Nerves During Performances and Auditions

[Beginner Bass]

I was at an audition for our local MS Region Orchestra, and while listening to the other players, the bitter truth hit me hard. I realized just how much nervousness had destroyed other people's auditions. I personally never got very nervous before playing. However, I realized that if people could at least take the edge off their nerves, they would be able to sound so much better.

So do you have any good solutions to stage fright? Maybe a pre-show routine that you use?

Thank you for any responses.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Once again, nothing beats jitters like massive amounts of blow chased with luke warm Jack and main-lining Black Tar Smack...that'll get'cha right..


Anyhow, pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you are doing...

[mikerophone]

i'll usually have one or two beers before playing. i think a little nervousness can help, at least in the kind of band i play in, but i need to make sure i'm not too tense.

[Randyt]

In all seriousness, make sure your hydrated...eat 2 hours before gig... go to washroom before hitting stage...couple deep breathes and you will be killing out there!!!

[taphappy]

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Anyhow, pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you are doing...

Probably exactly that in their cases. Avoid burritos.

I have it sometimes regardless. Problem is, the beer solution, while my playing stays perfectly fine, isn't a solution. Apparently I happily spin around a lot in one particular direction, which I discovered after watching video. I fuzzily remember this hampering the state of my cord about halfway through the set, then had to remind myself to start spinning the other way.

I love performing, but when it's my own material, my brain goes into turbo mode beforehand for whatever myriad reasons. While knowing your poop is fantastically helpful, things like full-body stretching beforehand, hydration is very important, and learning breathing techniques and meditation can help a bunch. What helped me for performances was considering it a stage or a performance, and treating it as an act.

Have a little one verse song that I wrote years ago that I sing under my breath, or off in a dark corner/bathroom before I have to sing in front of people. It helps, brings me back to center. Harmonies or even karaoke, anytime, cold. But when it's my lyrics, or a capella, I'm surprised I don't sound like I'm going through puberty all over again.

Sometimes I rattle off powers of two in my head, and go on auto-pilot.

*shrug*

[Fergie Fulton]

Nervousness is the brain doubting the capability to perform tasks. This comes from the belief that the task cannot be carried out, so the heart rate increases and the breathing becomes shallower, stomach becomes tense, sweating, nausea, this is anxiety with can lead to panic attacks and the induction of the "flight or fight" response.

There are many inducements of these conditions but the one you talk about is the realisation that you may not be "qualified" for the job. The brain over thinks the situation, puts doubt in the mind and the physical symptoms are a result of this "over thinking". So now the task is seen as a problem to just get over and done with and that shows in the performance of the task. What was a smooth easy task, now becomes laboured.
We see it best in public speaking, we can all speak, we an all put forward ideas and communicate with others, but put in the situation of say standing up in front of others at a wedding and speak, then we see all the characteristics mentioned is there is not confidence in carrying out the task.

To relive tension breathe deeper, stretch or walk and just smile or laugh about the situation, in other word relax about it. Do not put importance on the situation, do the opposite, remove the importance and that will remove the tension. Remember it is you own doubts that are exposing your real belief in you own ability.
In life, routine is a tension breaker. The fact you create a familiar feeling makes it a good feeling, it allows the brain to negate the "fear or flight" syndrome because of the feeling of being safe that a routine gives you. Word of warning, anxiety can be induced if the routine becomes so familiar that the absence of doing it, for what ever reason, becomes more important than any task it pre-empts.... superstition.

Shakespeare wrote
" our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

Budda says,
"all we are is a result of what we have thought"

In all, if we have belief, that is inner belief in our abilities then that gives us the best chance of success, being prepared and believing you deserve to be there is the physiological key to preventing/reducing the physical symptoms.
In all, if you have learned well you will perform well, if you believe you are prepared and know your abilities will see you though...they will.

[puddin tame]

gotta second mr fulton here.

If I start to get the nervousness, I just think of all the positive responses i've had to my playing and how I know i'm going to do well because i've put in the work. sometimes I do a breathing meditation sort of thing

[BassChuck]

The real trick is not to worry about getting rid of nervousness, but learning how to perform in spite of it. Be as prepared as you can be, concentrate on the task at hand. Never back away from a real life chance to play under these conditions.

[Denny Coon]

Take 1 shot of jager. Breathe slow intentionally. It will slow your heart. And always remember the reason your either auditioning or getting ready to play a gig is because you apparently believed in your ability enough to get you there in the first place. The shot will make you warm down to your toes like youve already been playing. Most imortantly, plugged in or not warm up with scales to get your muscle memory goin. 30 seconds into it you'll be fine

[somegeezer]

Seems to me like the more experience you have doing it, the better you'll become with confidence.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Seems to me like the more experience you have doing it, the better you'll become with confidence.

