How to Overcome Practice Anxiety

If you’ve ever hesitated to practice singing because you were afraid someone might hear you, you are not alone.

Because we can’t make progress in our singing without practicing, VTS Coach Juliana and I sat down together to talk about it! We talked about how we can feel more comfortable singing while taking in consideration other people around you; including roommates, partners or neighbors.

We’ll share practical tips on how to feel more confident practicing at home. We’re also dissecting two absolutely wild Reddit stories about people trying to stop singers from practicing—one of them involves paying a child to sabotage a singer’s practice (yes, really).

If you’ve ever worried about disturbing people or felt embarrassed to sing when others are home, this post is for you.

Why Are Singers So Self-Conscious About Practicing?

“Singing is deeply, deeply personal” - Coach Juliana.

Unlike instruments, your voice is a part of you, which can make it feel vulnerable when others hear you. And let’s be honest—practicing doesn’t always sound good. That’s the point! You’re supposed to be working through difficult parts, making mistakes, and improving.

Here are some common reasons singers feel shy about practicing:

• Fear of Judgment – “What if people think I sound bad?”

• Not Wanting to Disturb Others – “I don’t want to be annoying.”

• Lack of Confidence – “I’m still figuring out my voice, and I don’t want anyone to hear my mistakes.”

• Past Negative Experiences – If someone has ever made a rude comment about your singing, that memory can stick with you.

If you’ve felt any of these things, you’re not alone. But if you never practice, you’ll never improve—so let’s talk about how to build confidence while you practice.

How to Practice Singing Without Feeling Embarrassed

First of, no one wants to hear this but.. No one cares! People are so in their own world that they might not even notice you singing. So try not to put a lot of pressure on how others perceive you!

Apartments have quiet hours for a reason.. so people can live their lives and feel at home. Once the quiet hours are in place, we want to be respectful of everyone else’s time and space.

Here are some tips for practicing:

✅ 1. Start With Low-Pressure Vocal Exercises Instead of jumping straight into full-out singing, start with warm-ups and exercises that feel less exposed. Lip trills, humming, and other SOVT exercises help you ease into singing without feeling like you’re putting on a performance.

✅ 2. Find Your Safe Practice Space

• Choose the right environment – A room where you feel comfortable and won’t be interrupted.

• Use background noise – Playing soft music or using a white noise machine can help mask your voice and make you feel less exposed.

• Try the pillow/cup trick – If you’re worried about volume, singing into a pillow or a plastic cup can muffle the sound and give you more confidence.

🚀 Want a step-by-step guide on practicing without fear?

Check out this free resource: How to Practice Quietly So No One Can Hear You

✅ 3. Practice at the Right Time If you live with other people, try to practice when they’re out, busy, or in another room. This can help ease the anxiety of singing around others while you build confidence. During non quiet hours of course!

✅ 4. Change Your Mindset: No One Cares as Much as You Think The truth is, most people aren’t paying as much attention as you think. And even if they do hear you, it’s not a big deal. Singing is a skill, just like playing an instrument or learning a language—you’re allowed to be a beginner.

✅ 5. Gradually Push Your Comfort Zone

• Start by practicing quietly in private.

• Then, sing softly when others are around.

• Eventually, work your way up to singing freely, no matter who’s nearby.

Your Space Matters!

We want to be able to feel safe and secure when it comes to exploring our voice. It’s not always easy and it might take some time to figure out how best to practice in order to achieve that!

Communication is always going to be the best way forward when it comes to other people around us.

If you have a neighbor or roommate and you’re scared they might hear or judge you, talk to them about it! Tell them at what time you’re going to be practicing so they know what to expect. You can ask if they can wear headphones or step out for a bit and that will give you an incentive to fully practice knowing you’re not going to be interrupted.

This also acts as accountability for yourself! If you’re telling someone you’ll be practicing, it’s gonna be much easier for you to actually practice because now it’s not just you who will notice if you’re showing up for yourself or not 😉

There’s also a few ways to make our homes more soundproof! Anything that absorbs sound waves help a lot. Rugs, fabrics, even wall panels that serve as decor! You can use your space in the right ways to help your practicing.

What Not to Do: Two Wild Reddit Stories About Singing Practice

Sometimes, people’s reactions to hearing someone practice are completely unhinged. Here are two Reddit stories that show exactly what NOT to do when dealing with practice anxiety.

Story #1: Someone Paid a Child to Stop Their Girlfriend From Singing

One Reddit user was so annoyed by his girlfriend’s singing that he literally paid the neighbor’s child to bang on the wall every time she practiced.

Let’s just take a moment to process that. Instead of having a conversation, this guy hired a child to sabotage her practice.

💡 Lesson: If you’re worried about disturbing others, communicate. Let your roommates or family members know when you plan to practice, or ask if there’s a time that works best for everyone.

Story #2: Boyfriends wants singing girlfriend to find somewhere else to sing

In another story, a singer’s partner is struggling to communicate practice hours and spaces. This leads to holding a grudge and overall discomfort.

💡 Lesson: Talking to your partner about how best to separate a space and at what times you can practice will save your relationship. If you’re worried about bothering others, just ask if there’s a time that works for both of you.

Final Thoughts: Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard

If you take anything away from this, it’s this: 🎤 Your voice deserves to be heard. You’ll never improve if you don’t practice, and you’re allowed to take up space and make noise while learning a skill.

😮‍💨 Want to dig deeper into this topic? Check out the conversation I had with VTS Coach Juliana here:

Prefer Listening To The Podcast On Your Favorite Platform? Listen Below.