Judy Ames KARAOKEMANIA
ARTICLE 11/98
Stage Fright and Related Performance Anxiety
Everyone has felt it at some time- the dreaded fear of being exposed, all eyes on YOU,
judging you, criticizing your looks, your clothes and even your right to be there. Stand
in the Spotlight and suddenly you’re a big red target! Raise your hand and volunteer
to express yourself and you feel your stomach sink, your heart pound, your throat go dry
and you are in the grips
of STAGE FRIGHT! Now why would anyone want to put themselves through such an ordeal on
purpose? In school, we can’t avoid the teachers’ eyes, demanding
“participation”. Then there’s the school recital program where you
had to wear that silly
Santa’s Elf costume. Singing in the choir was cool- exciting, but it’s a group-
no solos please!
So- why? When we were little kids everyone thought we were so cute. We sang and danced
and everyone clapped. We could do no wrong! But somewhere along the way, the message came
across that it was not so easy to get applause...we had to do more than be adorable- we
had to be great, socially acceptable, talented, without faults. For some of us, this seems
insurmountable and unattainable. Don’t risk criticism because the reward of
accomplishment is too unlikely. Other people attempt , but with a negative, hopeless
attitude, sometimes judging themselves harder than anyone else! Some of us were lucky- we
got enough encouragement and compliments to make the risk worthwhile. We also may have
learned the importance of trying and working towards a distant goal, even in the face of
fear and obstacles.
As a Karaoke host, I have the opportunity to deal with peoples’ fears and egos. If
I ask them “Would you like to sing?” they might say “Me? I can”t sing.
You must be kidding! Do you want to lose all your customers?” Some of these same
people may actually become the life of the party and really change their tune after a few
drinks! One of the things I really enjoy about being a Host is moving potential
singers past their fears and facilitating a successful singing experience where they
conquer fear and receive appreciation and applause. To know that in this one area they can
win and get attention while participating
in music is a benefit that brings people back to sing again and again. Many have opened up
in public this way both socially and creatively. Who knows how this experience may have
helped in the home or at work.
The Karaoke bar reminds me of the supermarket . There are so many different
products/voices. Some are packaged better, some have more uses, and some stand out either
on the top or bottom of the spectrum. The point is the variety and value of this
diversity- something for everyone. Even in contests, where we really are being judged, the
feeling of camaraderie still
can prevail as a unified attempt to be part of a successful event. Win or lose, we are all
winners just by being there to sing.
When those old feelings of Stage Fright hit us, remember that we are performing first
and foremost because we love singing and communicating ourselves to an audience who wishes
to know who we are and enjoy us. Breathe deeply and steadily and remind yourself that
music comes from the great universe and we are blessed to be able to sing. There will
always be someone
better/worse than you, but you are unique- no one can sound like you better than you- so
go for it. You have nothing to lose if you put out 100%. And when you give your all, with
love- you will surely get it back!
I wish you all the best of luck in conquering your fears and giving the best you can.
Judy Ames
More articles by Judy Ames
"Luck" | Smoking Ban | Musician or Magician | Song Categories | Stage Fright | Servers or Singers