Help relax before and during gig

Let It Fall · #1 12-09-2009, 06:00 AM

I have my first real gig this Friday and I'm super nervous, I know all my lines till I get nervous. Is there anything I could take to help me loosen up? Supliment? Does alcohol help? I'm not a real big drinker so I wouldn't really know if this is a good idea or not. I wouldn't over do it. 1 bottle 3 hours before the set too earlY/little?

Rickett Customs · #2 12-09-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

I have my first real gig this Friday and I'm super nervous, I know all my lines till I get nervous. Is there anything I could take to help me loosen up? Supliment? Does alcohol help? I'm not a real big drinker so I wouldn't really know if this is a good idea or not. I wouldn't over do it. 1 bottle 3 hours before the set too earlY/little?

Try dealing with it sober first, if you've went through your material sober (at practice, or playing the material at home), you might be less prone to mistakes. Everyone has a different way of coping with such situations, if at first sober does not work, have a beer or 2, I guess.

Ric5 · #3 12-09-2009, 06:06 AM

Play enough gigs and the nervousness turns to boredom ... you then have to figure out how to get into playing out with people you don't like playing songs you don't like and at a place you don't like.

the JT · #4 12-09-2009, 06:09 AM

Definitely have a couple of drinks. You might not think it, but it will make you play better. And of course help with nerves.

I used to get nervous too. Dont worry, i'm confident it will go away after you've done enough public performance.

Gasman · #5 12-09-2009, 06:11 AM

If you practice sober, play sober. If you get buzzed, you are much more likely to make mistakes if your brain is not used to the "play-notes-with-alcohol" environment. And take it from me- alcohol does not calm nerves entirely! That said, I usually have 2 beers over the course of a gig- 1 before, one during.

TeamTrejo · #6 12-09-2009, 06:12 AM

The jitters will go away once you get into your first set. The more you play out the better.

I usually have a beer 15min before starting the first set. Then one at each break that I sip on during the next set.

Don't over do it. I'm sure you know your limits. My playing gets way worse if I drink too much.

Never do shots.

Our lead guitarist had a few Jello shots at a show last month. We all started playing Brown Sugar and he is playing Honky Tonk Woman. We laugh about it now.

fearceol · #7 12-09-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the JT

Definitely have a couple of drinks. You might not think it, but it will make you play better. And of course help with nerves.

I disagree. It may relax you a little, but your concentration will suffer. Why do you think you are not allowed to drink and drive ?

My advice would be to do some deep breathing exercises just before you go on. Also, try to remember to breath deeply while playing.

This has helped me, hope it does for you also.

Marley's Ghost · #8 12-09-2009, 06:23 AM

Booze in moderation. Don't overdo it.

Phalex · #9 12-09-2009, 06:31 AM

1st gig?? Nervous?? That's awesome!! Playing in front of people used to be just like riding a roller coaster for me! That is the best feeling anywhere! Enjoy it, in a few years you'll wish you still got all tingly!

Gab124 · #10 12-09-2009, 06:37 AM

If you are not a real big drinker as you say then don't drink. Taking the deep breaths as mentioned is a good idea, but really just realize you are doing what you worked hard for. After the first song or two when you see everyone having fun you will loosen up and relax. I always found a good sound check first helps as well, always hated when the sound guy is tweeking away through the first song and things sound, well kinda crazy.

Joe.shaffer · #11 12-09-2009, 06:43 AM

Since I quit drinking, sitting outside with my eyes closed works best. I guess you could call it meditating?

jgroh · #12 12-09-2009, 06:52 AM

In general, I usually will have a beer or two before going on, but I find that once I am up there, the adrenaline cancels out the alcohol effects and I dont feel it anyway. Ive played without drinking of course and the best thing is to watch your breathing...deep breath, hold it, out...repeat (sounds corny I know but it really helps me to do this) Once you start playing, you will settle down and enjoy it.

DeluxeRed · #13 12-09-2009, 08:55 AM

As some others have mentioned, if you do not regularly drink when you play, then DO NOT do that for the gig. Have your mind in the state it is when you rehearse the material with your band.

As Phalex alluded to, what you are interpreting as "nerves" is the excitement and energy generated by (the anticipation of) playing music live in front of people. Do not fear it or abate it, USE it! That feeling is what makes you a hero--it's what you have that they don't. It is that energy and magic that puts you up on a stage, whether you're in an arena or the corner of a small bar.

So...stomp around. Do the Hulk pose with your arms. Go "YEAHHH! TIME TO ROCK!" Keep the energy up! When you go on stage, let them see it in your eyes and hear it through your fingers.

It's like a good wave: it can crush you or you can have your most glorious moments on it. Surf's up, dude! You gonna ride or what?

Phalex · #14 12-09-2009, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the new sig DeluxeRed! Great analogy, even if you are from Kansas!

geeza · #15 12-09-2009, 09:44 AM

Maybe you should "take things into your own hands", if ya know what I'm saying.

Oh... and do it before the show. During a show might be a problem.

DeluxeRed · #16 12-09-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeza

Maybe you should "take things into your own hands", if ya know what I'm saying...

I'd agree...IF that's how you rehearsed it!

OTOH, be hungry. Be horny. Need. Nothin' makes for a lackluster performance more than a well-sated player. There's time to eat and that other thang after the show. ("Preserve those vital bodily fluids!")

MatticusMania · #17 12-09-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.shaffer

Since I quit drinking, sitting outside with my eyes closed works best. I guess you could call it meditating?

There is much more to meditation that just sitting with your eyes closed. I'd call that resting.

**pacojas** · #18 12-09-2009, 09:59 AM

nerves before "anything" is normal. did you drink before "finals" in school. forget the drinks unless your used to playing while high. just tell your friends to clap extra loud and the strangers will join in. i remember at my first gig being sober and very studious. after that show i had my first groupie!!! as i got better, i got to smokin and drinkin just to get WET for the gig. gl.

MatticusMania · #19 12-09-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

("Preserve those vital bodily fluids!")

Yes, you might need to spread them across the face of a groupie afterwards...

Matt-77 · #20 12-09-2009, 10:07 AM

How long is your set? normally what I do is have a couple of beers with the band have a laugh and just enjoy the gig, the first couple of songs are gonna fly by anyway untill you calm down. Take a couple of bottles of water on stage with you and If you bum a few notes don't worry the crowd won't know unless you F*** up big time and it happens to us all at some point. Try not to ramble on too much inbetween songs the crown get bored and make sure your all ready to start the song, have one of you as the guy who gets the nod of the other band members before you go into the song. Have a spare guitar if you break a string and make sure your all in tune. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Then get drunk after and plan the next gig.

Don't what I done my first gig get drunk and make a and make a fool out of myself co's I had to work bloody hard to make it up to the band. Good job they were my best friends co's I would have been outta there If they wern't. All gigs after that were rockin so we learn't a lot from that first outing

Good luck you will be fine