I have not yet performed in a band yet, nor have been in one.
But, I have been in a couple of church plays, and school stuff.
Sometimes, My legs will get all shaky, and I start to get really nervous.
Is anyone else like this, any help on what might prevent it or help me feel better in front of a large audience?

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I'm only a caveman, I don't understand these things...

just dont look at the audience look at the bass, the floor, the ceiling, look at the rest of the band, whatever works. I do all those especially when i look at the rest of the band. when i do i get this sudden rush of excitement and it keeps me playing. as a matter of fact my theatre class had a play the other day and im the main character so i just stared at the wall the whole time. but i guess i looked stupid doing that. --jr

When I was a teenager, the only thing that helped (as I was very shy then!) was to drink 6 pints of Cider (at least!)before each performance. The other members of the band had other substances that they used, but I preferred to stay legal - just about!

I would say that a better recommendation is to practice and know your stuff so much that you are confident that you won't make a mistake and in fact are keen to show others "what you can do". I know a fair number of Jazz performers who are very shy in their private life, but get them on a stage and they know their stuff so well, that they can't help coming out of themselves.

If you've got something to "give" to an audience, there is no reason to be frightened about this - they want to hear good stuff. If on the other hand you are just into "posing" and haven't really got anything to say musically, then I can see there might be a need for some artificial help!

That was one of Danko's best tunes

Seriously, better nervous than bored!
jc

[This message has been edited by Rockinjc (edited May 10, 2000).]

I agree with one of the previous posts "that there is no substitute for knowing your material" -That will give you TONS of confidence. But, just wait 'til some pretty girl starts "giving you the eye"--then you may find yourself having some difficulty keeping up with what your supposed to be doing--wow!

Competence is highly overrated! Don't wait until you are perfect to get out of the house. Perhaps you could just scale your gigs to small groups of people you know are supportive. I think it is more about momentum than perfection.

jc

Dude, you've got nothing to be afraid of!
All those people who are staring at you only WISH they could be in your shoes. Try to think about the positive aspects of being on stage: being envied by the audience, chicks, free beer, chicks, free beer, chicks, etc, etc, ad nauseum. The point is: relax and have fun!

I agree with the look around idea. I'd recommend wearing sunglasses so people think you are actually moving around and performing instead of seeing you scared.

Give it a try

Jim

Hey SS--
I've done the sunglasses thing. It really works. Another thing you could try is to find something in the back of the hall to look at. Like a clock or a window or anything. You will still be "looking" at them but you don't have to look at any specific person.

Chris A.

Yeah Chris,
In school right now, I'm learning about public speaking. And I was doing a speech, I would look at everyone, but not really. I was just looking at the wall, but acting as if I was looking at them. It seems to work.

Thanks for all the advice.

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I'm only a caveman, I don't understand these things...

Yeah, I was always the "look at the back wall" kind of performer. Helped me in theater in Jr. High and was never scared again.

I am also a big fan of "know thyself". Nothing worse than not knowing the change when it's a'barrelin' around the corner. But guess what? Most people don't notice when you goof, and those same people won't notice how deftly you pulled off that snappy pocket groove with the drummer during the guitar solo. (sigh)

Keep your peeps on the walls above their heads and also the forehead...eye contact screws me up because you sometimes get distracted by reading peoples reaction (re:chicks again). And remember: if you don't feel dorky, you're not. You're ON STAGE.

Playing at friends' partiers is always a great way to get your feet wet beforegoing out and playing in front of people who don't care about you. I thought I had my stage fright licked until I had my performance debut in front of a bunch of fellow music majors at the University. I have already broken the Ice and know what the stage feels like so it should all be easier with repetition. It always is.

Will C. http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/cool.gif

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You can't hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket!

I have only played 3 gigs but on the first one I was as nervous as hell! My legs and fingers(ahh) were shaking like crazy. My advise is to eat something(I eat like a sandwich or pizza). Also don't pay attention to anyone but your fellow band mates...chances are they'll will be looking at you and you will sound or look bad.

Or you could imagine the crowd in their underwear.... http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

i've probably played 300 gigs in my "career" - not that many i know, but still, i still get seriously jittery before we play everytime.

goes away by the time i put my bass on, though.



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john

strings! strings! i need more strings!

I'm not sure I'll ever beat the stage fright thingy. The grp I play with has found that if the first tune of the night is something that we've we have down cold that the jitters are usually gone before the first song is through. That same adrenlin that makes you nervous can make you a better performer if it's controlled. http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/eek.gif

Being an A* drama student I've gotten used to the whole stage thing...so I guess it all goes away as you get on stage more. When in doubt just don't look anywhere near the audience.
I'm a pretty shy guy IRL, but if I know my stuff and I get on stage then I know I can do it...I just don't get cocky. Because I tried that once, and screwed up real bad.

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Über Sheep

I don't really think that it matters how many gigs you've played. Knowing your material will definatley help a ton, but for me personally, I still puke before every live show. I know it sounds terrible,and most of the time it is, believe me!!. I'm not saying that its right for everyone, but hey, it works for me, and by the way, its not self enduced vomitin, its just that my nerves get the best of me. Really sux most of the time, but I deal with it. Good luck with the nerves thing, I think we all suffer in some form or another.

demon~just dont have a show everyday, or like more then one a day for awhile, cause like, your doctor would think you were balemic. just tell him that your diet was gigging

To be honest, I kind of like being a little nervous when I play -- part of the experience is to get a little excited, a little pumped up, and a little bit anxious. Part of the rush. As you get more experienced and more confident, you won't be quite so nervous -- I just hope you don't lose the feeling entirely.

jcadmus.

