Self confidence

[Ant Wellington]

I have yet to watch that video. I didn't know the song. But I thought I did. I kept leaving the turn around off. Those guys were sharp enough to realize that I didn't know the sing and eventually started following my form(I think).

But I do remember the solo feeling good. But I'm never gonna' watch that video.

-aw

[lancimouspitt]

I'll never forget my first show. I was so nervous i wanted to run out the door,haha.
I think it's something you outgrow but theirs different degrees to building your confidence and overcoming stage fright and different ways it affects you.
For instance,the more people I play in front of the more comfortable i feel.
It's when the band played in a small bar and we where crammed in a corner that i got "that" feeling,as if to think "we're at their mercy here. Theirs no where to escape."... It can be quiet a profound experience when your in a band of 20 somethings and the general audience is older,tougher,and has seen more.
But once you win them over you can keep them their.

Yet that nervous feeling,the shaking hands and all eventually that faded with time,and now that i'm just getting back into a band after 5 years I discovered its grown back a little.

[denhou1974]

The same as with public speaking - Know your material before you get to the gig. The rest is all in your head.

If you don't believe in yourself then nobody else will either.

[randysmojo]

I've noticed a couple of things when I'm playing shows which range from a couple hundred to few thousand lately. If I can't solidly hear myself, I try to hold back and make mistakes l, or I'll be doing completely fine and into it, then make one little mistake and it stays on my mind and compromises the rest of my performance. Just like someone said earlier, it compounds. So what I try to do usually is if I make a mistake, I reset my mind and keep on. Also, with Aspergers Syndrome, I'm not real good with people directly, so I look just over the heads of the crowd to appear to be looking at them and interacting instead of just looking down at the floor or neck.

[@war]

Three additions to an already great thread:

One: In 'Effortless Mastery' Kenny Werner talks about how we create an idea in our minds that some terrible thing will happen if we make a mistake. He points out that in reality NOTHING truly terrible will happen. Nobody will die, nobody will hate you, war will not break out in the venue and cause global meltdown... In fact, I have found that since adopting this outlook the musicians I play with enjoy my attitude more because I am so much more relaxed on gigs. I have also tried to teach myself to make a 'happy sound' - like laughter - when I fluff something. This has helped me IMMENSELY as I feel like acknowledging the mistake in a relaxed manner helps me get in touch with the idea that the mistake wont end my existence and lets others know that I'm ok with it. DISCLAIMER: don't do this on a serious classical gig or similar. Laughing or shouting in the middle of a performance is sometimes not appropriate

Two: usually (unless they have hired you and you have no personal relationship with them), the musicians who you play with use you because they care about you and they dig your playing. Making a mistake every now and then wont change that.

Three: Col. Bruce Hampton says 'Don't take yourself seriously. Take what you do seriously. There is nothing more disgusting than a musician who takes himself too seriously.' AMEN!

[Ant Wellington]

I agree with Col. Bruce. I don't take myself seriously at all. But I'm very serious about what I do.

I haven't taken myself seriously in over 20 years. It's a good thing because I'm short, fat and bald!!!

I found that when I stopped taken myself seriously that no longer was I able to be offended by anyone. It's a great by-product.

peace,
anthony

[BuffaloBass]

Originally Posted by Ant Wellington

I haven't taken myself seriously in over 20 years. It's a good thing because I'm short, fat and bald!!!

peace,
anthony

Naw, naw naw, no way, thats my quote man. You cant steal it. Man, at least you "aint" ugly, white with scars Ant!

Isort of said this before and it sure aint easily taught unless you have some martial arts or zen buddism in your mix, but breath control, letting yourself act as a beacon for the music ( egoless consciousness), and literally ensuring the band PRACTICES THROUGH THE MISTAKES make a ton of difference.

Play for Mother Music first, the groove second, and the peeps will get theirs as icing on your bass cake. Lose YOU, it very well may help.

Being free from others judgements means you're also free from your own self imposed constraints. Dig?

I'm not in a band right now as life's priorities are swamping my bald ugly arse ( but hopefully beautiful soul) but I used to FLIP OUT during rehersals when the band stopped during a mistake. Once I didnt stop playing until the song was over to prove I was 100% a mistake nazi. PRACTICE RUNNING THROUGH THE MISTAKES!!!!! And as others have said DRILL DRILL DRILL!!!!!! Practice until you want to puke.

