Stagefright - Page 3

HWK2 · #41 10-04-2001, 12:10 AM

Never being one for "excercise" I usually just lie down on the ground and close my eyes.. I know it sounds really corny, but it works for me. I just pretty much try and shut everything out of my mind, and go in knowing my stuff without all those crazy thoughts of all the crap that could go wrong.

Bob Clayton · #42 10-07-2001, 05:28 PM

i would say act like they are all nude, but then u see some fat ugly guy around, then it all goes down hill from there...

yawnsie · #43 10-08-2001, 05:24 PM

Personally, I've never had stage fright. In fact, it's often quite the opposite - I feel very liberated out there on stage. Having said that, I can occasionally get a little tense waiting to go on, and I always get a little ripple of nervousness when the drummer starts the first count in, but apart from that I'm fine. And I know what it's like to have a celebrity watching as well - once, the bloke who won Big Brother here in England was at one of our gigs!

Gabu · #44 10-08-2001, 05:38 PM

I am definately nervous... But this is my first "real" gig that I have ever done. Playing for friends at parties and stuff is way different because you know many of the people and they are very forgiving of your booboos and stuff. But now I will be playing a club where no one knows me, or any member of my band.

It's gonna be scary. Heck I am already scared. But I think I can only overcome it be experiencing it and then, notice at the end of the show that I am still alive and well.

I am feeling really cool about this. I never was in a band before that was pushing forward. I have already learned a lot and keep learning. One of the best things about these guys is that they are not hung up on one style. I am the baby of the band musical-knowlegewise... But you know one thing that is funny? I know the most about gear in the band. I must attribute that to plenty of time spent in the amps, basses and setup forums.

yawnsie · #45 10-08-2001, 05:56 PM

I'm sure you'll be fine, Gabu. If I lived anywhere near you I'd be happy to come down and give you a bit of moral support, and I'm sure other, closer Talkbassers would do the same.

However, I always thought before my first gig that I'd be a bag of nerves, but in the end it was never a problem. Get out there and show them what you can do!

nil · #46 10-08-2001, 06:10 PM

99% of people who come to a gig wanna rock...don't let the remaining 1% of musicians, fools and barstaff put you off - give 100% to the 99%!

There's a balance between "rocking" and "playing" - that 99% of people aren't gonna give a damn if you fluff a note or two if the overall performance is active and alive, as long as you don't thow technique and skill out the window simply to rock out more...

Gudforniet · #47 10-08-2001, 06:28 PM

here's what ya do to overcome stage fright. we'll call this "the frosty method of overcoming stage fright."

step 1: show up at the gig, watch the other bands play before ya. breathe deeply and slowly throughout all of it.
Step 2: set up your gear on stage, walk outside very casually, and go into the drivers seta of your car, or into a quiet area (like a bathroom or sumpin)
Step 3: at the top of your lungs scream, "F*CK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

this realeases tension and you will realized that you just screamed in front of some people outside your car and they are now lookin at ya, don't feel embarrassed at all

Step 4: walk back inside casually, grab your bass, and play a great show.

Frosty

Bassbarbie · #48 10-11-2001, 10:47 AM

I reckon its much easier to play to strangers than friends, although I'm always more comfortable playing venues I've played before.

I play in a covers band and we don't take ourselves too seriously... the odd cock up can add a chance to interact with the audience - get them smiling with you...... as long as you can smile!

I suppose nothing too horrendous has ever happened - maybe I'm lucky.

playerdelabass · #49 10-13-2001, 05:30 PM

I usually get really hyped up, and start jumping around the room, or out back someplace. I'll be running up picnic tables, and jumping off at the top.

I never get high before a gig, I have a fresh pint waiting on stage, and it all starts at the end of the fist tune, I take a big swig o' nice cool beer, and jump up to do the second song, after that you Wouldn't stop me if you burnt my bass, tied the strings round my ankles, and imploded my amp!

But for that hour beforehand, I'm a wreck I tell you...

Intrepid · #50 10-15-2001, 03:08 PM

I never get nervous in front of an audience...I've played in front of my entire high school and didn't get nervous, but I get nervous as hell when being judged at competitions...don't know why....I usually can still make it through...after awhile I get focused on my instrument and just listening to what everybody else is doing that I don't really care...