Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Hitting the stage .....Any Last Words?
- Thread starter velascorp
- Start date
Best not to over think things. Just get out there and play. Remember you are the bass player. 
"These people are here to have fun. They're depending on you to deliver. Don't screw it up. They are paying money for the opportunity to be entertained by you. They deserve your best. Now go out there and try not to make a fool of yourself by letting them down." Too harsh? Sorry. I never suffered from stage fright except at home in front of friends and family. I could play in front of a packed arena in front of thousands of strangers without any problems. If I see someone there I recognize, I'm done for. Never even needed the old "imagine them in their underwear" trick. Sorry not to be more helpful.
I try to stop and feel grateful that I've got a gig to feel nervous about. Then I try extend that to my bandmates, and the audience, and even the club manager who hired us and is hopefully going to pay us. I know that sounds corny, but for me it actually helps.
Another thing that works for me is to tell myself that I'm excited (happy) instead of nervous (afraid). I guess there's not that big a difference between the two, physiologically speaking, so if you can reinforce the excitement, you can be in that place instead of being anxious.
Oh, and one more thing: bourbon
Another thing that works for me is to tell myself that I'm excited (happy) instead of nervous (afraid). I guess there's not that big a difference between the two, physiologically speaking, so if you can reinforce the excitement, you can be in that place instead of being anxious.
Oh, and one more thing: bourbon
I'm lucky in that I don't really get stage fright. The closest I came was having a gnawing feeling in my guts and an adrenaline rush when my band was playing one particular show.
We:
We:
- Had a new singer that we had only rehearsed with once
- Hadn't played a live show in months
- Were playing a large venue with about a thousand people in attendance (by far our biggest show)
- Were opening for Fates Warning, a band that 3/4 of our band were heavily influenced by
- Got a sound check so we couldn't blame the soundguy if we sucked
- Didn't have a lighting person who knew our material
- Were playing to a lot of friends and family but also to many, many strangers who were going to be judging us based on how we played
Had, stage fright only the first or two appearances on stage. Since then before a show I just remind myself, im well prepared, have a beast bass and rig, and I just kill it at gigs.
That's the same with my two girls. They've been performing on stage since they were 8 years old and doing paid gigs since they were 12 and 9. Playing in front of people is just normal for them.
I have multiple mantras depending on the situation:
“Don`tthrowupDon`tthrowupDon`tthrowup!”
“Is my zipper down? I feel my zipper is down.”
“What`s the worst that can happen? Right?”
“I need a drink. No. I need several drinks”
“I`ve had too much to drink.”
“I wonder if the pretty girl in the front row is single.”
“Don`tthrowupDon`tthrowupDon`tthrowup!”
“Is my zipper down? I feel my zipper is down.”
“What`s the worst that can happen? Right?”
“I need a drink. No. I need several drinks”
“I`ve had too much to drink.”
“I wonder if the pretty girl in the front row is single.”
Did a string of live band karaoke, which was always a bit of a poopshow, because of the nature of the thing.
Before hitting the stage for the first set, we’d psych each other up with a encouraging round of “we who are about to die, salute you.”
Before hitting the stage for the first set, we’d psych each other up with a encouraging round of “we who are about to die, salute you.”
4 things:
1) Know your material - cold. Prepare your ass off for a long time beforehand. Pros' don't practice til they get it right; they practice until they can't get it wrong.
2) Earlier that day (tough for me as I have 6 AM call times, but I used to do this all the time when I was younger and got butterflies) work out, take along hike, whatever - nothing gets rid of nerves like exercise.
3) Do NOT take anything for the nerves (a beer, Xanax, etc.) This is not a solution - it's an additional problem, which will get worse over time if you're using it as a crutch.
4) Always pee before going on stage. Always.
1) Know your material - cold. Prepare your ass off for a long time beforehand. Pros' don't practice til they get it right; they practice until they can't get it wrong.
2) Earlier that day (tough for me as I have 6 AM call times, but I used to do this all the time when I was younger and got butterflies) work out, take along hike, whatever - nothing gets rid of nerves like exercise.
3) Do NOT take anything for the nerves (a beer, Xanax, etc.) This is not a solution - it's an additional problem, which will get worse over time if you're using it as a crutch.
4) Always pee before going on stage. Always.
Actors have a thing called a thumb check; if your thumb won't go between your fly and your belt you've done a zipper check but it doesn't look like one, you're just making sure your shirt is tucked in. Besides, your bass probably covers it anyway.
We do a three-way high five and all say "Hey, let's kick some a$$ tonight!" just before the first note! It acts like a switch.
We do a three-way high five and all say "Hey, let's kick some a$$ tonight!" just before the first note! It acts like a switch.
If you're properly prepared, you belong on stage. What is there to be nervous about?
Sure there's a little anxiety, and yes there were a few deep breaths as I stepped onto the stage for the first time with a bass, but ultimately, I was prepared and just acted like I've been there before. I get worked up a little when we have too much time to kill between sound check and down beat, but that not stage nerves it's: "Lets get this thing rolling!"
Just remember that nobody is rooting for you to fail - they all want to see you have a great show, which means they'll see a great show. If you're prepared, it's just another rehearsal - with people watching.
The real trick is managing how you react to unexpected issues.
Sure there's a little anxiety, and yes there were a few deep breaths as I stepped onto the stage for the first time with a bass, but ultimately, I was prepared and just acted like I've been there before. I get worked up a little when we have too much time to kill between sound check and down beat, but that not stage nerves it's: "Lets get this thing rolling!"
Just remember that nobody is rooting for you to fail - they all want to see you have a great show, which means they'll see a great show. If you're prepared, it's just another rehearsal - with people watching.
The real trick is managing how you react to unexpected issues.
Never stage fright but played in several places where I thought we might get our butts kicked or shot - that made me real nervous.
A little bit of hand sweat makes me play better for sure. I'll never get used to talking between songs on the radio though, that's the hardest one for me.
- Nov 30, 2009
- 878
- 195
- Disclosures
- Amateur. Take my advice for its resale value.
