How can I learn to relax and be myself when I sing in public?

Take a few speech classes. It really helps with getting over your nerves while talking (or in your case singing) to a audience.

I try as hard as possible not to think about what I’m doing before I go up. It’s the pre-talk / sing jitters that get to you, but once you’re doing it, it will probably just flow from you.

I can’t sing and I get very nervous if I have to speak so I am not very much help. But I did read an article once how taking deep belly breaths (even if they sound funny) help because in a fight/flight situation (which the body will construe this as), the body resorts to short, shallow, fast breaths. I assume that the longer, slower breaths alert the body that the crisis is over and relaxes the body accordingly. I am sure there is a better medical explanation out there about how it works, but there is no harm in trying it.

Do it at every opportunity.

Read “The Inner Game of Music” by Barry Green. It is about the mental part of musical performance. And, (go @cwilbur!) do it at every opportunity.

When I started performing live I couldn´t look at the audience without getting nervous. I started using dark glasses so no one would notice I was closing my eyes! This helped me a lot. Eventually I felt more confident and started opening my eyes while using the dark glasses an one day I just got rid of the glasses. It might not be the best answer but it’s what helped me!! I hope this helps.

it really helped me when I took a singing class in college. I highly recommend it actually. See if there are any being offered at a college nearby you. Its well worth it as it will provide so many other skills (ie. To keep on singing when you make a mistake and no one will really care/ notice)

thanks all for your great help I really apreciate it all, toolsura4ya I have taken singing lessons for 3 years but there is always more to learn. Thanks again

How big was the class? Did you sing in front of them quite often?

it was a one on one class no other students. Tho recently I did go out of my comfort zone and went to karaoke in Vegas, it was really scary but I did it.