How do you feel about performing?

djero44 · #1 07-05-2009, 03:20 PM

I have played music a long time, but have relatively little experience with playing out. I did a few shows in high school, little things, and while raising my daughter i've been pretty much a solo musician until the last year. I played various open mics, did solo gigs and busked on the streets some, but all in all i'm a novice when it comes to performing with only a couple dozen gigs under my belt.

Yesterday I played with one of my bands at what was really our first gig. We played an outdoor set at the local park for a big Cherry Days festival, and there were 500-1000 people in the park when we played. It went well all in all (at least by what everyone told me) but I was fairly dissatisfied with my personal performance. Some of it was situational, we were asked to load in at 9am, so we showed up on time, then the sound guy didn't show up till' 10 and was still setting up at 11 when we were supposed to start. (Talk about unprofessional, i'm a sound engineer and i've showed up a little late for some gigs, but never in a situation where it would put a band out like this). We, of course, got no real sound check, which shouldn't have been a big deal for our trio, but even during the set trying to get him to give me keys in the monitor proved unsuccessful so i'm pretty much listening to the backside of the mains to hear our only other melodic instrument.

Anyhow I know this kind of crap is all too common when performing, and you have to learn to roll with it. I keep a positive attitude but i'm not an experienced performer and although i'm not filled with anxiety and trepidation about playing live, I still deal with nerves to the extent that it definitely affects my playing, especially with a new project that is still finding it's tightness. This still frustrates the heck out of me though-- I practice and rehearse as much as my hands will allow me (2-4+ hrs most days on the bass) and still i'm making mistakes on stage that just don't happen in rehearsal. I do realize most everyone listening didn't really notice, although ironically a local producer/musician came and watched our whole show (Dik Darnell, who's also the biggest guy in music in our area), he's a good guy and very sharp; i'm sure he heard my all too frequent slips. Having him there made me a little extra nervous! For the record i'm trying not to be too hard on myself, I know most people didn't hear my mistakes like I did (ugh, the memory makes me cringe). Honestly it wasn't that bad or even really bad at all, but I took it rather poorly. I really am excited for our next gig in a couple of weeks to give it another go and a have a shot at personal redemption. We have a host of other gigs coming up this summer and fall too.

Well I don't need to draw out this story too much, but it makes me want to know how others deal with performing and the process of getting to be an engaging and relaxed entertainer. I think the main thing will to be to get lots more experience, and i'm working on that. This is one of the most difficult things i've ever done, but i'm determined to get there!

Any tips from you seasoned pros?

TBird1958 · #2 07-05-2009, 03:27 PM

Like a lot things, the more you do it, the better it gets

Seriously, I love (and it seems live) to play music out in front of people, it's a high better than any drug!

kcamsdog1387 · #3 07-05-2009, 03:28 PM

I think it just comes with time. When I was in High School, I was playing out almost every weekend. I stopped playing in bands for a few years and even stopped playing bass for about 9 months. I finally joined another band in December and the first few shows back out there were horrible. I'd get the shakes a little was messing up a lot. Even at open mics in front of like 15 people. We've been playing some shows in Boston and now I'm back out there ripping up and the confidence is just out of this world. I think the chemistry and confidence with the other band members is key. Just work on keeping contact with them onstage and body language between the guys are key, at least for me. Just keep playing out man and it'll come to you.

jd858us · #4 07-05-2009, 03:56 PM

When other people like your sound guy screw up, it's on them. Sometimes it's very hard to let that roll off your back, but keep trying.

Another thing, is that no matter how big the clam, I assure you the only way people will know is if you acknowledge it with a facial expression or gesture. If you just keep playing and act like nothing is wrong, NO ONE will catch it, not even other musicians. The only difference between them and the average public is that they'll be the ones looking for you to confirm it. Don't give them the satisfaction!! You may also have to teach your band members not to give each other the evil eye in such a situation, but it's for everyone's good to completely ignore mistakes in performance. Make a mental note and work it out at rehearsal.

All this will get much easier as you play out more. Good luck!!

djero44 · #5 07-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Like a lot things, the more you do it, the better it gets

Seriously, I love (and it seems live) to play music out in front of people, it's a high better than any drug!

I do too! I just need to learn to use that super high energy in the ways I want it to come out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcamsdog1387

I think the chemistry and confidence with the other band members is key.

I totally see this, especially in a trio like this band is. I have a great established relationship with our drummer, he's like my little brother and we're tight. I really like our keyboardist a lot and although we don't have the jamming chemistry i'd like we do play well together and I think there is a good chance it will work out quite well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd858us

If you just keep playing and act like nothing is wrong, NO ONE will catch it, not even other musicians. The only difference between them and the average public is that they'll be the ones looking for you to confirm it. Don't give them the satisfaction!!

All this will get much easier as you play out more. Good luck!!

I learned this yesterday! I had musician and dj friends in the audience, they noticed once when I made a face. I'll totally take this advice, though it can be difficult in some instances. Thanks for the encouragement. Thankfully I can totally let other band members mistakes go by, it's my own playing that i'm critical of.

Part of my difficulty is i'm playing fretless on at least half of our songs which i've only been doing for about six months. It is my favorite all time instrument, and I can totally go there but I have some insecurities about my intonation live. It was good to put it to the test, but a bit nerve-wracking.

ryco · #6 07-05-2009, 04:39 PM

I LOVE performing!! It's my favorite part of being a player!

