Managing Stress When Singing

Managing stress when singing is one of the most difficult things for singers to learn. Because stress is almost impossible to avoid, singers must learn how to deal with it swiftly and effectively before it becomes an issue¹. However, I find this issue also very paradoxical because singing has the ability to relieve stress. It all depends on the type and place of singing.

When stress becomes an issue within a singer, it has almost immediate negative effects. The first and most devastating negative effect stress has on a singer is tension. Stress causes tension within the body, making muscles constrict and tighten. Unfortunately for singers, the muscles in the throat also constrict, reducing the amount of vocal and tonal resonance. When this occurs, vocal tone is altered and your singing comes out like a painful cry. Another devastating negative effect of stress is accelerated breathing. Since steady breath support is crucial for maintaining vocal control, stress can make you incredibly pitchy. If you like real life examples, just watch American Idol for a couple weeks. Most of the singers that make it to Hollywood aren't really that bad. However, when stress gets hold of them, you find them singing with acute pitch issues and tension. The ones that do the best are the ones that can manage stress well.

There are several ways to manage stress when singing. Below are just a few.

1) Practice, practice, practice! You would be surprised how much adequate practice can do to stress. When have have practiced thoroughly and are confident that you know the song forward, backword, and upside down, it is much easier to sing without the nagging thought of stress. In fact, I find that insufficient practice is one of the leading causes of stress when singing. Practicing deals with all the worry beforehand so you don't have to be stressed when it is time to shine.

2) Be confident! A lack of self confidence speaks volumes when singing. In this case, your actions will speak much louder than your words. It is the same idea for public speaking. People in general want you to succeed, and when you have this thought in mind, it is much easier to sing with confidence and assertiveness.

3) Get some rest! Getting a good night's rest is an excellent way to keep the stress monster from attacking you while you are singing. It allows you to have a clear mind, a firm resolve and a steady air. Sleep is a good thing - make sure you get enough of it!

Be sure to check out some more of my vocal tips and things here. Thanks for reading!

1. "Singing With Stress" Forever Singing