I agree. Kurt Cobain actually says in his suicide note, that one of the reasons he killed himself was because he never found any thrill in performing. It had simply turned into a rutine.

http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Never trust a man who doesn't drink - Winston Churchill



[This message has been edited by ~Loxley~ (edited June 16, 2000).]

The reason Kurt Cobain killed himself was clinical depression and heroin. About the first, I'm very sorry to see a musician who contributed a lot go. About the second, rest in pieces.

As Curt says "If I said it, it must be wrong!" that still get's me every time, hah.

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no!!! courtny killed kurt!! it was a murder!!!! ahhhhhhhhhh i cant believe you think it was sucide, she payed the freaken cops off. bunch of dirty cops!!! kurt was murderd!!!

when i played at my schools talent show i was a bit nervous but when your friends are out their shoutin at and screaming at you all the nervousness went away and your aggression takes over and you dont even pay attenion to the crowd. you just start bangin you head and hitting those notes and as soon as you know it your walkin off stage pumped to play again. thats what i felt playing my first and only gig. after i was done i wanted to play some more right after that. i loved it. just go in their and give all that you got. thats all i have to say.

i don't really have that problem, but i know what you mean... at my last gig, my lead guitarist said his knees were shaking like crazy during his solo in "yellow ledbetter."

ever heard the phrase "fake it till you make it?" i think that's the key... convince yourself that you're a wonderful bassist, that the audience loves you, and try to just have fun with it.

Here's the truth. Some musicians NEVER overcome stage fright. But that need not be the end of their music life. Some, if they are good enough, become studio musicians, never playing live gigs. Others just have jams with some like-minded musicians just for fun with no intention of ever playing "out." Some musicians who faced stage fright and found it too stressful are happy just to play their bass at home alone with the CD player.

I was plagued with stage fright that made me physically ill before every show. One thing I found, I liked playing in bigger bands. I'm definitely not the power trio or duet type. The more musicians the merrier for me. If you are finding stage fright debilitating, there are other ways to go as I have mentioned here. Jason Oldsted

Originally posted by JasonOldsted
Here's the truth. Some musicians NEVER overcome stage fright.
I was plagued with stage fright that made me physically ill before every show. One thing I found, I liked playing in bigger bands. I'm definitely not the power trio or duet type. The more musicians the merrier for me. If you are finding stage fright debilitating, there are other ways to go as I have mentioned here. Jason Oldsted

I can relate to this also. Whenever I was playing with a large group, I never had any problem with stage fright, but when I started doing solo recitals I looked like I was having a seizure, I would shake so bad! I finally learned that the shaking is caused by a rush of adrenaline caused by
nerves,or doubts, or whatever.The only way to really get over it is to keep getting up there, play for anyone who will listen,even if it's one on one. I also recommend reading "The inner game of Music" by Barry Green. It will give you some real insight into dealing with your "anti-self"On the other hand, don't get so relaxed that you become apathetic to the music. So get out there and fight, fight, fight,...Oops.. I mean Play, Play, Play....:)

I kinda agree with Ed (though perhaps not in quite the same situations): example: when everyone's dancing / skanking / moshing, etc. to the music I always feel uncomfortable, I always catch myself wishing that my bass was in my hands at those times.

I don't really get stage fright, I do get a little anxious however. I think that the reason I don't get scared is because I just tell myself that I'm doing the best I can, I've put in my time and if I mess up I mess up. Fortunitely, I play for a group of people (church-goers) that love just to hear the low notes that my bass puts out! Just kidding, they do know a bit about music, but they are supportive and would rather see me make mistakes than not play.

The first time my band played a show I was SO nervous. When we played the first song perfect some of the nervousness went away. But then the crowd started getting up and dancing and I realized, "Whoa! They like us!" I haven't had stage fright since then. I still get a little anxious before a show, but it is a good kind of anxious.

I've never had stage fright, but one of my favorite things about being a musician is that nervous excitement on the way to the gig. I'm just looking forward to that first note of the first song. Most of our gigs, we can't really do a sound check, because the crowd is already there when we are finally set up. We are one of the few bands who start our shows at the appointed time, TO THE SECOND. I just love that when I go to a concert, and the curtain goes up exactly on time. I do get a bit nervous when I'm running the sound from on stage. It's very difficult to concentrate on my playing while I'm listening to both the monitor mix and the mains for about the first three songs. How'd I get off on this stuff?

What I'm trying to say is it might help to channel your nervousness into positive anticipation before the gig.

What an interesting thread. I guess I'm just a born ham. Don't get between me and a stage, you could get hurt! There's nothing I enjoy more than playing before a live audience, the bigger the better. Okay there's one thing, but both my wife and I prefer not to be watched. I do sometimes get that pre-gig adreneline rush, but I really enjoy it. I guess performing can be like jumping into a swimming pool, at first it's a bit of a shock to the system, but it feels really great once you're in there. Come to think of it, so can my first favorite thing to do!!!

Yea man, I am the same way. I got involved in Drama my freshman year and havn't stoped. I will be directing my first show in October (All My Sons, FYI) so getting on and being on stage is no problem for me. I love it.


Rock on
Eric