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First gig jitters and questions...
- Thread starter phoenixjmw
- Start date
I've played around 2500 gigs, but I had a first one like everyone else. I remember it well.
Here's my advice (most of it already given by others):
1. Have fun.
2. Be ready, but don't try to achieve perfection. It won't happen and no one expects it anyway.
3. Ignore all mistakes (among other things, that means never stop playing because someone made a mistake).
4. Do NOT make a point of telling the audience it's your first gig. You can tell people afterwards, but going on about it creates all kinds of expectations in people's minds.
5. Have fun. There's a reason they call it "playing" music.
Here's my advice (most of it already given by others):
1. Have fun.
2. Be ready, but don't try to achieve perfection. It won't happen and no one expects it anyway.
3. Ignore all mistakes (among other things, that means never stop playing because someone made a mistake).
4. Do NOT make a point of telling the audience it's your first gig. You can tell people afterwards, but going on about it creates all kinds of expectations in people's minds.
5. Have fun. There's a reason they call it "playing" music.
Playing in an original band is a little more nerve racking IMO. After all you are revealing your art to the public which in itself is bad enough never mind the playing.
The good thing is that no one knows the material so unless you REALLY mess up a line no one will notice. Honestly most people don't know if you mess up anyway.
All I can suggest is make sure you know the songs and make sure your equipment is in top working order. Be proud of your band. You guys are writing and performing and that is a great feeling.
Be a little nervous. It makes you feel alive. Most importantly have fun and enjoy being in a band. There is nothing like it in the world.
The good thing is that no one knows the material so unless you REALLY mess up a line no one will notice. Honestly most people don't know if you mess up anyway.
All I can suggest is make sure you know the songs and make sure your equipment is in top working order. Be proud of your band. You guys are writing and performing and that is a great feeling.
Be a little nervous. It makes you feel alive. Most importantly have fun and enjoy being in a band. There is nothing like it in the world.
Don't forget to report back! Inquiring minds want to know. Did you play five 12 minute songs to fill the hour?
The band has been together two weeks and you're going to play an hour long set next week. That's ambitious. Get as many rehersals/practices in as you can. Nothing ever goes exactly how you want it to at a gig. Remember that and have fun with it.
edit: Don't be one of those bands that noodles between songs. Not a sound from the instruments until the song starts. Your audience will appreciate it.
edit: Don't be one of those bands that noodles between songs. Not a sound from the instruments until the song starts. Your audience will appreciate it.
Ha Ha Ha thats funny. I was just telling my drummer we will have to settle for the guitarist and singer's overflow and have to wait forthe one wierd chick that likes bassists/drummers. Figures she would have green hair too, lol.
This is why I am worried. Even our singer who booked it said last night he realized was getting ahead of ourselves. I guess all I can do now is be sure I have my stuff down I guess. But I wish it was just normal jitters and not I know we are in fact not ready jitters.
Oh and to clarify, we are a bit jammy so 6-10 minute songs. And it is a bit open how long we play, its an experiment for the venue too I hear. But now it looks like about an hour-hour and a half with 8-9 songs. Our singer is opening with an acoustic set so going to blend all together and see how it works.
Putting yourself into that particular situation is the best thing you can do. It's when we're under pressure that we focus better and thrive. If you mess up, ignore it and move on with the song. Only you and the cynical A-hole in the back corner of the audience will notice. But, who cares what he thinks? He already hated your band even before you stepped in the stage because he hates himself even worse.
Just promise me you'll not be the "Nervous bass player faints in the middle of first gig" video on Youtube.
Just promise me you'll not be the "Nervous bass player faints in the middle of first gig" video on Youtube.
First gig is like first time in "the sack", you can only prepare so much and need to just understand that it won't be perfect or your best performance of all time...and that's OK! Practice being on stage is the only way to improve and ward off the jitters you get, and it will definitely come with time.
Keep in mind though, if you are like me, being unprepared can still make you nervous no matter how many times you play. If you don't trust the guys you are playing with or trust yourself to know the songs at a comfortable level, it may show in your performance. This is your first gig though, and it may not be a bad idea to let the crowd know that up front. You'll probably get much more positive reception if people realize you guys are just getting your stage chops up.
All that having been said though, it IS your first gig and probably not a make or break situation. Just expect to have some mess-ups and a few off parts, just do the best you can! On my first gig, we played the songs too fast and didn't plan them out well enough so we finished too early. After that we had some light improv and things sort of fell apart...a little embarrassing, but we tore up our actual set because we practiced so hard. Mistakes happen, it's not the end of the world!
Just have fun!!
Keep in mind though, if you are like me, being unprepared can still make you nervous no matter how many times you play. If you don't trust the guys you are playing with or trust yourself to know the songs at a comfortable level, it may show in your performance. This is your first gig though, and it may not be a bad idea to let the crowd know that up front. You'll probably get much more positive reception if people realize you guys are just getting your stage chops up.
