How I beat stage fright | Joe Kowan

[@DChunk]

just hearing him talk about the crowd at open mic got me anxious

[@jellykid5098]

same

[@eraldicurri7929]

Samee

[@davey306]

Ahahahahaha

[@playfitt7270]

Guys can anyone reply me i need to talk to anyone of u

[@OGTennyson]

​@@playfitt7270what's up? I know it's been 2yrs but...

[@medeyum]

I love that "I was able to take something that was blocking my progress, and turn it into something that was essential to my success."

[@flowerwolff-8017]

HE IS SOOOO BRAVE . Talking about stage fright while experiencing it.

[@avedic]

I write and record my own music...but for the longest time, I couldn't get on stage. I was terrified to even play for one person.
But...what changed everything was realizing that no one cares. No one in the audience is really judging you all that much anyway. They'd like to hear good music, sure....but they're not holding you to the high standard you hold yourself to. Once I realized this, I could let go and just have fun. THAT is the key. Have FUN yourself. If YOU have fun....the audience will too. That's more important than anything, including how well you play. If the audience sense you're having fun, they can't help but join in. But if the audience senses you'rs unsure of yourself....then they will feel unsure of you as well.

[@38beita]

Thank you so much, your phrases has helped me a lot, gracias

[@hawaiidispenser]

My case is weird... at times I'm very scared in front of a crowd, other times I'm comfortable. Sometimes I start off really nervous, but then get very relaxed halfway through. I hate that while my mind can say "Let's be brave and do this!", my body is betraying me with involuntary shaking or rapid heart rate. WTF?
Also, I don't buy the argument that nervousness helps you perform better. I can think and act much more clearly when I'm not nervous and thus give a more nuanced performance in acting, or a more articulate explanaion in a speech.

[@RutzMac]

I don't think Kowan meant that his nervousness helps him perform better, only that performing ABOUT his nervousness helps him relax and better connect with his audience.

[@enesmemedi8450]

hawaiidispenser same here

[@patricia8857]

Same here man!

[@bezalelthecreative8503]

Same here. 2 weeks ago at a business meeting, I shared a great idea to a group of 6. I couldn't get myself to speak up until the last half hour and when I finally did, I was shaking involuntarily as if the airconditioner was too cold.

[@MarianaGarciaGrijalva]

The same exact thing happens to me

[@screamingpiano]

Stage fright is character-building. That's what adds to the excitement of performance- the possibility and risk that it can all go wrong, yet when it comes together regardless it is breathtaking. Stage fright is what separates performers and non performers. It is always uncomfortable if not downright terrifying, but will this stop you from stepping up to the challenge each and every time?

[@milamilovic7124]

Yes, I couldn't agree more!

[@AuthorSherry1]

@@sianet7060 It is because when you feel
1.You are unprepared on your subject
2.You don't feel confident about influencing people about your idea.
3. People's energy drain you.
The answer to all this is practice and where do you most fumble when you speak in public.
Note down. Improve it.
It's an art. Continuous speaking on different platforms helps speaking synapses to strengthen in mind. It is all about more speaking when you face anxiety. Gradually it evades cos your mind follows you if you follow what you want.

[@Bagodonuts15]

This guy is awesome! He makes me want to get over my own fear of singing in public. It should also be said that he is a really good speaker for someone who is so nervous.

[@graceshrines]

I have a bizarre kind of stage fright. I've performed at festivals, in front of thousands of people and it hasn't scared me in the slightest. Small crowds are the worst for me. I suppose it's more intimate and you always run the risk of eye contact... it's so frustrating

[@vymioyt1864]

did you overcome it? My main problem is that face face eye contact singing 🤯

[@mikedoyle7300]

I think you should want to make eye contact. I think it's the least you can do for someone who shows up at your show. You never know a pretty girl might wink at you. BTW. I'm fearful also of performing. I guess I'm talking to us both here.

[@KenRoberts4KenTheRoad]

I went to see Kris Kristofferson perform --- just him, his guitar, and harmonica. He entertained us with song after song for over 90 minutes. But between one song and another he paused and said, "You'd think after doing this over 30 years I wouldn't be nervous"!

[@KenRoberts4KenTheRoad]

Bravo! Excellent! Thank you!!!

[@user-ld9qt6hr2j]

I think that every person has been afraid of the stage at least once. As for me, this feeling is difficult to overcome, my body literally protests and I completely freeze up. Thanks to Kowan for telling about his experience.

[@SpiritofSix]

Making sure to breathe and letting go of expectations is a good way to reduce anxiety and fear. Half the time we are thinking too much outside of ourselves, and so we hold our breaths and we try to make everything go according to some plan.. when in fact it is always unpredictable how things will turn out and we should just breathe and go with the flow.
And as a side note, I talk about important topics and I try to learn from everyone, so feel free to bring your opinions and thoughts so we can both grow. That is all.

[@prankfiles]

Eat well 2 hours before, not sooner!

[@dspaik]

he's adorable :)

[@danbernstein7081]

I enjoyed that. I had terrible stage fright for the longest time. Here's how I overcame it: I asked a friend in the same boat if he'd like to practice just one to one. We did that for a year. Soon we joined a Meetup group where we'd go and sing a song or two together until we felt comfortable to do them alone in this supportive group. A cafe opened in town and I asked the owner if I could play during the day (I'm semi retired). He said sure and I played once or twice a week for a year -- sometimes to the waitstaff in an empty cafe, sometimes to a handful of people, sometimes a larger group. Many times I'd want to turn my car around on the way there but I stuck to it. I hope you get something out of my experience. Oh, one more thing... find songs that you absolutely love and can lose yourself in and always find some that put a smile on your face because that smile shows up in your voice. Good luck!

[@vymioyt1864]

Really help full comment

[@Psychologist_Eugen_Fitzherbert]

this made me cry tears of joy and relief thank you

[@user-uz7qy3bb7k]

If I didn't know about Kowan's stage-fright monster I would never believe that a wave of anxiety washes him over every time he performs. He has done really cool job and his performance on TED is the best proof.

[@Meeshie304]

I'm working through the book, 'Self-Confidence Workbook- A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Improving Self-Esteem,' by Markway and Ampel, and it recommended this video. I'm glad it did, this was really helpful for the end of the second chapter :)

[@miranda2216]

Exact reason im here!!!😁

[@vymioyt1864]

How is the book 📕 is it worth reading?

[@ChunkyCheeseBurglar]

Heyyy same here!

[@hajar_assab3i]

Sammme

[@meahganjameyson3003]

Me too!

[@jules6564]

that was amazing. The force behind him. Damn, he's so fucking afraid and he just stands up and OWNS IT.

[@juliehubbard8307]

I just had my first adult stage performance experience a week ago and anxiety overcame my body then leaked into my vocals. I was forgetting the words to my songs which I practiced for four months prior to the night I went on stage. I am researching musician performance anxiety now to get to the root of it so that I can be better prepared for it next time I perform

[@vymioyt1864]

Did you find it ?
If you solve that problem plz explain it it would be a great help ❤

[@jasminebates4514]

I'm playing Andante Cantabile by Mozart at my school concert on Wednesday (on the flute). I know it's only a small thing but every time I play in front of my teacher, I start shaking and worrying a lot about if it goes wrong. This video will be in my mind for the next couple of days, thank you!

[@dylanfuller1874]

How did your performance go ah????

[@jasminebates4514]

Just saw this, sorry for not replying earlier! It went really well thank you :)

[@PBnJBand]

I always remember "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phillipians 4:13) I have literally seen it in my life. Jesus brought me from being a shy kid who couldn't sing a note, to where i feel comfortable on stage!! GOD IS GREAT!!

