Okuzeka
Music vocabulary · Performance and Practice

Stage fright

Meaning in music, with examples

/ˈsteɪdʒ fraɪt/nounCommon term

In music, stage fright means: Strong nervousness or fear before or during a performance, which can cause shaking hands, a dry mouth or memory slips.

In Turkish: sahne korkusu, sahne heyecanı, sahne kaygısı

How it is used

Musicians and teachers say someone 'has', 'gets', 'suffers from' or 'overcomes' stage fright. In conservatories and research, the more formal term is 'music performance anxiety'. Informally, people say 'I get nervous' or 'pre-show nerves'.

Example sentences

  1. Even after twenty years on stage, he still gets stage fright before big concerts.

  2. Slow breathing and good preparation helped her deal with stage fright at auditions.

Common collocations

  • get stage fright
  • suffer from stage fright
  • overcome stage fright
  • performance anxiety
  • pre-show nerves
  • gigAn informal word for a live performance by a musician or band, especially a paid one in a bar, club or at an event.
  • rehearsalA session in which musicians practise a piece or a show together before performing it for an audience.
  • practiceRegular time spent playing or singing on your own to improve your skills, learn new pieces and keep your technique in shape.
  • soloA section of music played or sung by one performer, often featured above the rest of the band, or a whole piece written for a single performer.
  • encoreAn extra song or piece performed at the end of a concert after the audience calls the performers back with applause.

More terms: Performance and Practice

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