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A lot of people want to pursue music as a hobby or a career, but not everyone sticks with it because they either lack opportunities to learn or don’t have the confidence to perform. Other people get into music because they’re after a prize. Battle of the bands and songwriting competitions happen all the time, and the winner does get not only a medal or trophy but also a cash prize and a shot at fame.
If you want to become a musician, and your main issue is that you lack confidence, here are hacks that might help you overcome your fear of performing.
Practice Constantly
Practice does not lead to perfection, but it does lead to progress, and that is good enough. Gradual improvement will help you become less self-conscious when you perform. You’ve probably noticed that you’ve become more comfortable playing a song that you’ve practiced a hundred times.
How or where you practice also has an impact on your confidence levels. If you practice in isolation all the time, you might not be prepared to face a live audience. Practice in different environments but most importantly at the venue where you’ll be playing.
Be Kind to Yourself
You’re not always going to get it right, so be patient with yourself. On your off days, be comforted by the fact that progress isn’t linear, but this doesn’t mean you’re back to square one. These are only minor setbacks that you can easily overcome.
Practice positive self-talk since how you mentally talk to yourself can affect your confidence as a musician. If you entertain negative and critical thoughts, this may lead to anxiety and self-defeating behavior, which can distract you from your performance.
Play to a Live Crowd
Practicing by yourself or with your band in a studio is one thing but playing to a live crowd is another. One way to boost your confidence is by slowly exposing yourself to an audience. Try inviting family and friends to an intimate gig where you play songs you’ve already mastered. Playing to a small crowd composed of people you know will help you overcome stage fright. Eventually, you will be more comfortable performing in a larger venue in front of a bigger crowd.
Get Feedback
It’s hard to be objective about your own work because you’re too attached or close to the situation. That’s why you must let other people assess what you did because it is only through feedback and constant practice that you get to improve your craft as a musician.
Having someone critique your work can be scary and uncomfortable. But it’s a good way to take stock of what is missing or lacking in your music, things that can only be noticed with fresh eyes. People who tell it like it is are people you should always have by your side to keep you on your toes.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
The music industry is tough. As a musician, you’re constantly putting yourself out there for people to listen to and criticize. Some comments might be helpful and constructive, while others are rude and vile.
That’s why it’s important for anyone starting a career in the industry to be surrounded by supportive and trustworthy people. When you second guess yourself, seek their presence, and they will help you remember all of your best parts. This validation from people you value will help boost your confidence to play and produce music.
Celebrate Small Wins
You’ve hit a key you weren’t able to reach before? Good job! You wrote a stanza for a song you’re planning to debut in a contest? You may even deserve to have a music medal as a reward. Congratulations! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with how big your goals are; the most important thing is to just start.
What’s the point of pursuing music if you don’t get to enjoy the struggle in between and the little victories that you achieve along the way? You haven’t reached your target yet, but you’ve somehow progressed. After all, big wins are built on tiny actions that accumulate over time.
Dress Comfortably
Image plays a big role in music. Your choice of clothes defines your style and genre of music. For instance, those in rock bands almost always wear jeans and a lot of black clothes. Your audience expects you to dress a certain way because it adds value to your performance.
But you don’t have to worry so much about how you look. People are hardwired to be more conscious of themselves than of other people. As long as you look presentable and feel comfortable with what you’re wearing, you’re good to go!
Exercise Regularly
It doesn’t only take confidence and nerves to perform in front of a crowd; it also takes stamina. Exercising helps improve the body’s energy levels to help sustain you throughout your entire setlist. If you also sing apart from playing an instrument, you may want to incorporate breathing exercises into your routine.
Working out has also been known to help the body produce endorphins, which are “feel-good” chemicals since they combat stress and pain. You’ll already feel the difference with one hour of exercise daily for a month.
Like any other art form, music is about passion and self-expression. But just having these doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be good at music. Learning music requires skill and tons of hard work. You will struggle along the way, and that is fine.
There will be moments when you will doubt your abilities, but with enough practice and exposure, you will slowly build the confidence to get up on stage and play to a crowd of eager people waiting for you to play for them. If you still feel nervous, the hack is to crack a smile since that always works.
