Everyone has fears, and for many, stage fright is a common one. I used to experience this fear intensely. My hands would sweat, my stomach would churn, and I’d worry about making even the slightest mistake while performing. However, a memorable joke from my professor after a lecture changed my perspective on stage fright forever.
He asked me, “Do you know what stage fright is?”
“Certainly,” I replied. “It’s when you go to play and your hands are sweaty, your stomach is sick, and you’re afraid to make the slightest mistake.”
“No,” he answered with a smile. “Stage fright is when you play and worry whether they will pay you for the concert or not!”
This story struck a chord with me, and it has stayed with me ever since. It made me realize that my fears were not as significant as I had made them out to be. Every time I felt anxious about performing, I remembered his words, and my fears seemed to vanish on their own.
I’ve learned that recognizing and understanding your fears is crucial in overcoming them. A useful technique that I’ve adopted involves verbalizing the worst-case scenario. By acknowledging that even the worst outcomes won’t lead to a catastrophe, I find myself feeling more at ease and capable of doing what I love —playing music in public.
This approach has been instrumental in my latest project, ‘FeelYourself‘. In this project, I allow myself to play whatever comes to mind in the moment, accepting that it might sound like a mistake. But upon reflection, I realize that these so-called “mistakes” are simply part of the creative process. All harmonies, whether they are traditionally beautiful or not, are subjective. They reflect my unique expression in that moment.
Stage fright may never fully disappear, but by embracing the uncertainties and focusing on the joy of creating music, I’ve learned to overcome it. And who knows? Maybe my story can help others face their fears and find their own path to confidence and joy.
DemiMusic 
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