First real gig... Oh god.

Thunderbird91 · #1 03-03-2006, 03:16 PM

Well in about a week we will performing at a little shindig near my school. Its like a mock battle of the bands. We are only playing one song but I am still ready to crap my pants. I am not good in front of crowds. I had no idea it was so soon. We don't even know what song were playing yet. I'm nervous already. Any tips?

EDIT: We just had try outs today and we kicked butt. I'm about 90% sure we made it but I won't know for sure until Thursday. Also learned we will play 5 songs. YIKES!

velvetkevorkian · #2 03-03-2006, 03:45 PM

Just do it. The only way to get better at doing it is to do it. By the third or fourth gig, you'll feel old skool. Not much help for the first, I know, sorry... but good luck.

Marcus · #3 03-03-2006, 04:12 PM

Inhale slowly through your nose, and exhale just as slowly.

Usually before a gig, if this helps, I tend not to eat or drink anything. The meal after a show usually is satisfying no matter what it is, giving me something to look forward to.

Lastly... have fun, and good luck.

Minger · #4 03-03-2006, 05:04 PM

Hehe, this is gonna be me in a few weeks/months - Battle of the Bands and Band Night.

Just have fun, you'll want to remember it later on...and if you screw up, just keep going; the audience probably doesnt know that its wrong

butterblood · #5 03-03-2006, 06:06 PM

Remember that deep down inside most of the audience wishes that they were on stage instead. Be proud to be up there playing and whatever happens DON"T STOP PLAYING!
One song will be over before you know it and you'll wish you were doing ten more. It only gets easier every time.

machine gewehr · #6 03-03-2006, 06:06 PM

Hey I remember someone saying "every one who's watching you there would love to be in your position." I don't know how but this might help.
Besides they are just like you,they want to have fun,you want to have fun,so have FUN!

Oh and another option may be to think everyone is naked

BassMan257 · #7 03-03-2006, 06:13 PM

yeah...

tips ive learned: dont try and pull any "moves" on your first gig-these look really cheezy if there done half-heartedly... especially if the rest of the group isn't doing them... I learned the hard way... lol... tapping your toes or stomping your foot is a safe move... just try and be relaxed...

Make sure to do the whole tuck in the cord bit... this is where instead of running the cord directly to the jack, you put it through your strap from behind and then put it in the jack... so standing on your cord and pulling it out wont be a problem...

also, try to keep your hands warm before you go on... it seems silly now, but basically before every gig my hands get cold... dont know if its cause im nervous or what... but it can dramatically effect your playing...

I would go with the not eating of anything, especially for your first gig... also, might want to make sure you go to the bathroom before you get on... that becomes rather annoying if your bladder decides you have to go right once you get up there....

the having fun bit is actually key... if you dont remember anything else, this is what you want to shoot for... also, dont try to be extremely serious... i mean, i dont know what kind of music your playing... but in what i play, looking/smiling at the other members of the band is a great thing to do... sometimes it makes the experiance much more enjoyable... especially if one is a chick... lol just kidding... but you catch my drift...

well anyway... i wish you good luck... if i think of anything else ill come back... hehe

butterblood · #8 03-03-2006, 06:16 PM

I don't know about the naked thing. I tried that at my first show when I was about 16 and the first person I caught eye contact with was my high school principal. I never looked at him the same again.

Brad Barker · #9 03-03-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterblood

I don't know about the naked thing. I tried that at my first show when I was about 16 and the first person I caught eye contact with was my high school principal. I never looked at him the same again.

machine gewehr · #10 03-03-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterblood

I don't know about the naked thing. I tried that at my first show when I was about 16 and the first person I caught eye contact with was my high school principal. I never looked at him the same again.

Oh boy,so unlucky of you.When I was writing that i was thinking "what if your parents are there too or the girl of your life?" and high school principal....oh man.....

**MAJOR METAL** · #11 03-03-2006, 06:42 PM

See if you can watch some live clips of your favorite bands and see how their bassist's deliver the goods live.

scottbass · #12 03-03-2006, 08:19 PM

Do you play with a pick? Then have several in easy reach. If your fingertips are too dry, rub them on your forehead or hair. If they're too greasy, rub them on your shirt. You're not playing alone, you're playing WITH your band mates, so don't forget to work with them the same way you do in rehearsal. If the crowd makes you nervous, pretend they're all watching the drummer and ignoring you. (It's really true, anyway!) Buckethead has been known to play offstage, but please don't be like him! And like the pice of advice said, DON'T STOP!

