Do you still get nervous before a gig?

[PB1962]

I've been playing bass for only eight years, even though my band isn't really big we've played a good amount of gigs during our history.

What I have noticed is that doesn't matter how many times I've played live before, I always seem to get really nervous before a gig, just like mine first time.

 

[uselessbass]

I been gigging around that long myself I don't get nervouse but my singer and guitar player still do so for some its prob always that way

 

[Slax]

I've been gigging for at least 10 years. I still get a nervious at new places with unfamiliar crowds. Once I'm up there on stage I feel okay. it's just the build up to being up there that gets me nervious these days.

 

[RandomBox]

I havent gigged at all yet but it seems like i would be nervous before one just from the way i am.

 

[PB1962]

Yea, I start to feel ok after the first 2-3 songs, it's when I kinda forget that I'm playing to a crowd.

 

[Shedua511]

Normally no, I don't. After 25 + years of gigs, I'm really calm before a gig.
Recently though I played in a duo with a vocalist, not my usual band setting, just Chapman Stick and voice in front of a pretty big, unfamiliar audience: I felt butterflies in my stomach before going on stage, which I really enjoyed!

 

[ma4rk]

I used to think it was nerves but it became excitement. Except my last band, it became a chore.

 

[Cyberbowser]

After 6 gigs I'm not nervous at all on the stage but my appetite goes away before playing.

 

[Bassic Playing]

Only if nerve inducing issues are happening like equipment screw ups etc

 

[Mike M.]

These days I only gig on Thursdays and once every three weeks at church. I don't get nervous on Thursdays at all, but sometimes I'm a shade nervous at church. For me, when you stop and consider who you're really playing for...it's like, "whoa!!"

 

[FretNoMore]

Just a little bit nervous, or maybe I'd call it concentrated. I'm more stressed about getting everything in place and checked out before the show starts than I am about my own playing though.

 

[remainthesame]

I was in chorus when I was in elementary school, so by the time I played my first gig, I had already had experience performing in front of a crowd. I may get excited for certain gigs, but nothing that I would call stress or nerves. I feel right at home on stage.

 

[SteveHeissner]

No. I play easy songs for drunks in dive bars. In my case there's no reason to be nervous. Now if Billy Sheehan and Marcus Miller showed up to critique my playing then I'd get nervous.

 

[Salamenster]

One or two minutes before going on stage. Then I get a bit the creeps. Not much, it's part of the fun.

 

[kerrycares]

excited, nervous energy even after 26 years of playing and performing

 

[MJ_Sotti]

yes.

 

[davidjackson]

Now if Billy Sheehan and Marcus Miller showed up to critique my playing then I'd get nervous.

Ha!

I bet I end up having that nightmare tonight. That I'm on stage and see Marcus, Larry Graham and Billy Sheehan sat in the front row all looking at me.

Instant warm trousers and wet shoes.

 

[FretNoMore]

That wouldn't worry me at all ... what would happen is they look at me for a few bars, then they go back to talking amongst themselves. "Nothing to see here people, move along!"

 

[funnyfingers]

I've never been nervous at all before a gig. The nervousness would come during the show, especially the first few songs. The fingers would even freeze up. But after just 3 shows, that completely went away.

 

[jrusidoff]

After playing for way over 30 years, I still get a bit of stage fright every time. I mentioned this to a buddy of mine who said, "That just shows that it still means something to you." I thought that was a good answer!