You guys ready? You’ve got a great crowd tonight.” You clutch your guitar to your chest and nod. Except you don’t feel ready. You feel like running away. 

Or maybe you’re finally auditioning for The Voice. You’ve waited patiently in line for hours, and you’re next up. Only a minute ago, you were as cool as the proverbial cucumber, but now your breathing is speeding up, your heart is thumping, your stomach is churning and your palms are beginning to sweat. You feel a bit dizzy, and your legs are going numb. What’s going on?

You’ve got stage fright, also known as performance anxiety. And if you’re a musician—whether an instrumentalist or singer—you should know how to overcome stage fright so that if it ever strikes, you’ll be ready.

What Is Stage Fright?

So what is stage fright, exactly? Stage fright is a form of anxiety, and …