live playing question

[lim3]

I've been playing in bands for a little over a year now and I have an on again, off again problem: Sometimes I'll play a show and I'll play loosely and perfectly(just like rehearsal), other times it feels like my hands are made of stone and I'm trying to fight to maintain speed, feel, etc. and it is extremely frustrating. I always warm-up prior to a show but again, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Any sympathizers/solutions?

[EBMatt]

Along with warming up, make sure you stretch out you hands, fingers, wrist, and forearm. Also drink lots of water prior to your show. It will help keep your muscles hydrated. Don't drink alot of brews before you go on either, that really doesn't help.

[vindy500]

are you having fun?

[lim3]

funny thing vindy (or not so funny) last night there were some scheduling issues that sort of f-ed things up...

[vindy500]

to me it seems like it would be a psychological thing, if youre not having so much fun or youre stressed you cant relax and get into it, just breathe remember its all for fun and have a blast!

[prince666]

Whenever I go play on rehearsals (getting ready to play our stuff live at the moment) I always take one beer, that helps to relax the body, and than just drink coke or water (or whatever non-alcoholic) and have fun! just relax, don't crack your fingers prior to playing, that at least gives me a very unpleasant feeling in my fingers, and just keep on breathing.

and, as vindy mentioned, it could be psychological, just think of it this way: as long as you know the songs, which you probably do, you don't have to worry and besides, about 80% of your audience won't know how the songs are supposed to be played on bass, so they will not even notice if you do something wrong!
Relax, don't worry and...lol...be happy!

steve

[lim3]

Interesting input, hopefully it is only a psychological hump because that should definitely be resolvable.

[aesir6]

I always have a good long sleep the day before. Then the next day I practice at the house before we set up and then I practice and stretch and all that good stuff before the show. I also drink plenty of water, not so much to make you pee during a gig. Then I just close my eyes and sort of invision how I want it to go, and then while the gig is actually happening I think about nothing else I have a clear mind and everything I usually stress about is totally forgotten. So i'm gonna go with the psychological aspect of this. Maybe something is actually stressing you out at times(or not) and making you tense up.

[tZer]

I agree with vindy and the psych. angle.

What I did to overcome inconsistent performance like you described was up the ante on my 'performance'. What I did was told myself that I was going to 'put on a show' no matter what. The way I did that was I made it a rule that I will always be moving in rhythm - whether it is just walking back and forth or 'dancing' (now I am no dancer - but what I do it move the way my basslines make me feel - bend the knees, stomp here and there, maybe a little jump) but the bottom line is I refused to just stand there and play. I also make it a point to look up and smile - make a connection with the crowd.

At first it was just something I did, but when I started doing it I found that people responded. I got more people laughing, dancing and having fun. And when people are having fun, I am having fun - it becomes a cycle.

Now I can't wait to play. Every performance is another opportunity to make that 'fun cycle' happen. It worked amazingly well for me in that I always have a good gig now. Even when there is a small crowd or schedule issues... it does not matter. Every song is a new change to have a great time!

So I would recommend forgetting about your playing - you already know how to do that. Start performing and make it your mission to have a great time on stage and to make your fun contageous.

Go for it!!

[prince666]

I totally agree on that one, I don't even stand still in the rehearsal room! (probably because I can't) but that calms the nerves for sure!

I wonder how I would react on a really small (<50) crowd though...:S

[tZer]

For me, the crowd size in literally irrelevant - now, don't get me wrong - when there is a packed house the fun quotient goes way up! But even if the room is empty I still have a great time reinventing ways to move for each song. I think it really help connect more deeply with the music.

But give me a packed house filled with people having a great time any day!

[PrimusNut]

Do something before you go on stage to get your adrenaline flowing. when your adrenaline is flowing your body can act much quicker thus giving you the speed in your hands that is needed. This may not be the issue, but i find when i get together and jam with some friends, my adrenaline gets going, and i play much, MUCh faster (especially when i have been drinking lol).

[Alan Vorse]

I try to soak my hands and forearms in warm water before hitting the stage. Learned that from seeing Stanley Jordan on TV.