How to Sing when You're Shy

Co-authored by Tanisha Hall

Last Updated: January 29, 2022 References Approved

Shyness can impede performing in public when you're just too afraid, nervous or uncertain to stand out there and bellow out a tune. Fortunately, there are ways to help you to cope and while it won't cure your nerves, that's just fine because these help to keep you in fine form for a top performance. This article discusses ways to deal with feeling shy and finding your own pathway onto stage and singing in front of others. It can be really hard but this article may help you if you are shy or have stage fright

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Improving your Confidence

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Sing at home alone when you know no one is around to listen. Ensure that the house free of any criticizing siblings that may tease you without reason. When alone, you'll be able to practice hitting those notes. Singing alone will also give you more confidence in your voice, and it will help warm you up to singing in front of other people once you're used to singing.^{[1]
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Choose music that suits you. Because you are shy, you are going to want to pick quieter, softer pieces instead of loud ones that require a big and booming voice. Go online and search for your style of music to get a song that is best for you.^{[2]
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3
Drink water half an hour before you start singing to prevent mucus from forming in your throat and causing difficulties to occur while you're singing. Water will help your voice to sound less scratchy and keeps it smooth. It also keeps your throat hydrated before singing so that you won't have a dry throat in the middle of a song.^{[3]
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- Avoid drinking any type of liquids that contain sugar or salt in them. Although you may believe that you're helping your throat keep hydrated when singing, you're actually making your throat scratchy. There is the danger of messing up your voice.^{[4]
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- This step also applies for any sugary and/or salty foods (for example, pizza or candy).
4
Work on confidence by doing a number of things such as drama, and speech, maybe even dancing. While you may not be interested in these activities, that's okay. A lot of people participate in plays to get more confidence. You don't have to have a big role, you just need to get used to speaking or now, singing, in front of others. Auditioning for a musical would be a great thing to do because you could be in the chorus. Chorus members don't sing alone. You also need to look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are a talented and fine person and that you rock!^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Singing with Others

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Join a choir. You never have to be solo in a choir unless you want to, so really this would be a great place to start in your case. Go ahead and have fun. Make new friends who also love to sing. You'd be surprised how many shy singers there are in choir.^{[6]
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Take voice lessons. It will be just you and a professional, no need to be afraid! Yes, they are expensive, but you can tell your parents that you will work for it. Make it a goal, something you really want. You can after all do anything if you put your mind to it!^{[7]
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Sing within a small group. Take the plunge and go ahead and sing within a small group of people. Once you can do this, you will be able to move on to the next stage.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Singing to Others by Yourself

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Try a video first. Once your confidence has reached a certain point in which you are now comfortable and familiar with your singing voice, take a video of you singing your favorite song and post it onto YouTube.^{[8]
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- Keep in mind that there are always going to be people you can't please, no matter how good your voice may be. Therefore, ignore the nasty, mean comments that attempt to put you down, for making you feel worthless and horrible is the goal of those bad comments. Instead, focus on the constructive ones that will help improve your voice and build your confidence.
2
Sing in front of family or friends. Letting your family know that you have a good voice can be helpful, and it'll start you off in being heard. Also, your family may be able to give you good advice and help you step by step. Once you've shown your family that you have a good voice, start singing in front of friends and get their opinion. That way, other people can hear your beautiful voice and your popularity may spread.
- You don't necessarily have to gather your family and friends around in the living room so that you can perform for them. Simply sing for no reason when you're doing chores around your family members or doing homework with your friends. However, choose the correct opportunities and avoid disturbing needed silence. The moment when your family and friends need to concentrate on work may not be the best time to show off your voice. Use your discernment wisely.
3
Sing for a larger audience. Congratulations! You've made it to the end of the goal. Now, keep your focus and be confident as you sing for more people. They will love you!
4
Step out on stage regularly and sing with confidence each time. Stay confident in yourself and your voice, no matter how mean or degrading other people may be towards you. Tell yourself that they're just jealous of your voice. As long as you know you have a good voice, you're all set to becoming a great singer! Remember that confidence is the important key to singing confidently and well. If you don't have confidence in yourself first, you won't be able to continue very far onto the stage. Never stop believing in yourself.^{[9]
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Try to act confident. If you are confident, you can do a beautiful job and you won't feel worried. Try to remember how proud you might be. Try to imagine a scene that you really like (such as going to the river side.)

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I get rid of my nerves before I go on stage to sing?

Tanisha Hall
Vocal Coach
Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall's current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award.

Tanisha Hall

Vocal Coach

Expert Answer

One of the things I've learned is that no matter how seasoned you are, almost every performer still gets some sort of nervousness before a performance. It’s the thing that never truly goes away. I feel like if it does go away, then that means your heart and soul really might not be in it anymore. There's a certain amount of nervousness that helps fuel the fire. It's about allowing that nervousness to be the combustion for your engine. Of course, the more you practice, the less intense that nervousness will be. It's okay if you make a mess out of yourself during your first performance. We've all been there. Try to make your early performances be in safe spaces where everything you have isn't on the line.
Question

I sing all the time when I'm alone, and I think I sound okay, but I'm afraid to sing in front of my friends. What if I can't really sing?

Community Answer

If they are really your friends, they won't judge you. If you can't really sing, wouldn't you rather hear it from your friends? If you can sing, your friends will tell you and you will gain confidence in yourself.
Question

I was singing in front of a friend outside and she told me I was really good at singing. Another woman was just hanging out and she told me I had to go on a talent show. I'm still not confident.

Community Answer

You won't succeed unless you believe you can. To that end, try trusting your friend and the lady. If it turns out you don't do so well at the show, there is always next time. Second guessing and beating yourself up never helps anything, but neither does acting cocky and being unaware. Try to find the perfect balance.

Warnings

Do not scream when singing, such as "Ahh". Try "Ooh" instead to avoid straining your vocal cords and harming your voice.

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Don't push yourself too long or hard because you could ruin your voice.

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Do not drink citrus products. Citrus can mess up your throat and voice.

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