Ten ways to become a better performer! OK so you've practiced your song for weeks on end, working so hard to perfect every note.
You get up on stage with the intention to blow your audience away, but what happened? Why wasn't it the performance you imagined it to be, instead you left the stage feeling foolish and frustrated like something was missing? This is an extremely common occurrence for many performers but it doesn't have to be! Stage Presence is the key! And what is Stage Presence? It's the magic that keeps people watching an artist for hours, captivated by their every move! The definition of the word 'presence' itself says a lot, - "the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing.
This is something we all have the power to access within ourselves.
It is an area that can be developed and improved, however it's commonly missing in the singer's practice routine.
Developing your stage presence is a practice and art in its own right! It means learning how to fully let go and tell your story! It's taking your audience on a journey to another time and place! Here are 10 practices to becoming a better performer.
1.
Read the lyrics! Find out what they really mean to you.
Practice reading them out loud like poetry.
You need to understand the message and story you want to deliver to your audience.
2.
Visualize the performance! See every detail including the room layout, peoples faces, the lighting, stage etc.
Your mind won't know the different between reality and imagination and by the time you get to the stage, you'll feel like you've done it many times before.
3.
Create a ritual! Before you get on stage and at the start of each practice session, create a ritual that will condition your body and mind so that when you do it, you'll instantly feel calm, centered, confident and relaxed.
4.
Get in touch with the message! Once you've learnt the song, take away the lyrics, charts and notes.
Now stop thinking and start getting in touch with the message and feelings.
5.
Record yourself with a video camera.
You may feel like you're getting into the song, but when you look back on video you may look scared, tight and stiff as a brick.
6.
Prepare your introduction.
Plan what you're going to say! Introduce yourself and let the audience know and understand what the song really means to you.
7.
Get in touch with the emotions.
If you're having problems expressing a particular emotion in a song it may be an indication that you aren't in touch with that part of yourself.
If so, you may want to sit alone and really start feeling and focusing in on those emotions.
You may even find it to be very therapeutic.
8.
Plan your performance.
Have at least a rough plan written down and rehearsed with the details about what you are going to do with your body at certain moments in the song and practice your plan.
9.
Go Crazy! Let yourself go crazy in your bedroom or studio so you get comfortable letting go, once you get on stage you can calm it down.
By doing this you will become a lot looser and feel more comfortable moving around and letting go.
10.
Be yourself! Last of all stage presence is all about being comfortable in your own skin! Practice becoming absolutely free at expressing any emotion you want to communicate to your audience.
This will also help you become fully present in the moment and the song! Everyone has a voice and a story to share.
So what's your story, what's the message behind the story and how does it make you feel? The more in touch you are with this the more stage presence you will have.
Allow the world and audience to hear your real voice and what you have to say and they will be moved by your performance! Lynette.
S.
Mellado