[@PBnJBand]

=)

[@josephBo]

Jesus didn't do that, nor did God. You did it yourself. Go ahead and be a christian all you want, but I don't understand people who say "I couldn't have done this without jesus christ", when atheists overcome their biggest battles without god or their belief in one as well. It's not like Atheists struggle any more than christians do

[@drew9719]

The Great Hawk god isn’t real

[@thepinkflamingo7842]

Yessss!!!!!

[@ernokanst]

Sooooo relatable. It can be a nightmare for me to even talk to someone I don’t know - let alone to perform on stage! Sometimes I feel sick and miserable and I can easily freeze up.

[@Poweredbyaim]

It's amazing how Joe Kowan confronts his stage fright. I can relate to the issue, and the way how he deal with it is contageous.

[@abhijain588]

He tackled his Problem with great ease.....and made it simpler for the audience to connect
.Great Work!!!

[@susanjervis3384]

This is great. I've seen Joe perform live at a local cafe and he has always been charming, funny, and seemingly comfortable. I love this video because it shows that he is HUMAN and there are so many people (like myself) who have stage fright and could use this advice. Thanks for your words, man! Very good video.
To those of you who have nothing nice to say, I have a feeling that you would never say anything that you type to someone's face. My, how tough you are behind your screen. We are all very impressed. Now go cry yourself to sleep tonight, like every other night, while wallowing in your cripplingly low self esteem. Life is beautiful when you're not a total a$$h0le.

[@chriscrosbymusic]

The biggest thing to remember is that almost everyone has fear of public performance whether it’s speaking, music, sports etc. If it’s unbearable and you need a last resort rescue, propanol helps and most doctors are okay prescribing it since it’s not addictive. Also, as strange as it sounds, taking regular, uncomfortable cold showers does something magical in the brain. I’m a very shy person and I perform in front of people all the time. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes brutal. Keep yourself busy and focused on other people as long as possible up until the moment. Trust yourself and be yourself. You will know what to do or say if the unforeseen arises, no matter how much you think about it beforehand.

[@truthmarshal6627]

I had terrible stage freight when I was in teens and twenties. No idea why. So at work I took an assignment that required lots of public speaking. I had to attend two weeks of public speaking training in an auditorium setting. More than a few attendees were so terrified that they became physically I’ll. Now I love the thrill and excitement of speaking and singing in front of people. It’s a rush to me.
Fear is a perfectly normal and actually a healthy thing. The key is controlling the fear, and moving forward anyway, not overcoming the fear. It’s called courage.

[@yahuchanonyakov]

Brilliant! This is going to help me overcome my incurable stage fright, thank you so much...and I have it so bad, I refused to do any live performances for years...😣

[@loganschexnayder1587]

Hey I'm doing research on musicians who deal with stage fright and I would love to hear how you've progressed sense you posted this.

[@andy4an]

so real.
so brave.

[@groznyentertainment]

Growing up in my hometown I never experienced stage fright and didn't know what stage fright was. I preformed in front of my class with 40+ without any issues. Until and only when I came to the United States and attended school, I lost confidence in myself as English was not my language (I didn't speak any English), so stage fright became my worst fear and nightmare that stayed with me for a while. I conclude that stage fright is related to how much you believe in yourself, and one way out is to practice and find out that you are not that bad in your performance; therefore gaining confidence back. Allah know best

[@vymioyt1864]

I also had somewhat similar experience

[@VideoNozoki]

I like this guy, he seems very nice. I also enjoyed his song.
But THIS is a TED talk???

[@guitaria66636]

yes?

[@ClaudeHaggerty]

Hello Joe:
Many Entertainers will fail in their attempt to be a full time entertainer simply because they cannot overcome the fear of being on stage.
Your presentation is not only very entertaining but also great encouragement for Entertainers to go out and overcome their fear of being on stage.
I would be very interested in interviewing you one day as part of my Entertainer Survivor Course video series.

[@D00NBU66Y]

To sum it up - he overcame stage fright of playing songs in front of people by repeatedly going on stage and playing songs in front of people. Then he plays a song.
My anxiety was hoping to hear a different method than be brave and just do it. C’mon related videos don’t let me down now...

