Think about why you felt or still feel embarrassed. Making mistakes is part of being human. If your anxiety stems from having unreasonable expectations, remember that you aren’t perfect. Laugh at yourself. [1] X Research source We may be in the age of humiliation[2] X Research source , but it only matters if you internalize it. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Being humble about your abilities will help you feel confident about what you can accomplish. Be responsible for your errors. If your embarrassment stems from a simple mistake, owning up to it is the first step towards being getting over it and being confident.
Don’t apologize for your singing voice. There is no true right or wrong voice. Singing, especially in church, is about the happiness and meaning the act brings you, not necessarily about how you sound. Concentrate on group singing. Your voice may blend better when singing with the congregation or the choir. Remain hopeful no matter how you sound. Use positive reinforcement and convince yourself you sound fine. Tell yourself, “It doesn’t matter what happens. I will persevere and sing with my heart. "
What makes singing powerful is the positive feelings it can bring. “Come let us sing for joy to the Lord,” Psalms 95:1. Remember that you are singing for a community, which can be both comforting and empowering. There is nothing but love and support in the congregation. Search for a song that conveys your feelings of love, worship, and faith. There are even some contemporary songs that have deep religious meanings.
Always do a proper warm-up before singing. It will help your voice to sound its best and will prevent potential injuries. An easy fix to performance anxiety while singing is to slow your breathing down. [5] X Research source Getting embarrassed can cause your breathing to become rapid and shallow, which can affect your voice. Improve your voice without lessons by working on scales. The melodic start of “Do Re Mi” is familiar to us all, and helps train ears to hear correct sounds regardless of the key.
Sing as often as you can; sing in the shower, sing in the car, sing around the house. Practice anything from humming your favorite commercial ditty to singing church hymns. Record and listen to yourself singing to gauge your pitch, technique, and overall sound. It can help you recognize the improvements you’ve made. Also, hearing your voice repeatedly played back can help you become more comfortable with how you sound. Restrict your singing time. Focus on practice sessions of 20 minutes per day. Practicing too long can cause undue stress on the vocal muscles and put you out of commission for an extended period. [6] X Research source
By singing in a group, you may feel less isolated and self-conscious than in singing individually. There is evidence that regular participation in group choral activity can greatly improve physical and mental health. [7] X Research source Try harmonizing. Your singing voice may not currently be strong enough individually, but as a complement to the primary melody your voice may resonate beautifully. [8] X Research source
Be sure your vocal coach diagnoses your vocal status. Not only do you both need to know your current abilities, but there also needs to be an expectation of the desired outcome. Do your research on voice coaches in your area to decide which option is best for you. There are even online vocal coaches if you can’t find someone perfect in your area. A voice coach can help, over time, make your voice sound the best it can be. They can’t make you sound like someone else or make you immediately sound amazing. Be patient and reasonable.
There may be methods to accentuate the positives in your voice. Perhaps longer stretches of low notes or a specifically timed vibrato would work well. Your voice might be better suited to specific songs. A specific hymn that fits your range could really display your natural abilities. Simple voice control could be achieved more effectively via proper volume, chin position, and jaw angle. [9] X Research source
Millions of people are affected by social phobias that often extend to anxiety and depression. The doctor may be able to help you if you are extremely self-conscious or worry excessively before singing. Treatment can potentially be psychotherapy, medication, or both. Social phobias may extend simply beyond your singing. Don’t let issue extend into other parts of your life.
