I'm currently in the process of joining a band. I have no problem with small crowds but this band usually has crowds of a good 200 or so.
What advice can TBers give so I don't let my nerves get the better of me?

Don't care!
OK, a bit exaggerated, but really only half tongue-in-cheek.
Look, you are going to make mistakes, and unless you really blow it, only music snobs are going to really notice, or let it be more than a fleeting thought.
Go out and project yourself, your personality, and your music. You're the one out there doing it, so get out and enjoy it!
You'll do fine!
One trick I hear about is going out and pretending you're in your underwear. Makes me laugh.
;-)

the more you play the less nerves you'll get. of course this is easy since I've been playing and performing piano for 10 years.

so basically perform more. Although they'll never go away if it's a crowd you're unfamiliar with in a new place for instance.

The nervous rush is the best part! It's just like riding a roller coaster without the roller coaster!! You'll miss it when it's gone. (I do.)

You just need to realize that the majority of the audience has no clue about playing music. A large percentage of them don't pay you any attention, and some more of them just don't care.

Don't sweat it. Have fun. Do this about 20 times and you'll be an old pro!

Have a shot of Tequila just before you go on!

Have a shot of Tequila just before you go on!

Ewww, man, I'd barf if I did that ;) Jaeger for me... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm :bassist:

Know your parts cold. And I mean _cold_. To the point that you don't have to think about executing them. Then you can focus on performing and enjoying yourself.

1-2 beers.

I agree with SuperDuck. Not having to worry about your part helps a lot. Besides that, just remember what was said earlier about people not really knowing when you screw up (unless it\'s a major screw up).

I smoke a lot, and i smoke while i play to get rid of the nerves :rollno:

i'll prolly get flamed for my habits, but i'm sure that alcohol would impair your ability to play, more than anything else:p

listen to Superduck for he speaks wise words :)

competence breeds confidence

learn your material inside out, get to the point where you're way overqualified to play the material... if you can step up there knowing you can do what you need to do in your sleep/backwards/standing on your head, you'll still have the adrenaline flowing but it'll feel like excitement, not nervousness

it doesn't happen overnight though

p.s. you won't find confidence at the bottom of a bottle, that's stupid advice, but I assume it was said tongue in cheek :)

Have you played for larger crowds? I used to get a bit nervous, but it was only for small crowds, big crowds didn't bother me at all. Nowdays the only time I get nervous is if I don't feel the band or I know the song as well as we should. Own the songs... then you'll be very confident.

One trick I hear about is going out and pretending you're in your underwear.

Actually I thought it was pretending the audience was in their underwear

JKT

Little things can help you feel more comfortable in front of crowds. Deffinately feeling good about your parts and gear - you don't want to be worried about that second chorus or input jack that cuts out once in awhile so get your gear up to snuff. Pack your car and gig bag the night before so you don't suddenly find yourself without a strap or patch cable at the show. Wear comfortable clothes that you feel good in. I always wear boots when I play they make me feel a little more in control somehow. I also wear sunglasses for gigs that I'm particularly uncomfortable at, they give some sense of security.

Also remember that they way you are viewed by people in the audience is very different from how you view yourself. They give you like a milliion cool points just for being up there. Plus as the bass player they are only sorta looking at you, the singer and the guitar player get most of the attention, for me that's just fine.

Believe me, once you get that first one out of the way, you'll never get nervous again! It's probably anxiety you're feeling and not nerves. Sometimes I can't wait to get out on stage! Just can't get here fast enough!

Always remember this: The difference between a "good" musician, and a "great" musician is , a "great" musician can hide his mistakes better. Have a beer per set and have fun. 95% of the crowd cant hear a mistake anyway.

Always remember this: The difference between a "good" musician, and a "great" musician is , a "great" musician can hide his mistakes better. Have a beer per set and have fun. 95% of the crowd cant hear a mistake anyway.

Yeah this is pretty much what I think. Hell, I have a recording on which my fave bassist Peter Hook fluffs up completely! He just laughs them off.

PS I forgot to add what makes this crowd situation worse is that it's at my church and I know probably half the people watching me. :bawl:

PS I forgot to add what makes this crowd situation worse is that it's at my church and I know probably half the people watching me. :bawl:

TOTALLY

when playing for stangers, i'm not nerverse at all, i'm more concerned about making their money worth it.

...but in front of people I know....:eek:

As a side note, at my college, over 1000 chairs were lined up for a reception...Someday, I will have that big of a crowd:rolleyes:

I'm currently in the process of joining a band. I have no problem with small crowds but this band usually has crowds of a good 200 or so.
What advice can TBers give so I don't let my nerves get the better of me?

Remember that you're doing something the majority of your audience only wishes they could do.;)

Remember that you're doing something the majority of your audience only wishes they could do.;)

like...

lighting your guitarist's stratocaster on FIRE:D

I really don't get nerves that bad. The only time I have nerves is right before I go on, or right before one of my solos. Once I start playing though, I feel nothing but joy about playing. The one thing I've noticed though, is that I sweat like a pig, but that might jus be stagelights.


my advice: just try and chill. enjoy the music. Think about your groove. I've often composed brand new basslines on stage.

I don't think anyone can give you advice on nerves. Thats something you have to deal with yourself. For me after doing the first two gigs with my old band the nerves quickly subsided. I don't think alcohol is a good idea it might be too easy to depend on drinking to preform. Personally I don't drink when I'm doing musical things like playing.

Know your parts cold. And I mean _cold_. To the point that you don't have to think about executing them. Then you can focus on performing and enjoying yourself.

There it is! Learn your parts until they're in your bones...then you'll be confident enough to make them sound like you just invented them. That's what rock'n'roll is all about: Creating the impression that you're just playing off the top. Don't believe me? Watch footage of the Rolling Stones...or Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. They choreograph everything to create the illusion that they are being spontaneous.

Watch footage of the Rolling Stones...or Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. They choreograph everything to create the illusion that they are being spontaneous.

Pointing at a bandmate during a solo is a popular tactic....

but....

just don't point at eachother, otherwise, everyone will know something is wrong:rollno: