Worst Gig Ever: I'm so upset!

justinb515 · #1 11-30-2006, 10:05 PM

Ok so tonight it was open mic at the local coffeehouse, which my guitar playing friend told me would be "a few people". I've only played with him a few times, but I figured what the heck? It's a coffeehouse...anyways it ended up being just me and him, no drummer. I couldn't hear myself at all, so the groove was painfully absent. There was about 140 people there as well, all watching. I could barely lift my head I was so ashamed...I seriously considered selling my gear and hanging it up. I realize that probably nobody else cared, but I seriously get stagefright, and I am kind of a melodic player, so without a drummer I was as lost as a goose egg. I literally lost it up there, it was so embarassing, and I'm a grown man. Any of you ever been so worked up like this over gig embarrassment?

hbarcat · #2 12-01-2006, 12:39 AM

That's stagefright, plain and simple, and the only way to beat it is to keep playing... in front of a lot of people, over and over, until you get comfortable doing it. And then play in front of lot MORE people..... Oh... and practice, practice, practice!

There are no shortcuts unless you want to try drugs, and those always come at a steep price.

justinb515 · #3 12-01-2006, 01:48 AM

It's strange to me that I got stagefright, in the original post I meant to say that I "seriously got" stagefright, not "get." I have been in the same band for about 5 years, and we recently broke up. They were my first band, and I've never gigged with anyone else. Tonight was my first gig with this new guy, and even though we jam well at home together, I just freaked at the idea of being unprepared and without a drummer. I never got stagefright with my old band, I guess I'm just scared of something new and different, especially in front of people. I'm very obsessive about being prepared, and I expected tonight to be like a small acoustic gig with a few people listening, and almost none watching. Right the opposite. I've had some time to cool down, and hopefully I won't subject myself to this again.

vindy500 · #4 12-01-2006, 02:01 AM

yep sell your gear, better yet post it all to me, Or get over it, think of it as a bad experience move on and learn from it

Toy Sun · #5 12-01-2006, 02:04 AM

but man, I'm jealous. I guess that makes me a jaded pro. But I would LOVE to feel that (again). Just the way things are: you and me, we are both bassist, but we've had different paths. Ironically, I just finished formatting my bio for some promo and it's all blah blah musical history (I'm 41 and started young)

I wish I could feel that sense of fear/excitement - don't you realize that you are putting yourself out there? Being prepared is great, but honestly, what you just survived is worth 20 lessons and 300 hours of practice in terms of your musical growth.

So, how come I don't feel what you felt tonight? See the above - it's the 30 years of playing live a lot.

So, take tonight's experience, repeat often, and you'll be a confident, experienced bassist. ..and miss that old feeling

Good luck,

John

uhdum · #6 12-01-2006, 12:55 PM

You were just out of your comfort zone... I'm sure it wasn't as bas as you thought it was. However, the fact that you're so concerned means that you won't settle for anything less than excellence... that's the key. Keep thumpin, bud!

Phalex · #7 12-01-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toy Sun

I wish I could feel that sense of fear/excitement - don't you realize that you are putting yourself out there?

X1000 Toy Sun!

I'd love to get that old fear back! I guess the truth is after sucking out loud in front of hundreds of people over the last 20 years, I just don't care anymore. My first few gigs were just like riding a roller coaster. Now a days, it's still a lot of fun, but in some aspects it's a lot like going to work.

tr68gt · #8 12-01-2006, 02:47 PM

I get that feeling when I'm jammin' with my friends. I think it's just that we want everything to be perfect, and the second it's not, we freak! I get better after a couple beers, I get a little relaxed and into a zone about my playing. We played at a party a month or so ago, so I had a couple before I went. The rush of stagefright stays with you, but it's more tolerable.

duo8675309 · #9 12-03-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

X1000 Toy Sun!

I'd love to get that old fear back! I guess the truth is after sucking out loud in front of hundreds of people over the last 20 years, I just don't care anymore. My first few gigs were just like riding a roller coaster. Now a days, it's still a lot of fun, but in some aspects it's a lot like going to work.

So gigging is like marital intercourse? Hmmm.

ALiP BoB · #10 12-03-2006, 01:20 PM

If it makes you feel better, the slapping technique was invented because the inventor didn't have a drummer. So he slapped to emulate the bass drum kicking to keep the tempo.

PurplePurple · #11 12-03-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALiP BoB

If it makes you feel better, the slapping technique was invented because the inventor didn't have a drummer. So he slapped to emulate the bass drum kicking to keep the tempo.

Where did you hear that?

ALiP BoB · #12 12-03-2006, 01:29 PM

I don't know. It was long ago. From some website.

SuperDuck · #13 12-03-2006, 01:30 PM

Most interviews or biographies about Larry Graham (the player the previous poster was referring to) mentioned that he started slapping for that reason.

CoDBassPlayer · #14 12-03-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Most interviews or biographies about Larry Graham (the player the previous poster was referring to) mentioned that he started slapping for that reason.

Hence the clicks. That's how I start off my band sicne we don't have a drummer anymore.

arbitrary · #15 12-03-2006, 02:28 PM

I would take it as a lesson/a kick in the pants to improve your groove/timing.

rancidrancid · #16 12-03-2006, 11:17 PM

Maybe it's just because I haven't had the space to really get into it jumping and such,(small stages)

But so far my biggest estimate is 40 people, and I didn't feel nervous or excited at all...
I think my joy of just playing my music overpowers my joy of playing live.

Certainly made my band kick it up a notch all together, and made it stick together too.

BrandonBass · #17 12-04-2006, 06:26 AM

u cared too much man, most people dont know/care about the bassist

MichaelVee · #18 12-04-2006, 06:34 AM

Hi Justin, from a long-time Kentuckian.

It's harder to play without a drummer, but it's a great thing to learn to do. It does take time and experience.

Drummers, GOOD drummers, are not always available, so you'll do a lot more playing if you learn to go without.

I always said I'd rather play with no drummer than with a bad one, any day.

ALiP BoB · #19 12-04-2006, 06:43 AM

Have a drum beat emulator or some sort at your effect pedals or rack.

chaosMK · #20 12-04-2006, 09:26 AM

That's a pretty good draw for a first show.

It happens man. My first show was at an outdoor party with about that many people. I had joined them for the last 3 rehearsals and felt pretty confident in myself. They decided to open the show with a cover that I had never even heard before. It was a rough 4 minutes! The rest of the show I played pretty lousy too, forgetting my bass lines and such. I dont think it helped my reputation much at the time.

6 years later, I'm still doing it!