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03-04-2009, 02:59 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville | | | "Legal"drugs for performance anxiety
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My wife sings alot and takes a prescription drug 1 to 2 hours before a show to "calm her nerves". I haven't performed in 15 years but finally have a show coming up. In my younger days I would get the shakes so bad I could hardly play. The rest of my band is semi-pro and used to performing. I'm worried about myself. I get nervous just thinking about it!
Does anyone else take anything to "calm the nerves?"
(hope this thread is in the right spot) |
03-04-2009, 03:00 PM
|  | Supporting Member | | Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 3rd stone from the sun | | | 1-2 beers. Seriously.
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03-04-2009, 03:05 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC | | | That's a tuff one ... I don't know what to recommend ... what is giving you the shakes? ... unsure of your part? |
03-04-2009, 03:06 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville | | | not an option I'm afraid, its an all day, outdoor, family event. We will be alternating sets with another band. I'm mostly worried about the first few notes of the first song. |
03-04-2009, 03:11 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Takoma Park, MD (DC) | | | I'd recommend a simple meditation exercise instead of any drug. Sit comfortably with your back straight, feet flat on the floor. Close your eyes. Take a few long, slow, deep breaths. Now 'scan' your body slowly from head to foot and try to locate any tense muscles. Shoulders? Hands? Calves? When you find some tension, try to release it. Be aware of what is happening in your body at that exact moment.
When you're on stage, you can continue to do this: If you notice any tension in your body, release it. If you notice anxious thoughts arising, try to let them pass through your mind without stopping, like someone walking across the stage in front of you. Don't argue with them or agree with them, just let them pass by. Breathe, relax physically, and play music - which is a beautiful, magical thing.
Also remember that no one will die if you play a wrong note. It's just music.
HTH |
03-04-2009, 03:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nashville | | | I cant figure out how to get your quote in here dbassman50 but, I guess its just performance jitters run amok! I know from experience that if I can get through the first 60seconds I'll be fine, but those first 60 seconds.......... |
03-04-2009, 03:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Duke City | | | One or two and you're 'relaxed'. |
03-04-2009, 03:19 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: West Side SA | | try some bananas and read the book, "Inner Game of Music" 
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03-04-2009, 04:03 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Whitmoretucky MI | | | Do whatever you need to do to relax
Beer
Couple shots
valum
a smoke
Play at some open mic nights, get out there and use to playing. Most of us get nervous, but that gives me inspiration and I feed off of that. Everyone is different. |
03-04-2009, 04:22 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mudsock,Ohio | | | Coffee on the way there and a beer after I'm set up and tuned.
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03-04-2009, 04:24 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham AL | | | Legal all depends where your at! |
03-04-2009, 04:30 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Michigan | | Quote:
Originally Posted by sedan_dad  Coffee on the way there and a beer after I'm set up and tuned. | i prefer a couple jager bombs ... same effect really.
can you just get one of those prescription pills from your wife?
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03-04-2009, 04:39 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Jersey | | | Im not relaxed until im playing. thats my drug. |
03-04-2009, 05:31 PM
| | Registered User
Sponsored Artist: Free Idea Clothing | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Athol, MA | | | If you think you need a prescription...go for it. But I would try getting onstage before you waste money on pills. I used to get really tense before i got onstage, and after a while you just get used to it.
I would try the meditation method. It usually works well for me. |
03-04-2009, 05:50 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: scotland | | | a lot of musicians and "public speakers" get prescribed a beta blocker called propranolol for stage fright over here in the UK
not something ive ever needed, but apparently this controls your anxiety without the negative side effects older classes of drugs or booze
id be interested to hear more about what makes you so nervous tho, since its something ive just never been affected by
cheers
froovs |
03-04-2009, 05:58 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Michigan | | Quote:
Originally Posted by froovs a lot of musicians and "public speakers" get prescribed a beta blocker called propranolol for stage fright over here in the UK
not something ive ever needed, but apparently this controls your anxiety without the negative side effects older classes of drugs or booze
id be interested to hear more about what makes you so nervous tho, since its something ive just never been affected by
cheers
froovs | negative side effects of booze?
...i kid, i kid.
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03-04-2009, 06:21 PM
| | | | A few minutes before you start, turn your back to the audiance, face your rig and the drummer. Start the first song and stay that way until the anxiety passes.
Or you could close your eyes. |
03-04-2009, 06:23 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, NY | | | If this is really that bad of a problem, I would talk to a doctor to get an anti-anxiety medication such as one of the benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, etc) |
03-04-2009, 06:52 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by gregoire1 I cant figure out how to get your quote in here dbassman50 but, I guess its just performance jitters run amok! I know from experience that if I can get through the first 60seconds I'll be fine, but those first 60 seconds.......... | Practice the hell out of your first song ... write the opening chords on your wrist or something ... Don't worry about the jitters ... I'm confident you'll get through!! We are pulling for you buddy!!! Let us know how your gig goes!!!
Rock'em solid !!! |
03-04-2009, 07:04 PM
|  | Layin' Down Time
Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Omaha, Nebraska | | | Practice.
Relaxation/visualization.
Play.
If you're only worried about the first few notes, you're fine - you do NOT need to ingest some chemical into your system for that. It's just normal.
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