Facial Expressions

[pianoplayer88]

Does anyone have any ideas for improving my facial expressions when I sing? I think I do fine in a room by myself but when I get in front of an audience I freeze up. So many people tell me I do fine, but I know that's not true. I even freeze up in front of my family! Can anyone help me boost my self-confidence?

[faulty_damper]

Alcohol, marijuana, and other substances that lower inhibition.  Best not to be combined all at once.  If so, dial 911 in advance for a paramedic and police.  Paramedic to revive you, police to arrest you.

[dnephi]

I also recommend Dutch apple pie.  Call a doctor for cholesterol, saturated fat, sugar, and possibly trans fat-related issues

[morningstar]

Alcohol, marijuana, and other substances that lower inhibition.  Best not to be combined all at once.  If so, dial 911 in advance for a paramedic and police.  Paramedic to revive you, police to arrest you.

I had the same problem and solved it by having 4 shots of Southern Comfort before performing...lol

[pianoplayer88]

Come on, I mean REAL ways of getting self-confidence.

Besides, I'm only 15. I can't drink, and I'll never drink.

Pie won't work either.

You obviously have nothing better to do.

[tds]

come on peeps. get real! poor, pp88.

oh n btw, ur sure u'll never drink? u'll miss alot

[pianoplayer88]

Yes, I'm absolutely positive I'll never drink. I could care less about it.

[moscheles001]

Are you really sure you have a problem with this? Other people have told you you're OK. Maybe you're just unsure of yourself. (I know it isn't right to put "just" in front of "unsure of yourself." It can be like saying, "You just have cancer.") Self-confidence problems can cause real--even permanent--problems, and should be taken seriously. If you do have a problem with your facial expressions, maybe you are reticent about really opening up to your audience; that affects a lot of performers.

Have you talked to your teacher about it? Maybe you're thinking too much about the audience and not enough about the composer and the song. Sometimes, if you consider singing as performing an obligation to the composer and the message he/she tried to convey in the song, you forget yourself enough to really communicate.

Other than that, I can only suggest relaxation exercises, yoga, something like that. The old "Imagine the audience naked" has never worked for me.

Anyway, I hope this helped a little.

[rc]

Most of my self-consciousness came from school - being around people who would jump at any opprotunity to make fun of someone.

If it's something you practice, I think it will eventually come out in front of an audience the more you perform.  Over time it's just natural to care less and less if someone should think negatively.

With the help of drugs and alcohol, you can do anything

[Bob]

Practice what you want.  Try using a mirror or a camera, still or video, to see yourself while practicing a performance. 

Practice performing by doing more performances

Maybe deal with mind issues, worrying about a performance.

[pianoplayer88]

Okay, let's forget facial expressions. What about stage presence? Like for a recital...My voice and piano teachers are husband and wife so they have a combined voice/piano recital. It's only once a year and I don't have anywhere else to perform.

And no alcohol or drugs can be involved. I'm only 15 and I wouldn't even think about touching that stuff. Gosh.

[Bob]

Do a search for getting over nerves.  Maybe that's it.  And there are lots of threads here about it. 

Just practice performing.  Imagine it.  Make sure you can play/sing the piece and you're comfortable with that.  Then don't care so much about what others think.  Most people in the audience at student recitals are just there to hear their own kid play and aren't really concerned about what others think.  They don't bite.  And a lot probably can't play the piano as well as those on stage.

[morningstar]

Come on, I mean REAL ways of getting self-confidence.
Besides, I'm only 15. I can't drink, and I'll never drink.
Pie won't work either.
You obviously have nothing better to do.

OUch. Yeah I don't drink either since starting church 2 months ago so fair enough. What about trying something to fool your brain into thinking the audience isn't there or isn't noticing you? I tried out a few ideas at school when doing speeches and it seemed to help.

[pianoplayer88]

I don't know what to do...Maybe I just need to perform in front of an audience more. I'm in a "band" and we might be performing in front of a church soon. But that doesn't help when I'm up there all alone at a recital. 

[concerto_love]

leet your memory take the control...

[Bob]

Fake it.  People won't know the difference.  And you might not eventually either.

[pianoplayer88]

I think it's just the amount of performing I do. If I performed more, I would have better stage presence. I just need LOTS of practice.