Oh, and I thank Ant, Vic and JJ for this, but if I miss a note or fumble on the board you will hear a THUMP in the right time slot. Yes, I thump time when I muck up notes. Guess what. The bandmates dont even notice the mistake.

Ghost notes are your best friend when you most need one!

PEACE y'all!

[phillybass101]

I was at a well known spot in Philly where al the heavy hitters play. Jamaaladen Tacuma was playing that night with my friend Webb Thomas on drums, and Patti Labelle's guitarist Richard Tucker. My wife opened her mouth bragging about my skills and they invited me to come up and sit in. I know I can play but once I got on stage I was so nervous my right leg was shaking uncontrollably. I told myself to ignore it and play through it anyway. Luckily they let me oick the song. I chose Sly and the family stones's Thank You. My leg kept shaking and I knew the audience couldn't tell and would think I was keeping time with my right leg. They even gave me a solo which I ended up killing. The crows was very responsive and clapped loudly when I had finished. I did a particulat triplet run down the neck and even Jamaal went Whooooooo!!! Long story short, be brave and don't fail to come through when an opportuity comes to you. Jamaal told me afterwards, "Walt you really play with conviction when you play".

[phillybass101]

I was at a well known spot in Philly where all the heavy hitters play. Jamaaladen Tacuma was playing that night with my friend Webb Thomas on drums, and Patti Labelle's guitarist Richard Tucker. My wife opened her mouth bragging about my skills and they invited me to come up and sit in. I know I can play but once I got on stage I was so nervous my right leg was shaking uncontrollably. I told myself to ignore it and play through it anyway. Luckily they let me pick the song. I chose Sly and the family stones's Thank You. My leg kept shaking and I knew the audience couldn't tell and would think I was keeping time with my right leg. They even gave me a solo which I ended up killing. The crowd was very responsive and clapped loudly when I finished. I did a particular triplet run down the neck and even Jamaal went Whooooooo!!! Long story short, be brave and don't fail to come through when an opportuity comes to you. Jamaal told me afterwards, "Walt you really play with conviction when you play". I just laughed and said Thank You!!

[phillybass101]

You guys got it wrong. I'm short fat and bald. LOL!!! Maybe we're onto something.

[Lichtaffen]

Do what my old teacher did to me: he made me sub for him with only 4 days to learn like 30 songs. He knew I wouldn't be able to play the whole gig without a mistake but made me do it anyways. He was right, I couldn't even tell you how many mistakes I made. I generally love playing music, but that night I couldn't wait to get off stage and pack up. Even the audience hated it and we got very few applauses.

When that excruciating experience was over, I thought to myself: my worst gig is over, now I can stop worrying about mistakes and enjoy playing music. Now at every difficult gig I think back to that night and realize "I won't be playing a gig that bad tonight."

[gre107]

Just play what you play. You are already a master. Play as if every note you play is the most beautiful note that you ever heard. Don't sweat it. Enjoy it. It's only music!

[sonofabass]

I haven't read through the whole thread so I don't lone if this has been mentioned but I think that key words are "intent" and "expectation".

I guy (Anthony) once told me (paraphrasing) "if i open the door for someone and they don't say 'thank you' and I get mad I have to ask my self if I opened the door to be kind or did I expect something (thank you) in return"

I had a similar conversation with Ed Friedland and a local ban leader in town.

The moment I stopped caring so much about who other people perceived me I starting feeling so free to just do whatever I do to the best of my current ability. I record myself at gigs and listen back a say "THIS OR THAT is what you know you need to work out".

There is my unsolicited 2 cents! Great to know you're all are out there doing "YOU"

[edfriedland]

"Mistakes.... I've made a few... but then again, too few to mention..." From "My Way" for those of you too young to recognize it.


Mistakes.... well, that's one of the reasons I chose to go into jazz instead of classical music! No mistakes allowed in classical! In jazz... there are no mistakes, only missed opportunities.

The first great advice I got about mistakes came from my HS orchestra conductor who said - "if you're going to make a mistake, make it good and loud!" Later, I got another perspective from Barry Green's great book "The Inner Game Of Music". He tells us that mistakes are going to happen, but if you give yourself the permission to make them, 1) they aren't so terrifying 2) they don't happen as often. Being afraid to make the mistake is worse than making one, because everything you play is coming from that place of hesitancy. Bass players need to play with authority, and whether or not you really FEEL secure in a tune... you have to play it like you are. As much as the notes you play are important, the INTENT behind them is equally critical.