All that having been said though, it IS your first gig and probably not a make or break situation. Just expect to have some mess-ups and a few off parts, just do the best you can! On my first gig, we played the songs too fast and didn't plan them out well enough so we finished too early. After that we had some light improv and things sort of fell apart...a little embarrassing, but we tore up our actual set because we practiced so hard. Mistakes happen, it's not the end of the world!
Just have fun!!
Sig worthy.....
And true. You get all excited, you spend a bunch of time "practicing", it all happens in a whirlwind, it's over before you know it, and you sit there afterward in a stupor thinking "that was awesome, can't wait to do it again......"
First Gig, ever, It'll probably bomb. If you are ok with that, then whatever actually happens should be better than you expected.
For the most part people go to hear music to have a good time, the music is usually secondary. So don't make the music the focus.
Pack the joint with supportive friends and family.
The owner will love you even if the music sucks.
Other patrons will be less likely to boo you when 80% of the crowd is clapping.
You'll be more likely to interact with the crowd and make eye contact if they are friends and not strangers.
You will probably play every song way too fast, and be done in half the time you are thinking. So Take your time in between songs to acknowledge everyone, to tell a humorous story that is either relevant to the patrons or the upcoming song.
Don't rush.
For the most part people go to hear music to have a good time, the music is usually secondary. So don't make the music the focus.
Pack the joint with supportive friends and family.
The owner will love you even if the music sucks.
Other patrons will be less likely to boo you when 80% of the crowd is clapping.
You'll be more likely to interact with the crowd and make eye contact if they are friends and not strangers.
You will probably play every song way too fast, and be done in half the time you are thinking. So Take your time in between songs to acknowledge everyone, to tell a humorous story that is either relevant to the patrons or the upcoming song.
Don't rush.
If I were you I wouldn't 'over think'.
No doubt you will be nervous and excited before this gig and it used to get to me too.
Not to ramble but this may help you...
When I had my first gig in an originals band (1st gig anywhere) I was nervous and rather self conscious. I would have a couple of beers to loosen up and my brain would start to tick over...
'Oh crap, how does this song start again?'.... 'What if I forget this part?' 'Have I had too much/too little to drink?'
I used to get in a bit of a nervous state and over think about everything and I think It showed in my performances. Like wise if you think about your bassline too much whilst playing and panic that you might forget something you will have a tendency to mess up.
My advice would be that don't have too much drink (if you drink) and be yourself. Relax and don't worry what anyone is thinking. Although it may feel like you are on stage being looked at by everyone in the room it is not the case. I find it helpful to give good eye contact to the audience or even looking to the people at the back. It takes your mind off a lot of things you might be worrying about.
Lock in with the drummer and keep the groove going. Don't take unnecessary risks and enjoy it.
If you go into the gig with the attitude that you are not ready it may show. Just have fun and remember that you are nervous because you care about what you are doing.
After the 1st song I was shaking sometimes (I was a wimp I know), but I doubt you will be this bad. By the time you are a couple of songs in you will feel better.
Looking forward to hearing how it goes down, and the best of luck to you!
No doubt you will be nervous and excited before this gig and it used to get to me too.
Not to ramble but this may help you...
When I had my first gig in an originals band (1st gig anywhere) I was nervous and rather self conscious. I would have a couple of beers to loosen up and my brain would start to tick over...
'Oh crap, how does this song start again?'.... 'What if I forget this part?' 'Have I had too much/too little to drink?'
I used to get in a bit of a nervous state and over think about everything and I think It showed in my performances. Like wise if you think about your bassline too much whilst playing and panic that you might forget something you will have a tendency to mess up.
My advice would be that don't have too much drink (if you drink) and be yourself. Relax and don't worry what anyone is thinking. Although it may feel like you are on stage being looked at by everyone in the room it is not the case. I find it helpful to give good eye contact to the audience or even looking to the people at the back. It takes your mind off a lot of things you might be worrying about.
Lock in with the drummer and keep the groove going. Don't take unnecessary risks and enjoy it.
If you go into the gig with the attitude that you are not ready it may show. Just have fun and remember that you are nervous because you care about what you are doing.
After the 1st song I was shaking sometimes (I was a wimp I know), but I doubt you will be this bad. By the time you are a couple of songs in you will feel better.
Looking forward to hearing how it goes down, and the best of luck to you!
The few things that nobody mentioned until now:
- Sleep well the night before. Eat safe
- Pee and poo before you start playing
- Do NOT drink until the gig is over
- If you make a small mistake, repeat it so that it looks natural (doesn't always work)
- If you're not really enjoying the show because you're too nervous, try to look like you're having fun. Smile (it was already said 20 times), and try to move enough on stage (making sure it's not distracting you from your playing)
- Move your eyes around the crowd. You ARE playing for them, so show it if you can.
