this is going to sound really weird but I think I have a fear of mics. I discovered this a few weeks back when I had to use a mic in a performance I did with four friends (two other singers, a pianist and a drummer).
Up until then I had no idea that I had a fear of mics because I usually perform accapella and when i record in the studio I don't seem to have a problem. All I know is that when I performed it sounded good but there was no performance. I sang it practically perfectly but I looked dead, there was absolutely nothing coming from me.
At first I thought it was stage fright but that made no sense because I perform all the time, the only difference with this time was the fact that I had a mic, which I found weird because when I'm in the studio it's not an issue.
I don't understand what happened, does anyone have any ideas?
I think you should try buying yourself a really cheap microphone, and whenever you sing, practise with it. Even if it's not turned on - just to give you the feel of holding a microphone.
When you say 'you looked dead' (or something similar) do you mean that you were just standing there, and not moving? If this is the case; again, practise with a microphone whenever you sing, and try watching famous people singing - maybe try out some of their movements.
However I do stress, if you don't feel like moving when you hold a microphone - don't just move for the sake of it, otherwise it'll look fake. This is why practising moving on stage with a mic will help.
To be honest with you, I'm the complete opposite to you - so we can relate!!! I don't move at all when I sing without a mic!! When I have the mic in my hand, I feel safe and can move easier....but everyone's different!
Good luck with the mic - and don't worry about it; with a little practise with a mic I'm pretty sure you'll feel more comfortable.
Thank you Laura, I bet your advice is really going to help me, I will keep you posted with the lastest.
You made me feel like I'm not a total weirdo, most people I've spoken to about it have thought it's weird because like you they have the opposite problem to me, but I guess that's just because I've always performed accapella as I only just started taking singing lessons this year so the performances I used to do would be very spur of the moment with no time to get mics or anything, the musicians I work with are a bit random and crazy like that. We love to perform at any opportunity and work with whatever we've got.
Anyway I'm ranting again, but thanks again Laura!!!
searching...
