I 'freeze' on stage....stagefright

Fassa Albrecht · #1 07-11-2008, 03:47 PM

I've noticed recently that when I come on stage I freeze when we begin to play. I'm absolutely fine as we pick up our instruments and turn on the amps, but just before we begin playing I begin to panic and 'freeze up'

I really don't know what brought this on. I know the songs pretty well now and I've done performances before.

Any ideas TB?

ksandvik · #2 07-11-2008, 03:53 PM

Stage fright comes in many forms. It's good to be a little bit alert before the show starts, anyway.

Fassa Albrecht · #3 07-11-2008, 03:58 PM

The one thing I want to know is WHY it's happening after I've been doing live performances for a good 8 or 9 months.

Bob the bassist · #4 07-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

The one thing I want to know is WHY it's happening after I've been doing live performances for a good 8 or 9 months.

Tough to say without, well, being you. Personally, I have a beer before a set and take off my glasses onstage. Can barely see my feet without 'em. Audience? What audience?

Eublet · #5 07-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Stage fright has many forms. Some people just don't like to be in front of a crowd, even if all they ahve to do is stand there. However it sounds like you have anxiety about screwing up, or possible having your playing analyzed by others. Perhaps figuring out that part first might help get you moving in the right direction.

bassteban · #6 07-11-2008, 04:07 PM

I think John Entwistle had the same problem. I'm pretty sure he was at least a little bit nervous- I mean, look what he did w/his hands.

machine gewehr · #7 07-11-2008, 04:56 PM

1 or 2 beers.

CamMcIntyre · #8 07-12-2008, 07:12 PM

Have you been adequately prepared for the shows? The main time that i get more severe nerves on stage is when I haven't practiced the tunes enough.

The other option-i do this for certain gigs, have a beer an hour before the show. That generally helps relax me. I don't think it's the beer [since it's an hour before] as much as just taking the time to relax. When I am all up tight & tense, i don't play nearly as well as when I am relaxed.

The Golden Boy · #9 07-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Last night I'm busy in kind of a "free form" section- and I got locked into one "safe" part. Usually I'm a little more "adventurous" at this point in the song, but last night I kind of "froze" into that one spot and was actually kind of afraid to leave that "safe" spot. Guitar player made fun of me too because he noticed it.

the_fonz · #10 07-12-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob the bassist

Tough to say without, well, being you. Personally, I have a beer before a set and take off my glasses onstage. Can barely see my feet without 'em. Audience? What audience?

that glasses idea is actually a pretty good one.
I never really thought of that one before...

notalent · #11 07-12-2008, 11:43 PM

Oh my! I can't even see the E on the chart at the eye doctor. I'm afraid I wouldn't even move since I'd be afraid of running into a bandmate or falling offstage lol

Stumbo · #12 07-12-2008, 11:56 PM

Recreate the "band" in your head as you played a great rehearsal.
Get that feeling and go with it. Don't be afraid of making a mistake which is what I think is happening to you.

chadds · #13 07-14-2008, 04:44 AM

Before you go on sit. Put your hands palm up on your knees. Imagine this: Breathe into your right hand, then your right foot, then your left foot, then your left hand, then your right hand and continue. This circle does wonders. Also just play your bass for a good 20 minutes steady before you go on. Gently.

BassChuck · #14 07-14-2008, 05:57 AM

And remember, the goal is not to get rid of the nervousness..... but rather to learn to play while nervous. If you goal is getting rid of it, it will return as soon as you remember what you are trying to be rid of. Everyone gets nervous to some degree.... we all have to deal with it.

ksandvik · #15 07-14-2008, 11:11 AM

...sometimes I think someone has to do enough mistakes to realize that it's OK to be on stage and sometimes do mistakes...

buzzbass · #16 07-14-2008, 11:34 AM

I still have that issue at every gig, mainly becausee I see myself as a crappy player. No flash, just simple solid grooves. Anyway, a bit of ganja works wonders for me.

Jeff K · #17 07-14-2008, 10:06 PM

You might want to persuade your bandmates to open your set with one of the songs that you are totally comfortable with. (One of YOUR favorites to play.) That way, you get into your groove and start to feel more comfortable right away. It's worth a try anyway.

I feel for you. I love playing music, but I don't really like crowds. (Go figure!) Don't worry, it's probably just a temporary glitch. Like I said above, try opening with one of your favorites. After one or two decent gigs, you'll be be back to your old self.

SelenaBassGirl · #18 07-15-2008, 01:22 AM

that is what is keeping me from playing on a stage! My friend wants me to do a song they do that I know. I can play it fine but scared that I will mess up. I have very low self confidence and panic when I am being watched...I shake. So I am scared I am gonna shake and mess up..doesn't help that I like the bass player too that wants me to do this song. I mean, I am so darn shy about playing in front of him too!

Jeff K · #19 07-15-2008, 08:45 AM

Selena, is it a fast song? If so, you can be moving around while you play it. If you're moving, nobody will notice if you're shaking a bit. And once you get into it for a few bars, you'll feel better and more at ease. The main thing is that in order to feel comfortable, you must know your material. Since you already know how to play the song, you're more than half-way there already! Just keep practicing it until you feel totally at ease with that song. Then when you agree to sit in, you'll at least feel comfortable with the material.

Then just move to the groove. After you get that first time under your belt, it will get much easier. And don't worry about messing up. Everybody messes up occasionally. If you DO hit a bad note, don't freak out. Just keep playing like nothing happened. Most people in the audience won't even realize there was a mistake. But you'll be surprised to find that if you know the song well, you probably won't even MAKE a mistake. Instead of worrying about messing up or making a mistake, just try to get yourself into the proper mind-set. Tell yourself, "This is going to be fun!" Because really, if you stop and think about it, it IS fun. You like playing the bass, and you know your material, so keep telling yourself "This is going to be a blast".

And don't worry about playing in front of the other bassist. Experienced bassists are usually very supportive of people just starting to play out. For the most part, bassists are like a big family - supportive of each other. He obviously thinks you can handle it, or he wouldn't ask you to sit in. Just do it! It'll be fun, and you'll have gotten over that "first-time" hurdle.

jive1 · #20 07-15-2008, 09:33 AM

Here's a piece of advice I got from an experienced musician back in the day, and it has helped ever since.

"Get over yourself. Nobody is paying attention to you, as much as you are."
Don't focus on yourself. Instead, focus on the music, bandmates, audience, or whatever.

Since there are two female bassists with this issue, I'll use the mirror as an analogy.
You're going out on a Firday night, and you go to the mirror to put on your makeup. You use the mirror to put on your makeup, and make sure it's all proper before you go out. You go out, and have a fun time talking, dancing, drinking, whatever. You might stop and check in the mirror when you take a bathroom break to make sure everything is still in place, and make any necessary adjustments. But, someone who is constantly going to the bathroom to check in the mirror isn't going to have much fun, or be much fun. But, you don't want to be one of those folks, so you go back to having a good time. And at the end of the night, you hit the mirror again to take off your makeup to get ready for bed. Or, you might not.