A lot of people think of anxiety while singing as inevitable or at least as a hurdle they have to jump over. The truth is that we don't need to overcome anxiety, we need to embrace training and encourage relaxation.
Confidence is a combination of two factors: relaxation and preparedness.
Preparedness: perfect your warmup, record yourself singing, know that you have the technique to replicate your results over and over again. A lot of nerves are the rightful fear that you're not actually as prepared as you need to be. Practice is not the same as being prepared. Work smarter not harder. Being sure you have the technique to achieve the perfect performance is all about knowledge.
Relaxation: relaxation isn't something you achieve on the day of a performance. Every time you get nervous before performing, every time you even think nervously about a performance you are reinforcing fear in your mind. You are associating anxiety with performing, recording, maybe even singing in general.
Relaxation is a whole body experience. You may think relaxation means releasing the big muscles of the body but for a singer it's even more specific. We're thinking about being stacked on the spine, a slightly lowered larynx, a lengthened back of the neck, and a loose jaw.
In class we'll use gentle sounds to encourage a voice free from tension but if you're at home wondering where to start here's a simple 4 part exercise to try at home.
Step 1: Post-Workout humming
Connect the brain and body; associate making sound with your most relaxed state. That may mean singing after an intense workout, when you first wake up or while taking a hot bath. Start by humming, then singing gently and get as loud as you like (as long as you don't feel any pain in the throat).
Step 2: Sweaty and Mindful
Now try to get yourself into the same relaxed state in a shorter time frame (10-15 minute max). Try yoga, somatic movement, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais or any other movement sequence you know relaxes you. Alternatively try a massage. How relaxed can you get your feet, legs, torso, chest, arms, neck head? Once you’ve hit your relaxation point check in with your own body. What muscles do you actually need for stability and what can you let go of? Try to release every unnecessary muscle you can by directing your attention and breath to that area.
Step 3: Recreate at Will
Journal your experience after each attempt. Did it get easier one day and harder another? Why is that? Which exercise seemed to help, which hurt? Try to refrain from singing other than after these workouts/massages/meditations. After you've seen some improvement, try to replicate this experience without working out. Build in the association, "when you sing you relax, when you sing you relax."
Step 4: The Mantra
Create a mantra, a ritual or some other way that will help trigger your relaxation-singing association. This could be a few simple stretches, a 2 minute meditation or journaling - anything that will get you in the zone.
I hope you enjoyed the exercise and have a more relaxed, confident voice!