[@littleripper312]

My panic attacks are so severe I can't even speak and almost pass out

[@rockbottomredemption3108]

Name Me too 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽🎻🎻🎻🎻😞😞😞🐸🐸🐸

[@mikedoyle7300]

I think if you are prepared well rehearsed, say a prayer before hand and leave it in God's hands and have fun. Treat the audience like friends who came over to see you. Be thankful that they came. Try to look forward to showcasing your talents. I'm not sure if that would help but I hope so.

[@PreTeeGyal]

I didn't want that to end! Loved it! Honesty is the best policy here! 💪🏾

[@TheCrazyAndTheCrazier]

I have my first solo viola performance at a summer University program in front of hundreds of people. This helped

[@mystical_maverick_morgan2375]

I'm getting ready to preform a ceremony and watched this for advice. I loved it ❤️❤️ song was beautiful 😍🎶

[@BearWindAppleyard]

That's just incredibly brave, wish I had guts like that.

[@DavidHopkins-ChuckleChops]

What a tremendous achievement! Very inspiring - thank you!

[@MrKickass101010]

My advise: dont be afraid to fail. Because that fear creates the stress.

[@G3ntlem4niac]

Because that's what every singer-songwriter dreams about when they start pursuing this path ..... he didn't overcame his anxiety , he succumbed to it and now he's stuck in his little square playing little funny songs about his anxiety on stage , i don't want to be mean or anything but this is bullshit

[@ExterminationVideos]

I think you're actually wrong, in fact a lot of people do overcome stage freight by... simply not taking it so seriously.

[@RustyNord]

I play on the worship band for my church, you think I succumbed to stage fright? No, I got over it. And also, you can't really put your opinion of what you think happened on others because obviously you aren't them. They've experienced things you haven't.

[@426Samuel]

There's no such thing as stage fright. There's only a lack of confidence in yourself and what ever it is you happen to be doing up there on stage. Your ego is what stops you from being able (ie confidence) to speak sing or what ever. If you believe in yourself that is the first step you must take. The second step of course is having a talent that others believe is a talent.

[@kevinjoneil]

i know Joe...you must be talking bout yer fuckin shadow cuz that aint him yer describing...most likely its whats in yer own diaper sweetheart an you know where to dump that...

[@G3ntlem4niac]

Aaron Adkins i wasn't saying that , what i meant was that you can only go so far using Joe's method , it's a nifty little trick , it helps but sooner or later you're going to have to face that fear directly

[@meddiegoyette8402]

Excellent. I loved this video. And maybe I will still have to work on this irrational stage fright thing I have but I feel better knowing I am not alone with this problem. Well done message and thank you.

[@nnnty333]

Thanks Joe. I am very inspired by your lecture.

[@alienweirdo8337]

"Irrational fear"? There's absolutely nothing irrational about stage fright. There's a real possibility that you'll get nervous and give a terrible impression of yourself on many people.

[@Toastmaster_5000]

i'd say most people are nervous when on stage, but feeling actual fear is not the same thing. i'm an introvert, but i could stand in front of a crowd of hundreds of people and do an act or speak to them. my legs will be shaking and my voice could start cracking, but i can finish my goal. joe's fear is crippling, and that's what makes it "irrational". but in the end, the real irrationality is having no worry at all when going on stage.

[@coerce6]

Peter Schmidt I think it's very rational to go on stage without anxiety. The anxiety is an obstacle for your purpose to get across, and that's the ONLY thing anxiety is doing for you, which is why stage fright is irrational. Only thing it serves to do is hinder your objective.

[@frogery]

So what if you make a bad impression? You're not under any harm. It's totally irrational.

[@joeygilbert4]

I agree alien. I think irrational is the wrong word because there is definitely a rational reason to be afraid. but it is silly I will say that. Silly but also very scary when considering how easy it is to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone and the effect that has on someone who is emotionally challenged i will say is very scary.

