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CURES FOR STAGE FRIGHT
- Thread starter guitardefector
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I once had a gig which involved getting up on stage after far too many beers (to be fair, it was a squat party, at 2:00 AM, January 1 2007), and not playing a single bass line correctly, though not too far off. I fell flat on my arse a couple of times and spilled my beer all over the place. I was a bit of a mess and found the whole thing rather embarrassing at the time.
Every time I looked up though, the entire crowd was moving and dancing, generally having a great time. This in stark contrast to a number of gigs I've played where the entire band were so tight it was unbelievable, but looking out into the crowd it seems like nobody has even acknowledged that there was a band present.
The point is that reception is so far out of your control that it's just not worth thinking about. You have good gigs, you have bad gigs, the way to cure stage fright is to play all of them to the end and book more. What's the worst that could happen? Someone telling you that you suck?
Oh, and for God's sake, enjoy yourself!
Every time I looked up though, the entire crowd was moving and dancing, generally having a great time. This in stark contrast to a number of gigs I've played where the entire band were so tight it was unbelievable, but looking out into the crowd it seems like nobody has even acknowledged that there was a band present.
The point is that reception is so far out of your control that it's just not worth thinking about. You have good gigs, you have bad gigs, the way to cure stage fright is to play all of them to the end and book more. What's the worst that could happen? Someone telling you that you suck?
Oh, and for God's sake, enjoy yourself!
I used to have severe stage fright. I couldn't talk (or perform) to more than a handful of people without getting all woozy. Then, it hit me: No one really cares. They're thinking about themselves, or the girl/guy they want to hit on, or the laundry they have to do, or the stock market. The last thing they are concerned with is, "Hey, did that bass player just play a quarter note, when clearly the eighth note, palm-muted, was the better choice, in this instance?"
Relax. There was a show years ago on the TEEvee about people who were painfully shy. They had the afflicted person go out onto a street corner in midtown Manhattan, in the middle of the day, and scream the time of day, at the top of their lungs: "HEY EVERYBODY, IT'S TWO EIGHTEEN!" The lesson they learned was: "Nobody really cares."
Smile. Laugh. Talk with your band-mates. Talk with the audience. It isn't a firing squad you're facing, it is a bunch of folks who want to have a good time. We had a "command performance" gig a few years back. Before our drummer's father died, he asked that we play at his memorial. BEST gig we ever played. Why? Well, my opinion is that we all figured, "No one is expecting a live band at the funeral. What do we have to lose?" Nailed it. (Not the coffin, but you get the idea.)
Relax. There was a show years ago on the TEEvee about people who were painfully shy. They had the afflicted person go out onto a street corner in midtown Manhattan, in the middle of the day, and scream the time of day, at the top of their lungs: "HEY EVERYBODY, IT'S TWO EIGHTEEN!" The lesson they learned was: "Nobody really cares."
Smile. Laugh. Talk with your band-mates. Talk with the audience. It isn't a firing squad you're facing, it is a bunch of folks who want to have a good time. We had a "command performance" gig a few years back. Before our drummer's father died, he asked that we play at his memorial. BEST gig we ever played. Why? Well, my opinion is that we all figured, "No one is expecting a live band at the funeral. What do we have to lose?" Nailed it. (Not the coffin, but you get the idea.)
Same here.
At least I'm not the only one!
Think of the bass and your gear as props, a mask, whatever works, but realize that you are good at this and the audience probably wishes they were too.
Just do what you're good at, get into the groove, and enjoy the songs.
Don't worry about making mistakes, I've long given up on expecting a perfect night, it doesn't happen.
Learn to cover the mistakes quickly, and take the good with the bad.
'sides... if you royally destroy a gig in a bad way...
... 5years from now you'll look back at it and laugh. It WILL have some little place in your heart.... and the crowd there won't remember.
... 5years from now you'll look back at it and laugh. It WILL have some little place in your heart.... and the crowd there won't remember.
If you are not the front man, look at your bandmates and move around on stage and interact with them. Use that nervousnes and jump around and get into what you are playing. Don't stare at your shoes or your neck all night. Know what you are playing! If you know your parts, you won't be worried about making mistakes!
in the beginning I spent time playing to the guitarist or drummer, eventually I started turning myself towards the crowds, now I don't even think about it, it went away with playing time.
very important; if you are gonna screw up stay in key if possible. and keep rollin with the tempo.
another good idea is to start of your set with a song that everyone nails everytime. get the first song out of the way and then get down to business with the rest.
