Ep.72:How to Eliminate the Fear of Singing
This video is about how to eliminate the fear of singing. Don’t be frightened!
How to Eliminate the Fear of Singing
Fear is an emotion that protects us from physical danger. It is also a way we protect ourselves
from what seems like emotional danger.
Both are important because fear can help us be safe physically and emotionally. However,
taken to extremes, we can lock ourselves out of daily life. I’m told that billionaire
Howard Hughes became so afraid of germs he isolated himself from humanity and became
a recluse, incapacitated by fear. My grandfather never went on a commercial airplane because
he feared flying.
There is no physical danger in singing. It will not kill us if we fail. Audiences will
not kill us if we are off key, we break, forget our lyrics, or pull up our chest voice.
Sometimes the fear of emotional injury prevents us from trying to sing a solo in front of
an audience.
Singing represents a huge emotional risk for many of us. Here are some real fears that
pound their way into our thinking.
Fear of Personal Loss - loss of admiration of others, loss of the esteem and good will
of others, loss of image of perfection or excellence, loss of friends, loss of reputation,
loss of popularity or status. Fear of Emotional Pain - The pain of rejection,
loneliness, vulnerability, animosity, failure, fear of imperfection, embarrassment, insecurity.
Fear of Success - Fear of losing friends and family, fear of being a celebrity, fear of
money, fear of being better than others.
It’s not the fear of death stopping us. We are afraid of emotional suffering.
How to Eliminate the Fear of Emotional Suffering
Systematically confront each of your fears. Suppose you had a singing disaster. Ask what
is the absolute worst that can happen to you. For example: What is the worst that can happen
if I lose the admiration of others? Whose admiration specifically will I lose? How severe
will be my suffering? Do this with every fear that haunts you. You will discover your worst
fears are likely unfounded. If there is real emotional dangers, take the steps to remove
the dangers.
The desire to sing and perform must dominate your emotions. Listen to singers you love,
attend concerts, shows, performances. Constantly visualize yourself accomplishing your singing
dreams.
Set goals to eliminate singing weaknesses that cause you to doubt your abilities. For
example: “I will learn how to increase my upper range without straining, breaking, breathiness
or falsetto”. Or, “I will develop the ability to command the stage”. Identify
the top 5 goals which, when accomplished, will lead you to your goal. Set realistic
deadlines to achieve these goals.
Seek out and invest in experts to help you accomplish each goal. You will save time and
money in the long run. If you are unwilling to seek for help, it’s likely you are still
harboring fears you haven’t confronted.
Work at it. Love your work. Persist. You will win your dreams.
Personally, I think the greatest emotional suffering doesn’t occur because of failing.
The greatest suffering occurs by never trying at all. The greatest suffering occurs when
we give in to our fears.
There is real joy waiting for you if you will embrace vulnerability and allow others to
see your weaknesses and imperfections. This is when you make a real and personal connection
with others. This is where the joy is found.
There are many books to read to keep you motivated and inspired. One of my favorites is “Think
and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. It may be one of the greatest books ever written
on converting our dreams into reality. Here’s two of my favorite quotes from the book:
“The starting point of all achievement is desire”.
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve.”
In the final analysis, if you want it bad enough, there is nothing that can stand in
your way.
A great way to begin eliminating vocal weaknesses and gain new strengths is to discover your
vocal type. Your vocal type is not whether you are soprano, alto, tenor or bass. Your
vocal type is what you tend to do when you sing.
Visit PowerToSing.com and take the vocal test which I call the PowerTest. Take the quiz
and discover your vocal type. Then visit the Knowledge Center and watch the videos about
your vocal type.
Download the free exercises and start working on your voice. These exercises are designed
to help you begin improving your voice quickly.
I’m Chuck Gilmore with Power To Sing. You can sing higher with beauty, confidence and
power.
I’ll see you inside the next video.
Subtitles by the Amara.org community