[@joeygilbert4]

Joey Gilbert
it hurts your soul to be rejected. To be stronger then rejection is too say I am singing for a purpose....to help others.

[@Slashtap]

charming

[@an-ancmjadulco201]

am i the only one that gets nervous when you do a elecution/speech infront of your classmates because you know all of them?

[@vymioyt1864]

Me to brother 🙂❤

[@dogtag58]

I have stage fright. I do my best to be well prepared and know at the end I will always feel good that I gave the audience my all. I may have not been perfect, but I think most of them didn't notice a minor mistakes, I just play on like it was meant to sound that way.

[@jayala1992]

Being a person that can sing well, I can say that stage fright is perfectly normal. You would be not normal if stepping out of your comfort zone didn’t affect you. But there are several ways to combat stage fright. The more you prepared and practice and the more you become comfortably uncomfortable you are, you’ll do great. It’s never easy stepping out from your comfort zone, but the more you put in, the more you’re gonna get out.

[@bjwmorgan]

you nailed it brother, thanks for posting this, cheers

[@EffyMa]

Yesterday night, I had my second guitar concert and it went awful.... I had been studying for weeks but as soon as I sat in front of the crowd, my hands started shaking... I couldn't control it. I don't think I will too.

[@vymioyt1864]

Did you over come it?

[@EffyMa]

​@@vymioyt1864 Yes, I did! So many years of exercise eventually brought artistic stability and confidence, which I manage to maintain during live events.

[@vymioyt1864]

Thank you for answering ❤

[@RunnerDrew1]

It is good to remember that stage fright never really goes away. What an honest person!

[@lisaosbourne-eden4576]

Wow, I loved this Gus transparency and honesty. He was so funny too, he was an awesome comedian!!

[@kevinjoneil]

i always thought of the audience as the performers an i was just there to watch ,,,nice job Joe..!!

[@flowerwolff-8017]

I’m comfortable speaking in public but performing is just a whole other monster I have to learn to overcome

[@itscrazytrevor]

How I beat stage fright? Bata Blockers!

[@LittleBillysWorld]

You did a great job Joe! Making people laugh is not easy either. Now for a plug: Toastmasters is a great way to overcome the fear of public speaking. Lots of groups around the world with lots of topics, and I'm sure most groups would love a folk singer to show up.

[@AmyV142]

The problem comes up when it’s ages beforehand and I’m crying because I hate the idea of using my voice in front of people but I have no idea why because there shouldn’t be anything to worry about and I’ve danced to a crowd a lot of times so I should be fine but I’m still so scared

[@taragozay]

I have a similar problem, it’s easier for me dancing in front of people than talking! Def not alone! ❤

[@user-zf4df5kp5i]

Brilliant advice! I'm extremely nervous about my first comedy stand-up performance and you know what, I'm gonna make a bit about it :D Thanks bro!

[@aimeerangel7071]

Since I was little I always wanted to have the best notes, sosince the I have been rather strict with myself. Nowdays I feel so panicked and dissapointed with myself if I consider that I'm not studying as much as it should. This have make me feel so stressed, but I'm trying to deal with this challenge, to reach this I sarted to socialize more and enjoy my enturn without anything in my heath, because it always help me feel relaxed and comfortable.

[@AUser0000001]

This made feel so much better!!!

[@joeygilbert4]

really joe you are great

[@erimator17]

I’ve never related to a Ted talk so much in my life

[@ThenameisAntti]

Joe's voice and the melodies he sings remind me a bit of Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade and Moonface. He sort of still has the vibe of an uncomfortable performer in his voice and it works for his music! :)

[@erwindertorres]

Aww I love him!!

[@FreeFromWar]

200,000 years of evolution and we still have that fright for a reason. In our tribal days, sharing ideas or talent in front of an audience that disliked it would mean being ostracized from the tribe which was equal to or worse than death!

[@Archimagus]

Really good speaker. Even with the stage fright.

