First live gig!

jarrydee · #1 11-14-2011, 05:51 AM

Well, last night was my first gig as a bass player (I am a drummer turned bass player) I really wish I could of had more fun, to tell ya the truth, I could not wait for it to be over, I was so tensed up my fingers felt stiff, my hands were sweating so bad they could barely slide on the neck, and my body hurts today like I had a seizer last night! Everyone said it sounded great but I KNOW what I did and did not do right, hope this passes....just thought I would share it with you all!

Snuggles · #2 11-14-2011, 04:01 PM

That is how everyone feels about their first gig. You'll get over it in time. Just focus on having fun and the music will usually flow from muscle memory. Practice everything difficult until you can do it without thinking about it at all. Then just loosen up. Have a drink or two before hand if you think it would help. I usually keep a towel for sweat, so you might consider that, too.

tangentmusic · #3 11-14-2011, 04:10 PM

"Stage Nerves" can be a pain (literally & figuratively)
It was your first time. It's to be expected. It'll get better

jarrydee · #4 11-15-2011, 05:40 AM

Thanks guys, I sure hope it gets better, I played out a thousand times as a drummer, but now I feel naked, no set or cymbals to hide behind..Good idea on practicing the hard parts, I usually go through every song over and over but never really stop to focus on the harder parts!

jarrydee · #5 11-24-2011, 06:44 AM

WELL.......Played second gig ever on bass last night during the biggest bar night of the year and........shaking like a freak.......what has happened to me, man I used to get on stage and play the drums like a mad man, ya I was pretty plowed by start time and dont do that anymore, but this has to go away, I miss half the cool licks I plan on doing because I am so tense I can barley move my fingers, it all worked out very good considering the sound man bailed on us at the last minute, but I just could not wait for it to be over so I could go home.....this really sucks! Thanks for letting me vent, you all are great around hear!....

PS. woke up this morning and my left index finger was so stiff it took a while to be able to bend it, and it hurt...whats up with that...I practice for hours a day so it cant be from strength,,,could it?

schmig · #6 11-24-2011, 06:53 AM

I'm no expert but have been practicing for years. Was the stiffness in a plucking finger? Make sure when you pluck that you only "brush" the string enough to get a nice tone. My teacher has taught me to look behind the string when practicing and make sure that no part of my finger is ever visible behind it!

Derek5272 · #7 11-24-2011, 08:13 AM

Assuming you're right handed (and that your left hand is fretting), you were probably pressing down much harder than you had to. It can happen when you're nervous, and you probably don't notice. Straining your finger much more than it is used to will make it stiff and painful, like you described.

steven1068 · #8 11-25-2011, 04:38 PM

Try not to be too nervous. Just remember your the bass player, so nobody is looking at you anyway.

Just kidding. And the pain will ease up when you get used to fretting

SelenaBassGirl · #9 11-26-2011, 07:23 PM

Congratulations!
My prob is my first time and any other time it was hard to ignore me..I was the only chick up there! Lol!
I was shaking like a leaf and knees knocked too. The nervous thing was my boyfriend (the bass player for the band I sat in with) was all filming me and then the singer lead guitardist, whom I knew for years, he dropped to his knees and bowed afterward! I knew him years before I learned to play and he heard I played but never heard me..he told me later he didnt think I was gonna be able to do it and I shocked him. He now calls himself a fan of mine! Lol

basscooker · #10 11-27-2011, 09:12 PM

jarry how long do you warm up b4 the show? i like to pluck thru a few diff't scales moving up and down the neck again and again for about 20 mins, leaving about a 20 to 30 min of rest time b4 the lights go down. my 2 cents.

EasyJames · #11 11-27-2011, 09:42 PM

Sounds like you have the material down so what are ya worried about? Just have fun and make em dance :-) It's not like your life depends on it.

HeavyRockBasser · #12 11-27-2011, 09:50 PM

Just remember, everyone who is at your gig is there to have a good time and enjoy a band. Even on my worst nights, I usually come away with compliments. The average listener doesn't notice most mistakes. We can list every missed note and bobble, but most people - and sometimes bandmates - don't notice. Just focus on doing your best, and you'll be fine. I sounds like you might be leaning into it too hard. Try to caress the instrument, not strangle it, and watch your tempo. When you're nervous, the tendency is to play faster and harder. Most importantly, don't stop. That, everyone will notice. If you lose your place, just vamp on something until you can lock back in.

If it helps, imagine your audience in their underwear. But, on the other hand, depending on the venue, this could be very disturbing.

Smile. Play. Rock! You'll be fine. hrb

zerox456 · #13 11-29-2011, 12:17 PM

I'm about to gig for the first time and Im scared as hell!!!

Bongokid · #14 11-30-2011, 01:19 PM

I feel really good about playing for the first first time myself. Never been on stage has got me anxious To do it. Hopefully i dont read too many of these stage fright stories to get me to change feelings.