BTW- 2 beers is perfect; puts you in the zone. not 3. 2.
Record your live show. Seing yourself stiff and terrified and looking down will intantly instill in you the need to move and enjoy yourself. Frankly, you look dumber trying not to look dumb.
Also, I wnat to echo the "play lots of shows" sentiment. I very rarely play a show that someoen doesn't tell me it was the best they've ever seen my band. I also very rarely agree- which means that they don't notice screw ups. So, no need ot be nervous.
Also, I wnat to echo the "play lots of shows" sentiment. I very rarely play a show that someoen doesn't tell me it was the best they've ever seen my band. I also very rarely agree- which means that they don't notice screw ups. So, no need ot be nervous.
I think geting aquiesced to the stage at a young age is the best cure. When you're young you have no pre-concieved notions of the things that cause stage fright once you grow older. You're just up there singing/acting without a care in the world. If it's kept up, by the time you're in a band setting, the stage is second nature.
To be honest though, a little anxiety or fear is a good thing. Personally, whenever i play with bigger acts i still get butterflies.
To be honest though, a little anxiety or fear is a good thing. Personally, whenever i play with bigger acts i still get butterflies.
Man - reading these posts tell me that some of you have nervousness, but never had a true panic attack on stage.
There is no "look at the drummer" or "move around" that will help. When I started playing in my church band I was fine - nervous but fine. Over a period of about 6 months this turned into completely not being able to play on stage period. Meaning I could barely stand up I felt so dizzy and out of it.
I left the band 5 months ago now - this anxiety still hasn't left me. I continue to play music because I feel this urge to play (working on piano and just came back to bass) but sometimes even when it's just me practicing my hands shake. I don't know why - I wish I could get over it. Playing for my piano teacher gets me extremely nervous.
Even after reading "Effortless Mastery" and especially the sections about fear based playing I am no better. While I'd like to enjoy playing on a stage/in a band - there is just no way at this point.
not sure really where to go with it. Got to be a mental issue...but it won't budge.
There is no "look at the drummer" or "move around" that will help. When I started playing in my church band I was fine - nervous but fine. Over a period of about 6 months this turned into completely not being able to play on stage period. Meaning I could barely stand up I felt so dizzy and out of it.
I left the band 5 months ago now - this anxiety still hasn't left me. I continue to play music because I feel this urge to play (working on piano and just came back to bass) but sometimes even when it's just me practicing my hands shake. I don't know why - I wish I could get over it. Playing for my piano teacher gets me extremely nervous.
Even after reading "Effortless Mastery" and especially the sections about fear based playing I am no better. While I'd like to enjoy playing on a stage/in a band - there is just no way at this point.
not sure really where to go with it. Got to be a mental issue...but it won't budge.
Sticking it out and playing LOTS of gigs 
The butterflies aren't totally gone, but I don't want them to be.
The butterflies aren't totally gone, but I don't want them to be.
I like this^
In the band I play with most, frontman/guitar is nearly deaf,
and therefore never hears anything I yell at him on stage
the drumber plays so hard that he almost always drags and cannot keep a beat,
the other guitar player has never known many of the correct chords.
The singer is amateur and will attempt anything even if unknown and out of range with the usual results.
She has guts but sings with her throat.
When there are other musicians in the audience,
it could be embarrassing. I consider it a challenge.
I cannot count the number of times I have been given
powerful and wonderful compliments from very good musicians.
I have to WORK HARD at keeping this potential trainwreck together.
If I do not push (and push very hard!) it all falls apart.
If I fail to push, there is no room for the frontman/guitarplayer to take a lead and establish and keep the crowd roiling.
When I take off for a solo/lead, I must carry everything
and play despite the drumber.
I wear strong earplugs against the insanity. Many times I do not hear or even know what the next song will be.
I must be fleet of wit and finger and wing it.
Under this training, I have developed the ability to lead while following (the frontman/guitar).
I learned a lot from a wonderful cat (feline-type, originally feral) who was with me for 22+ years.
This particular cat followed by leading. I took him camping often; the owls were fascinated by him.
He never looked at any of the many fires, he just watched out into the darkness, alert.
I perform at the leading edge of the stage and make contact with the audience. I smile and laugh a lot, do a Claypool stomp sometimes,
and make eye contact, searching out for musicians in the audience.
They are easy to spot. I see them counting the beat, pointing and laughing, and marveling at the raging crowds. I love it.