[@gooddaysharma1876]

Great effort successfully done at serious manifestation of communication

[@Yash42189]

Im gonna perform in around five hours as a bass player in a band. We will play two songs. Im super anxious, ive been anxious for the past couple of days actually.

[@ariella2658]

Ohh, let me know how it went! I hope anxiety didn't hit you

[@ActualCouchPotato]

This is great!

[@cheyennelabadie2661]

you just helped me more then you know. i have try tomorrow and thank you so so much

[@MrRetrogamingBard]

An enjoyable watch. Great talk. :)

[@piusone]

You go Joe!

[@tomassoantonio]

I don’t have a problem singing when no one is around, but I do have a problem of talking to myself when no one is around.

[@Mariavega191]

I really want this song is there a lyric video?!? Lol

[@layneelkins2013]

Good speech

[@cancelled8636]

i love him so so MUCH

[@SilverTLyneng]

😁👌 Well Done... A humorous and honest performance x

[@MihoubiAssala]

You are amazing!!

[@sammrema4526]

The guy is really a good singer. i didn't expect

[@noorvanwijngaarden9384]

i need to sing for the whole klas next sunday i am so scared .but this vedeo kinda helps me

[@hansschundler225]

This is hilarious. Great Job.

[@Justin-vx3up]

This is such great info! Thank you!!

[@user-xe3ik1so5p]

Buena presentación me encanta mucho😁😁

[@DenisRoss]

Is it only me here because I'm learning English language and this video is part of my homework? ))

[@sevenzlovez3989]

You're not alone :))

[@kaceesavage]

This didn’t help me with stage fright but I loved it anyway.

[@Dan-fq7db]

So, I've got a presentation for a biology experiment. I guess I should just get up there and sing a song about how nervous I am. Then I'll get an A on it.

[@riteshshukla1709]

Great one really

[@gavinharper9044]

I found when i went to my first blues jam i felt like i was going to die but i decided that the best way to get over to jump off at the deep end and just go for it. And it went awful. Like really bad. But. I went back the next week. And the next. And thats the thing it wont just go away u have to practice. Hope this helps somebody

[@thisission]

It's very inspiring.

[@numendomini]

very interesting but not very helpful...

[@trollponch]

I have to disagree. He just gave you the live example of how to canalize your anxiety in stage as a musician trough a song and turn it into a funny, healthy entertainment.
He realized that instead of having the audience making fun of his insecurities, they can have fun ALONG with him by empathizing with him it trough a song. Its genius! Not only did the song made a great job letting the fear and anxiety out his sistem, but also got the audience into the right mood so he stops generating such feelings by imagining what they could be thiking, because now he knows for sure what and the audience thinks and feels after the song. It just works both ways, its awesome!

[@beirirangu]

I wonder how he'd do with the musical robot from the previous ted talk

[@koalazzang0225]

i dont mean every koreans like that, but i think korean and foreign netizens are totally different. when i see korean netizens comments, they are busy to attack someone. They also fight or argue each other. But foreigners not! actually im a korean but i just wanted to critic the netizens of korea.

[@wiggsan]

What a great song!!!!!!!!!!! Helps me....

[@xaviergalarza8]

naked imagination helps me when I let the anxiety fear get to me.

[@hackdown3]

He's got some neat ukulele skills.

[@fishmcctf]

There's a thing we do in one of my classes where speak about a topic given to us for thirty seconds. So one girl went up and did it and after we say what they did good and bad. So one person said that she was nervous and I thought every other person went up there was nervous. REALLY? she was "nervous" duh.

[@ttaakkeellaa]

That’s an awesome Ted Song 😂

[@loveforeignaccents]

Well, good for him, but I was kind of hoping it would help me with how frightened I get around a crush....

[@sportycalvin4552]

this was cool. gj Joe !

[@JourneyWithHavi]

I haven't performed in so long. Starting again is mildly terrifying. Lol

[@victoryho-sangtv]

HE IS GREAT!