Is there a stage fright thread?

[Wookieonbass]

I get anxiety attacks. It's crazy because I've been playing on stage on and off for 30+ years, but I still get them. Mostly on the way to gigs or if I have to wait around to play. These attacks are more severe with new gigs at new venues or stuff like battles of the bands. I'm fine after a couple of songs and actually have a great time playing and acting the ham but it's the anticipation that kills me. My mind needs to be occupied on something other than the show before I go on. If I dwell I panic. It sucks but I deal with it.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

Once I drop my Pre show poop I'm good to go.

Ha, same!

Honestly though, I find that drinking more than one beer before a gig will make me have a rough night. I start to worry about whether or not I'm too drunk to play (even if I'm clearly not) and suddenly I start to get very clammy. If I just get up on stage completely sober I'm always fine. Oddly enough, I also end up 'rawkin' out more, too.

[joebar]

Originally Posted by Corevalay

That's interesting because I'm pretty much the opposite! I'm a very quiet and reserved person in general. Once I get on stage though I'm completely different. Very active and outgoing. I've been told numerous times how good my stage presence is. I've always been told countless times "Wow, I can't believe that's you up there". I guess being on stage is a bit of an outlet for me. Seems to do the opposite for you.

me too
i have been told that i am a different animal on stage. very confident; probably a result of doing years of homework before i get to the stage.

[Bassist4Eris]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

Once I drop my Pre show poop I'm good to go.

That's funny! That's my guitar player's ritual too. I'm one of the lucky non-stage fright people. I get my nerves driving to the gig, but once I'm there and loaded in, I calm right down.

[thedudebrah]

I'm gonna keep this thread in mind when I'm on stage tomorrow night. We're playing two larger "serious" clubs this weekend and I want to make a good impression.

It's funny. On the way to the gig I have no nerves up until I've finished tuning my bass and the crowd starts to gather. I feel like me feet just get kind of locked in place and I concentrate on playing the songs well and locking in with the drummer. Before I know it, the set is over and were breaking down. I often get compliments on the band and my own playing and sound, and humbly say thank you, but inside my head I know I can perform better. Sometimes I find it rough to even look at the other guys in the band or even get into a "rock stance". I'll report back after my gig tomorrow and share my experience.

[Kmonk]

I think it depends on what you consider stage fright. Most musicians say that they prefer a small intimate setting in which to perform. I am the exact opposite. I feel more comfortable on a large stage in front of a lot of people. The biggest crowd I've played to is around 25,000 people. IT didn't bother me at all. I get very uncomfortable when playing in a small venue where the audience is only a few feet away and staring at me. I have been playing for 35 years and went through a period of a couple of years where I developed severe stage fright. I broke out of it by watching a 12 year girl sing on "America's Got Talent". I figured if she could do it, I could.

People who are not bothered at all usually have no sense of self awareness. They think they are better than they are.

[rickdog]

Some years back I realized there is no such thing as "stage fright". That feeling you get that could be mistaken for some sort of fear is really just the energy of the audience you're about to channel. Bigger audience, more energy. You just need to learn how to ride it.

[iridiumrocks]

Stage fright can be cured by being well-rehearsed and confident in your playing.

1. Practice the songs until you can play them without thinking. Confidence makes you relaxed and you will have a lot more fun. If you're having fun, that feeling will project into the audience.
2. Stay sober and focused on your playing. I used to think a few beers would relax me, but it actually has the opposite effect. Alcohol slows your thought processes and affects your motor skills. It will cause you to make mistakes you wouldn't have made sober. Screwing up in front of an audience creates more anxiety and makes the problem worse.
3. Remember that the audience is not filled with other musicians. Musicians judge themselves much more harshly than the average person in the crowd.

[thedudebrah]

Originally Posted by iridiumrocks

Stage fright can be cured by being well-rehearsed and confident in your playing.
[*]Remember that the audience is not filled with other musicians. Musicians judge themselves much more harshly than the average person in the crowd.