- Think well what you'll do between songs. You know...band intro, a little bit of talking to the audience, perhaps a suitable joke, a thank you, whatever you might say. It's a bit impersonal to go from you song to the next for 60 consecutive minutes.
- Don't feel down if people are talking to each other and paying very little attention to you. You're providing entertainment, and people have the right to enjoy it their own way. That usually includes a very fair share of talking to the guy/gal next to him/her. Live with it, as it happens all the time.
- Last but not least, you will probably have a great show. Make sure you have a friend/girlfriend/boyfriend taking good pictures, and hopefully recording a bit of video. It's interesting to see yourself on stage, and learn from it.
Like everyone already said, have fun. It's a great first-time experience, and you will remember it your whole life. Break a leg !!!
- Sleep well the night before. Eat safe
- Pee and poo before you start playing
- Do NOT drink until the gig is over
- If you make a small mistake, repeat it so that it looks natural (doesn't always work)
- If you're not really enjoying the show because you're too nervous, try to look like you're having fun. Smile (it was already said 20 times), and try to move enough on stage (making sure it's not distracting you from your playing)
- Move your eyes around the crowd. You ARE playing for them, so show it if you can.
- Think well what you'll do between songs. You know...band intro, a little bit of talking to the audience, perhaps a suitable joke, a thank you, whatever you might say. It's a bit impersonal to go from you song to the next for 60 consecutive minutes.
- Don't feel down if people are talking to each other and paying very little attention to you. You're providing entertainment, and people have the right to enjoy it their own way. That usually includes a very fair share of talking to the guy/gal next to him/her. Live with it, as it happens all the time.
- Last but not least, you will probably have a great show. Make sure you have a friend/girlfriend/boyfriend taking good pictures, and hopefully recording a bit of video. It's interesting to see yourself on stage, and learn from it.
Like everyone already said, have fun. It's a great first-time experience, and you will remember it your whole life. Break a leg !!!
ah all this reminds me of my first show... im gonna start giggin again.
best fun ever. you'll have a blast.
make sure all your gear works and that EVERYONE IS TUNE. preferably be able to do this silently somehwere so the audience doesnt have to hear you all twanging away.
you are gonna love it no doubt.
remember to let us all know how it goes!
(and i know this is contrary to common TB advice, a beer berfore the show isnt the worst thing in world.....)
best fun ever. you'll have a blast.
make sure all your gear works and that EVERYONE IS TUNE. preferably be able to do this silently somehwere so the audience doesnt have to hear you all twanging away.
you are gonna love it no doubt.
remember to let us all know how it goes!
(and i know this is contrary to common TB advice, a beer berfore the show isnt the worst thing in world.....)
My father’s advice was simple. “Someone will always like the band and someone will not.” and "Those that like it, great, and those that don’t… well that’s great to.”
oh and i dont know if anyone mentioned this earlier but do a pracitce some point before the gig as if you were performing live so you get used to all finishing songs together and going into the enxt one with minimal standing around looking confused waiting for someone to tell you what to do.
i include in this maybe all facing an imaginary audience in your practice space or whatever so you get used to not looking at each other all the time. maybe practice a few little dance moves/heroic lunges if you feel the urge.
my first band did this before our first gig at the advice of a guitar teacher and it really did make a difference with the smoothness of song transitions and realisiing how much eyecontact we relied on for changes..
i include in this maybe all facing an imaginary audience in your practice space or whatever so you get used to not looking at each other all the time. maybe practice a few little dance moves/heroic lunges if you feel the urge.
my first band did this before our first gig at the advice of a guitar teacher and it really did make a difference with the smoothness of song transitions and realisiing how much eyecontact we relied on for changes..
You guys are going to suck big time, I would say at least 2-3 mistakes per song is expected, your hands are going to be sweaty and stiff, heck your whole body is going to be like that, the first song your bass is going to be too loud, then the second song not so much, then it's going to go out of tune... but you guys are going to go through it and do high fives and have a laugh and a beer in the end, it is what it is, all bands and gigging musicians have gone through this and survive for it to happen again, it's your god given right to be nervous and go through this your first gig!
There is a big chance the audience will most likely not notice your mistakes so don't worry too much about those but more important: don't panic! Keep playing and finish the song, after each song look at your buddies with a "it wasn't that bad" kind of look, don't fight during the gig, don't dwell on those mistakes, move forward.
You'll be fine!
There is a big chance the audience will most likely not notice your mistakes so don't worry too much about those but more important: don't panic! Keep playing and finish the song, after each song look at your buddies with a "it wasn't that bad" kind of look, don't fight during the gig, don't dwell on those mistakes, move forward.
You'll be fine!
You think like I do, lol. Already said I fully expect to get in a car crash, break a leg and drop my bass...