I have played under these circumstances for a few years.
When it works (that is to say, when I make it work) it is pure magic.
It is all up to me with a little help from the frontman/guitar.
He and I work well together. I would be long gone were it not for him.
In fact I can't imagine any bassist I know handling this chaos -- and this band has been through very many before me.
I know this is all long-winded and so forth.
I do not have time to experience stage-fright.
I get very excited while playing.
The feeling of having pulled it off once again at the end of the show is indescribable.
Again, what NickInMesa said:
Who knows what happens once you die. This may be your only shot.
~
Every time Im nervous, I think one of two things to myself
"These people all have normal jobs."
"Im leaving these peoples dream"
"These people all have normal jobs."
"Im leaving these peoples dream"
Hello all. I know I'll get lots of "duh" answers on this one but I'm gonna ask it anyway. What cured you of "stage fright". I'd love to hear everyone's unique story and tips.
Getting through the first song and moving on through the set. By about song 3 the nerves have settled down and I can get on with the show.
Thing is I hope those butterflies never go away. If they do it means I no longer care about playing music for people, and I'm no longer concerned if I/we do well. The day that I no longer get nervous before a show will be a sad day.
Oh and KNOWING YOUR PARTS helps immensely. If you know the material inside and out you have very little to be afraid of.
Rituals usually are useful to get you there, the state of mind, the necessary physical condition to be performing onstage. I wasn't at all methodic about this but 2 years ago I became a singer (still bassist) of a band and had to create my own ritual for relaxing and warming up. About 45 minutes before each show I drink no less than 1/2lt. of water, some of us lights some joint we share (not for everyone, I know), I drink a cup of coffee with a shot of Baileys irish cream (very soft milky liquor, gets your pharynx started) and dress up. So I have the last half hour to stretch, warm up (not much on bass to be honest, mostly vocals) and have quiet chat with the rest of the guys, crew and occasional visitors. It's all about getting in the mood. Being comfortable (which obviously is not drunk nor stoned) also helps you give your best. Also try to start your set with songs that don't pose a challenge to your technical skills.
hams don't even have hands how can they play bass they don't speek english how are you posting on this forum
get of here, ham, you are delicious
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Hello all. I know I'll get lots of "duh" answers on this one but I'm gonna ask it anyway. What cured you of "stage fright". I'd love to hear everyone's unique story and tips.
I think you should try get over it and embrace it.Play live as much as you can...stage fright will only be coming along for a little while and then find someone else to anoy.
It helped no one came to my first shows way back in highschool. Then, we got a break and played at a battle of the bands and got a small following. At the battle of the bands I was a bit nervous, but I was set up on the second stage and the lighting sucked. So, I just hid in the corner and the singer and guitard took all the light and show.
After that I didn't get stage fright anymore because I knew the other two frontmen would be flashy and keep the crowds attention. I was happy in the pocket. UNTIL.....
We got a small promoter to snag us a gig at a small festival. Luckily, it was in the winter and inside. Watching the crowd grow before our time on stage really got me nervous. It was a new league for a young bass player like I was. However, once I walked out on stage, the lights were so bright, that I couldn't see the crowd and I tricked myself into thinking they weren't there. Music starts, lights would dim, but I was still blinded by them beaming in my face that it helped fool me into how many people were actually out there.
Everything after that was cake. Just sharing my experience to let you know we all go through it in some degree or another. Time and experience are the best cure. Get out there, enjoy yourself, enjoy your music and never take for granted how incredibly cool it is to be a musician playing on a stage that other people came to look at.
Hams... they just gotta crash every party...
After that I didn't get stage fright anymore because I knew the other two frontmen would be flashy and keep the crowds attention. I was happy in the pocket. UNTIL.....
We got a small promoter to snag us a gig at a small festival. Luckily, it was in the winter and inside. Watching the crowd grow before our time on stage really got me nervous. It was a new league for a young bass player like I was. However, once I walked out on stage, the lights were so bright, that I couldn't see the crowd and I tricked myself into thinking they weren't there. Music starts, lights would dim, but I was still blinded by them beaming in my face that it helped fool me into how many people were actually out there.
Everything after that was cake. Just sharing my experience to let you know we all go through it in some degree or another. Time and experience are the best cure. Get out there, enjoy yourself, enjoy your music and never take for granted how incredibly cool it is to be a musician playing on a stage that other people came to look at.
Hams... they just gotta crash every party...
