Sometimes I really wish I could sing in front of an audience

[rockymountaindem]

I was listening to a live album of Bruce Springsteen yesterday, and it came to my attention that he co-wrote the song "Because the Night". A Youtube search led me to this amazing performance by his creative collaborator, Patti Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz6YExufb1k

Now there's a performance that kinda burned the house down, IMHO. Watching that is pretty durn inspirational. However, I've got this feeling that if you're just up there singing like Smith is in that video, you're really up there naked with nothing to hide behind but your voice. Bruce at least has a guitar to play during instrumental breaks and to hang onto while he's singing. Unlike Patti, I wouldn't know what to do with my hands, for starters. But man, I wish I could do something like that, especially since it's something you can throw together on the spur of the moment if your pals know how to play guitar and such.

I've performed on piano in front of audiences before. I even won a piano competition one time (haven't entered one since, though). Still, I'm pretty jealous of singers. That's got to require some amazing self-confidence that I guess I just don't have.

[BuelahWitch]

1. It's not that difficult

I'm pretty introverted and I've done it many times.
You say you play piano. Can you play and sing at the same time? That would eliminate the need to do something with your hands. If you've got other accompaniment, do a song you know well and mimic what you've seen other singers do. Or maybe take a performance class.

[DainBramaged]

2. That Hong guy can't and he's famous!

[Dangerously Amused]

3. Don't let not knowing what to do with your hands

...keep you from the joy of singing! It's the same as when you speak: you concentrate on what you are saying, not on what your hands are doing, and the hand gestures come naturally.