More often than not, the crowds we play for are full of other musicians. Playing on a bill with 4-6 other bands in a night guarantees that there's a few other bass players there.

It's not so much that I'm not comfortable with my playing or the material, I just feel like I have cement shoes on and I get anchored in one spot while everyone's eyes burn holes into me.

[bradjonesbass]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Listen Man, I already know all about you based on the question. You are a good bass player! You deserve to be up there. You were put on this earth to play bass!!!!! Am I right? If you feel that you were born a bass player, then you deserve to be on that stage. There are people that can get on stage and jump around and play the part but you are the real deal. It's about the groove not all the other stuff! Get up there and hold down the groove and make it a great show. That's what I do.

I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me

[Medford Bassman]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

Once I drop my Pre show poop I'm good to go.

Never under-estimate the power of this...!

[LuckyPants]

I know words are useless compared to a ritual you can do to help. Words can come across as meaningless and you'll probably gloss over them.

But oddly, I'm the complete opposite of you OP. I have intense social anxiety disorder which means that I'm the quietest person you'll ever meet. At band practices I say a grand total of 3 words a day. I'm the type who only speaks when spoken to, and even then barely at all because I find talking to people to be absolutely terrifying.

But when I pick up my bass and walk out onto a stage, it's all gone. That's one of the main reasons I'm in a band, because on stage I am a normal human being and my fears subside for once. The way I see it is that I'm doing something that people admire, and more importantly, I have my weapon (not an innuendo) in hand, I've got my bass in between me and the crowd. I feel like it just gives me confidence. You're in the band because you're good enough and no one in the crowd is expecting anything from you.

It sounds harsh but I feel that the crowd will only notice you:

-If you're really ridiculously good looking, in which case success
-If you're really bloody good at bass, in which case, success
-If you make a really obvious mistake, but you're in control of that so you can ensure you won't.
-If you suck, but you wouldn't be in the band

So the crowd is always more likely to think positive things or ambivalent things, rarely negative. Take it from the least confident person in the world, be confident.

[tmdazed]

I love large crowds, I don't get nervous before i go up I get excited to the point that sometimes the end of a show is anti-climactic. even with people patting you on the back saying how good the show was, i wander around lost after the sets are over. Of course , I like to leave everything i got to give up on stage, give it all or go home i like to say

[Russell L]

>>>QUOTE from Kmonk: People who are not bothered at all usually have no sense of self awareness. They think they are better than they are.<<<

Well, can't say I agree with that. I'm quite self aware onstage, but I'm not egotistical about it. I mean, I don't think I'm better than I am. I'm pretty humble about how good I am, actually.

[GlassOnion]

My Dad once told me **** or get off the pot.

That being said, I understand nerves. But its all a matter of perspective. Now is your opportunity. Jam, rock, groove whatever the case might be. Get on or get off.

[Russell L]

I do get anxious sometimes, though, wondering if I'm gonna be able to find the dang place in a strange town.

[Ricnroll]

Does anyone have experience with Beta Blockers? I`ve heard they can help with stage fright (but I don`t if they are easily available or if they have any side effects to be worried about)

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Russell L

>>>QUOTE from Kmonk: People who are not bothered at all usually have no sense of self awareness. They think they are better than they are.<<<

Well, can't say I agree with that. I'm quite self aware onstage, but I'm not egotistical about it. I mean, I don't think I'm better than I am. I'm pretty humble about how good I am, actually.

I don't really agree with it, either. I started playing competitive sports when I was about 4 years old, so I got used to people watching me perform at a pretty early age.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Ricnroll

Does anyone have experience with Beta Blockers? I`ve heard they can help with stage fright (but I don`t if they are easily available or if they have any side effects to be worried about)

My buddy used to take them before giving speeches in class. Apparently you don't even realize they're working until you find yourself in a situation you'd normally get anxious or nervous in but aren't. He suggested them to me because I get nervous during public speaking, myself.

[dbase]

My bandmates empty a bottle of Petron just before going on stage... works every time.