How did you all get over the fear of singing

Scott 74 · #1 07-18-2005, 09:33 AM

I'd love to learn how to sing and play at the same time, but I just have a huge fear of even doing chorus along with the lead singer. I mean I can't even open my mouth and take it serious cause I'm convinced I'll sound like complete crap....hell I can't even sing in fron of the wife!!

So how did you guyz get over your fear?? I guess it's just a confidence issue for me. Thx in advance!

hamand · #2 07-18-2005, 09:47 AM

If you are genuinely seeking your true voice then I implore you to read Patsy Rodenburg's book "The Right to Speak" and DO THE EXERCISES contained therein. Also watch her video "A Voice of your Own". Then find a facilitator who utilises her techniques and flows with her philosophy.

Patsy is an extremely gifted and talented voiceworker who had worked with thousands of singers, actors, artists, some extremely famous; others not yet. Her work is groundbreaking and powerful. This is not a dress rehearsal - this is life. Get on with it and speak from your balls/heart.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=3559

JESTER700 · #3 07-18-2005, 09:53 AM

Bob Dylan is loved my millions and made a good living. You need anything else? ;-)

damo7v · #4 07-18-2005, 10:27 AM

i used to sing in a band back in high school, but only because we had everything but a singer and no-one else was willing to try.

i overcame my fear of singing by wearing butt-less spandex outfits, performing questionable high-kicking karate routines, and playing suggestively with an oversized microphone.

no, wait... that's david lee roth.

Scott 74 · #5 07-18-2005, 10:39 AM

*LMAO* thx Damo I needed that!!

LonePhantom · #6 07-18-2005, 07:39 PM

The first gig I sung lead at was interstate so no one knew me. It went well so I was right to go back home and perform in front of people I would see all the time!

One month before I did that I would never have thought I would do it, I sung backing vocals in my previous band, but mostly hid in the background. All of a sudden that band broke up and myself and one of the other members started another band. We found a bass player, I wrote some songs and then realised I was the only one in a position to sing. I just did it and it went well.

Just do it, plus all the girls notice you when you sing!

ibaraki_gaijin · #7 07-18-2005, 10:23 PM

Heh,
I live in Japan a country where people do karaoke for 5 hours at a time sober..
you constantly have to sing in front of friends and co workers who see u everyday and are quite capable of making your life a misery if you suck as much as i do!
Still i think its compulsory and after 1 year out here i have little problem singing infront of anyone despite the fact that i make an a** of myself everytime!

btangel · #8 07-18-2005, 11:10 PM

haha I live in Taiwan and kareoke's popular here as well so I know what you're saying. :P

ZJH · #9 07-19-2005, 12:18 AM

Hmmm, when I was say, 4 or 5-years-old, I used to sing along to little Chinese children's songs on tape (quite funny watching the old video tapes my mom took of me, lol). Then when my parents threw me into Chinese school on Saturday mornings, sponsored by the Stockton Chinese Baptist Church, they also signed me up for the choir. Hell, back then, I probably sang alto. lol But anyway, I never really started singing stuff on my own until maybe after I left the Korn/Limp Bizkit phase (thank God), which was maybe a year or two ago. I just started singing along with some Iced Earth stuff, and it was all smooth sailin' from there. Just sing along with songs until you're comfortable with your own voice. That's basically how I did it.

guitvai1 · #10 07-19-2005, 01:21 AM

I think the first time I started singing in front of people was in my back yard after quite a few Keiths Ales (great Canadian brew from Nova Scotia). I had my twelve string out and was playing a few recognizable standards. People were throwing out requests but I found unless you take control of the song and sing it yourself no one else will join in. So after that I decided to learn a few good drinking tunes that I could easly pull off after a few pints. I actually recorded myself performing them to see if my voice sounded ok and I found it was nothing great but certainly not bad either. Certainly no worse than Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Willie Nelson and a host of others who've made a living with a guitar and their voice. Everyones voice is unique but that's what makes you recognizable. The more you practice by yourself and in front of people the better and more confident you'll be.

megadeth · #11 07-19-2005, 03:32 AM

my band helped me by turning off my mic. bastards.

screamndemon69 · #12 07-19-2005, 11:01 AM

$100 SM58
$50 boom mic stand
$30 mic cable
= most expensive pick holder i've ever seen ; )
just do it. the more you sing the more you'll get used to hearing your own voice and get over your fears. if it was easy - everybody would be a singer.
Dylan sang
Hendrix sang but hated his own voice - he had such a unique sound and you could feel his passion.

LonePhantom · #13 07-19-2005, 07:18 PM

Hendrix had an awesome voice, definitely agree there.

I hate my voice too - especially when I hear it recorded. I have had others say it sounds good though, and if other people like it it can't be that bad!

Drew · #14 07-21-2005, 11:36 AM

I'll worry about my "fear" of singing when I get over my complete inability to do so.

Eddie88 · #15 07-22-2005, 07:26 PM

After rehearsal (?) with my band, when we drive home, the whole bunch just sings out loud to the radio/cd. We don't really care if we miss or hit the tones, is just for fun. But I think that's a very good way to overcome your fear of singing.

Sing to the radio/cd when your alone in you car or something. Nobody is listening so just .. lose yourself :P

That's the best advice I can give you