[two fingers]

Open mic nights. And get him to some rehearsals with older bands to visit and play a couple tunes. They will be kind to him and help him get his footing.

[sonofabass]

I've had a guy sub a few theater shows for me. Good player. Better than he thinks but the md's always say "he plays like he's afraid to make a mistake". No bueno. I try to play like its the last time ill ever get to do it. I try... This is my goal.

[BuffaloBass]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

You guys got it wrong. I'm short fat and bald. LOL!!! Maybe we're onto something.

listen, my chrome lid is so polished my wife was talking about some sort of cream to take the shine off!

BTW, in your sceanrio philly, as being a non-ranked amatuer over here... even though I try and keep my "lord and master of my domain" stuff running all the time, if say Ant or Vic asked me to jump up on stage and do something....

I think I'd wet myself. Not because of the peeps, I can tune those out. But because of the players. You're a stronger human than I! ( I dig that its sort of spurious to even compare myself to you professional players).

Man alive I'd be praying to Mother Music until I started to sweat blood.

[phillybass101]

I try as much as I can to communicate with top players. They are human, willing to share and so far the one thing that's sticks out is that all say just be yourself and the rest will be ok. I recently went to a bass seminar here in Delaware. The star clinician liked what they heard when I played and has invited me to do a clinic for the Virgina Bass Forum. Had I been bashful, and just sat back this opportunity would not be there. Once I get this clinic under my belt I'm sure more will follow. Whenever I pick up my bass, I pick it up with the knowledge that an opportunity may arise and I have to be ready. And occasionalli I wipe down the shine on my head with alcohol or witch hazel. LOL!!!!!

[phillybass101]

Originally Posted by edfriedland

"Mistakes.... I've made a few... but then again, too few to mention..." From "My Way" for those of you too young to recognize it.


Mistakes.... well, that's one of the reasons I chose to go into jazz instead of classical music! No mistakes allowed in classical! In jazz... there are no mistakes, only missed opportunities.

The first great advice I got about mistakes came from my HS orchestra conductor who said - "if you're going to make a mistake, make it good and loud!" Later, I got another perspective from Barry Green's great book "The Inner Game Of Music". He tells us that mistakes are going to happen, but if you give yourself the permission to make them, 1) they aren't so terrifying 2) they don't happen as often. Being afraid to make the mistake is worse than making one, because everything you play is coming from that place of hesitancy. Bass players need to play with authority, and whether or not you really FEEL secure in a tune... you have to play it like you are. As much as the notes you play are important, the INTENT behind them is equally critical.

+1 on this. I'm not a well known entity but when I play, I play with authority. I am a bass player with an attitude. I come from a local culture of bassists where, man, when you play you got to be baddddd!!!! Philly born and raised.

[jmclearnon]

TBH i can't remember the first concert/gig i did because it was so long ago. When your younger i think it's slightly easier as you seem to have "no-fear!".

I find it depends what i am playing and who i am playing for. For example playing (jamming style) without music is sweet. With music the more you practice the easier it will become.(Doesn't mean you won't mess up).

However playing cello is a completely different matter.... Playing something which has NO space for any errors if stressful at times, the only way i can be sure to not cramp up is to practice it A LOT. In front of your friends and family, also helps.

TBH in auditions or orchestras and other things i generally just take a few deep breaths and embrace the nervousness, i can say i have only been able to do this by playing under pressure a lot and have been bollocked by a conductor.(this behavior is not really that beneficial in my opinion but i have gained from it, if i can't play the stuff perfectly i shouldn't turn up), luckily things go wrong live, but practicing and learning how to correct your mistakes makes a big difference.

For example if you get lost/can't play something if you can at least come in at the right time (recover yourself) when the hard passage is finished it gives you relief. At least when i mess up i can fit back in, i usually just laugh it off tbh, more like a massive internal "WHOOOP LOL, shouldn't have done that, oh well will get it right next time!".

Sorry for the rant but i feel practice make a MASSIVE difference..... if i get lost playing jazz at least i know what key i am in and can waffle until i know where i am...

J