Good luck - you're gonna have a great time!

fookgub · #13 03-03-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbird91

Well in about a week we will performing at a little shindig near my school. Its like a mock battle of the bands. We are only playing one song but I am still ready to crap my pants. I am not good in front of crowds. I had no idea it was so soon. We don't even know what song were playing yet. I'm nervous already. Any tips?

You'll be fine. I had a lot of fun playing that stuff when I was in high school. We got to be a regular fixture at school functions. Don't worry, your friends will cheer you on, people you don't know will think you're cool, and chicks will totally dig you.

Munjibunga · #14 03-03-2006, 08:55 PM

First off, invest in some Depends.

The Golden Boy · #15 03-03-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMan257

yeah...

tips ive learned: dont try and pull any "moves" on your first gig-these look really cheezy if there done half-heartedly... especially if the rest of the group isn't doing them... I learned the hard way... lol... tapping your toes or stomping your foot is a safe move... just try and be relaxed...

Make sure to do the whole tuck in the cord bit... this is where instead of running the cord directly to the jack, you put it through your strap from behind and then put it in the jack... so standing on your cord and pulling it out wont be a problem...

also, try to keep your hands warm before you go on... it seems silly now, but basically before every gig my hands get cold... dont know if its cause im nervous or what... but it can dramatically effect your playing...

I would go with the not eating of anything, especially for your first gig... also, might want to make sure you go to the bathroom before you get on... that becomes rather annoying if your bladder decides you have to go right once you get up there....

the having fun bit is actually key... if you dont remember anything else, this is what you want to shoot for... also, dont try to be extremely serious... i mean, i dont know what kind of music your playing... but in what i play, looking/smiling at the other members of the band is a great thing to do... sometimes it makes the experiance much more enjoyable... especially if one is a chick... lol just kidding... but you catch my drift...

well anyway... i wish you good luck... if i think of anything else ill come back... hehe

Nice list!

Again to echo most everybody- don't stop playing. If you mess up, don't make a face, don't worry about it- you probably will make a mistake- get over it.

Be like Barry Sanders, act like you've been there before.

Good luck!

SlavaF · #16 03-04-2006, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderbird91

Well in about a week we will performing at a little shindig near my school. Its like a mock battle of the bands. We are only playing one song but I am still ready to crap my pants. I am not good in front of crowds. I had no idea it was so soon. We don't even know what song were playing yet. I'm nervous already. Any tips?

My first real gig was a battle of the bands at my school too... I guess the only thing you can do is know your part inside out, so that when you get up there, you can concentrate on your performance, and you've got one less thing to worry about!

Once you get up there and start rawking out, you'll forget about stage fright and everything else, and it pretty much becomes automatic

...just make sure your wang isn't showing, that can kill a performance pretty quick

nemo · #17 03-04-2006, 08:27 AM

Wear sunglasses. This will isolate you from the frightening crowd.

Slink · #18 03-04-2006, 08:41 AM

I once did a Solo act at a local bar as a guitarist-singer and I had a case of the nerves before I went on. So I drank some Pepto Bismal before I left home and it seemed to help.

I do not work for or represent the Pepto company in any way shape or form.

If you do crap your pants it should keep it good and solid not that runny stuff.

BassManPatsFan · #19 03-04-2006, 08:53 AM

My first gig was in 8th grade, some dumb concert that my band and a couple others put on. Although I have terrible nerves and can't stand talking and such in front of a group of people, for some reason I don't have too much of a problem playing bass in front of a crowd. I'm sure you'll feel the butterflies right before you go on, but after the first few chords, I'm sure you'll be fine. Just remember to stay cool and feel the music. There's nothing better than seeing a band that is really getting into the music they play. Most importantly have fun!
-Alex

Thunderbird91 · #20 03-08-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

See if you can watch some live clips of your favorite bands and see how their bassist's deliver the goods live.

Hah. I love Zeppelin but JPJ ... shall i say...not the master of the moves. Except near the end of dazed and confused on the DVD. Hes just going nuts. Krist novoselic though has some good moves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

First off, invest in some Depends.

haha. good advice.

a little joke....

Man I love to wear my depends to parties. I go there and I'm drinking for hours and hours and I never have to go to the bathroom because I can just go in my pants. One time one of my friends asked me if I ever go to the bathroom. I say "Eh... Depends"