Well yes, but at getting past the first hurdle, but that "inner" voice is still going to betray you at some point if you are lacking.

Nervousness is good, anxiety is not. Nervousness means you understand the challenge in front of you, you are tingling to get on with it. The "flight or fight response" i mentioned is that very thing, face up or run.
Those that have anxiety will run or fail in the "fight" , those that have nervousness will "fight", but even if the fail they never lost the sight of giving their all.
In auditions the reality is "no not today", it is not never, its not forget it, it is simply, "not today".
So if that is the worst that can happen, then why be anxious?

[Beginner Bass]

Let's try clarifying, relieving these problems WITHOUT any potent substances required.

[okcrum]

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Seems to me like the more experience you have doing it, the better you'll become with confidence.

This, ultimately. The nervous factor falls off pretty fast with repetition. Steady work will finish it off.

[Rockmusician]

The best cure for nerves is preparation. Other than that, I usually have a couple of beers.

[Rudyboy98]

Best suggestion...practice solo with a few friends and family around you. Get used to them quietly watching you in concert. Concentrate on reading your piece. That way if you mess up you'll be in front of family and friends first.

Hopefully you don't stop in the middle of your recital. Even if you do crash...don't burn! Keep playing and stay in time...you'll be great!

[grifff]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Nervousness is the brain doubting the capability to perform tasks. This comes from the belief that the task cannot be carried out, so the heart rate increases and the breathing becomes shallower, stomach becomes tense, sweating, nausea, this is anxiety with can lead to panic attacks and the induction of the "flight or fight" response.

There are many inducements of these conditions but the one you talk about is the realisation that you may not be "qualified" for the job. The brain over thinks the situation, puts doubt in the mind and the physical symptoms are a result of this "over thinking". So now the task is seen as a problem to just get over and done with and that shows in the performance of the task. What was a smooth easy task, now becomes laboured.
We see it best in public speaking, we can all speak, we an all put forward ideas and communicate with others, but put in the situation of say standing up in front of others at a wedding and speak, then we see all the characteristics mentioned is there is not confidence in carrying out the task.

To relive tension breathe deeper, stretch or walk and just smile or laugh about the situation, in other word relax about it. Do not put importance on the situation, do the opposite, remove the importance and that will remove the tension. Remember it is you own doubts that are exposing your real belief in you own ability.
In life, routine is a tension breaker. The fact you create a familiar feeling makes it a good feeling, it allows the brain to negate the "fear or flight" syndrome because of the feeling of being safe that a routine gives you. Word of warning, anxiety can be induced if the routine becomes so familiar that the absence of doing it, for what ever reason, becomes more important than any task it pre-empts.... superstition.

Shakespeare wrote
" our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

Budda says,
"all we are is a result of what we have thought"

In all, if we have belief, that is inner belief in our abilities then that gives us the best chance of success, being prepared and believing you deserve to be there is the physiological key to preventing/reducing the physical symptoms.
In all, if you have learned well you will perform well, if you believe you are prepared and know your abilities will see you though...they will.

Excellent post, thank you.

[west*coast*bass]

I don't get nervous anymore...I've been doing this for a very long time. Some folks will do a shot or drink a beer, some will take a brisk walk outside before a performance. I for one think a little nervousness can help keep you on your toes.

The one big thing, and really THE most important thing is that you are ready. You know the material, your bass and your rig and you play what is needed for the song. If your skill set is not up to par for a particular song, keep it simple. You will be the only one knowing you're just playing the root (unless the bass line is an integral and recognizable part of the song), so it's not a problem to stay simple on some tunes.

One last thing - have fun. If the people around you see that you are playing with passion and enjoying yourself, they will enjoy themselves as well.

[gtaus]

Originally Posted by Beginner Bass

Let's try clarifying, relieving these problems WITHOUT any potent substances required.

I have never auditioned for an orchestra position. Maybe my experience playing in a rock band and getting over stage fright might not apply directly to you. So, take my suggestions in consideration of how different our venues might be. I have only been performing on stage for just over 3 years, and I still remember my earlier days quite well dealing with stage fright.

Like others have suggested, I drink plenty of water before, and during, our gigs. I also will stretch out if I feel tense for any reason. Make sure your mind and body are well rested so you can give it your best effort. I think that stuff would help anyone preparing to go on any stage.

It took me about a year and half performing on stage before I did not get nervous anymore. But I started out as a complete beginner on bass and had no performance experience on stage. As I got better in playing bass, and had more experience playing in front of people, everything worked itself out for me. No magic to it.