You're gonna hit some clunkers from time to time. Don't worry about it. They will happen less and less the more you play out.
One of the benefits of playing live is ya hit a bad note and then it's gone into the ether! Just learn from your mistakes and do better next time!
Woodshed and be prepared as possible and then just go out and have a good time!

tplyons · #7 07-05-2009, 10:10 PM

I'm a generally reserved guy, but the stage is where I love to be.

When the music clicks, there is no better feeling than having people in a trance because of your playing. It's the greatest rush I've ever experienced.

MadMan118 · #8 07-06-2009, 12:51 AM

People come to see the show, give them just that.

Richland123 · #9 07-06-2009, 09:45 AM

The most important thing you have to remember is that no matter what goes on before the show, you cannot let it affect your performance and let it show to the audience. They do not know if you got there on time and the sound guy was late and was the reason you started late or any other issues that may occur prior to the start of your showtime. Hit the stage and give them your best performance possible every time.

ggunn · #10 07-06-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richland123

The most important thing you have to remember is that no matter what goes on before the show, you cannot let it affect your performance and let it show to the audience. They do not know if you got there on time and the sound guy was late and was the reason you started late or any other issues that may occur prior to the start of your showtime. Hit the stage and give them your best performance possible every time.

And never look back. Once that clam has escaped, there's no getting it back. Dwelling on it will just spawn more clams.

JTE · #11 07-06-2009, 11:17 AM

It's one of the reasons for playing bass. I find playing bass all by myself boring and pointless. Playing with other people is what bass is all about. And I'm sorry, but no matter how much I like the folks in the band, we gotta get on stage and put the music out there for others to hear.

So, performing is what it's ultimately about. Now when things go wrong (I screw up, the sound guy's late, the drummer doesn't swing, the guitarist counts everything off too fast, etc.) is part of the deal. That's why it's "live" music, not karaoke. The great thing about it is that it's out there in the air, and gone. Just let the performance be you, not what you envision people think you should be.

If you're a naturally outgoing and physically animated person, let that come out in your playing. If you're more like John Entwistle with your toes nailed to the stage, work that for you too. So don't try to make huge differences in your personality, but you can work to develope what you are.

jte

djero44 · #12 07-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richland123

The most important thing you have to remember is that no matter what goes on before the show, you cannot let it affect your performance and let it show to the audience. They do not know if you got there on time and the sound guy was late and was the reason you started late or any other issues that may occur prior to the start of your showtime. Hit the stage and give them your best performance possible every time.

Yes, this is the idea! I wasn't too caught up with the sound issues or anything during, and I wore a smile and had as much fun as I could. Even though I wasn't as pleased as i'd like to be, I have really come a long way towards this goal. I was definitely giving it my best, the part that was hard for me is it didn't come out anywhere near my best playing-wise. I want to have some eye contact and reciprocation with the audience, but I have a feeling I was probably staring at my bass way to much, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

So, performing is what it's ultimately about. Now when things go wrong (I screw up, the sound guy's late, the drummer doesn't swing, the guitarist counts everything off too fast, etc.) is part of the deal. That's why it's "live" music, not karaoke. The great thing about it is that it's out there in the air, and gone. Just let the performance be you, not what you envision people think you should be.

Don't you love when a song is started way too fast? The second number we played came off the ramp about 15bmp too rushed, and it was so hard to catch up. Whoops! This has been a big lesson to me over the winter gigging, listening back to our shows I hear the adrenaline has us rushing some songs way too much. I've talked about this with our drummer a lot and we're trying to keep it where it should be, which is a work in progress.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

If you're a naturally outgoing and physically animated person, let that come out in your playing. If you're more like John Entwistle with your toes nailed to the stage, work that for you too. So don't try to make huge differences in your personality, but you can work to develop what you are.

jte

I hear you, and I try to be as real as possible. I am kind of an introverted and reclusive person by nature, but when I realized I was headed down this path 16+ years ago I started to cultivate other sides in my personality to help with the process. It's been good, and i'm getting closer all the time. I like being a bassist, it serves me well, in larger groups I can be in the background and also in full control, which is really well suited for me.. In this trio i'm playing and singing, so i'm pretty much the front man which increases my pressure a bit wanting to stay engaging. Btw I think i'll have a couple of songs from this show online in a day or so, i'll drop a link so you can see them. I've listened to my live shows before but have never seen a video yet, it will be an interesting experience.

Thanks everybody for your support and info. In a lot of ways it is affirming things I am learning, and that makes me feel like i'm headed in the right direction. It's really heartening to have the input, and if I get a chance i'll come support your music!

BassChuck · #13 07-07-2009, 07:16 AM

Assume that you'll always be nervous. Don't get involved with chemicals to solve that... instead learn to play while nervous. Play for friends, take any gig that is offered. In time you'll learn to deal with it and it becomes a great experience.

Pilgrim · #14 07-07-2009, 10:58 AM

I enjoy performing - but one thing I learned quickly is that the ambient sound situations while performing can lead to a lot of mistakes.

The more you practice - usually in a confined area with live acoustics - the more contrast there is to the sound you hear in a live situation, usually in a much larger space. The problems the OP had with the sound guy just compounded it. It's HARD to play accurately when you're not hearing what you are used to hearing!

I don't know about others, but my band isn't big enough to have a "sound guy". Instead, we bring our own gear, set up, turn on and since I have a wireless rig for my bass, I walk out into the audience area and check levels with each player. After that, we have to deal with the acoustics of the venue, and sometimes that makes it a challenge to hear what I'm playing.