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How do YOU deal with performance nerves?

#21
- Do it a lot. the first time I had to perform I was so nervous, I was on the verge of puking for a few hours before we started. Wasn't even that big of a show. Since that first show, things went a lot smoother, and the nerves that are present, usually leave as soon as the first note is played.

- Come prepared. Know your songs, know your lines, know your lyrics (if you sing). And most importantly: know that you know them. Having prepared well brings a certain relaxation with it that can't be bought.

- I personally try to get a few beers in me before the show, in moderation. Though I understand that sort of thing is frowned upon in churches. I don't want to get you kicked out or nothing, so I would not recommend that in your case.

Good luck!
 
#23
Also: your goal should not be to completely eradicate nerves. If you've succeeded in doing that, that means you just don't care anymore, and that can't be good news in something as emotional as music.

Most of the time I hear pro's talk about how they use their nerves, rather than how they got over them. They dive headfirst into them and embrace them, and a lot of the times, that is where genius comes from. That's what I read in interviews with stand up comedians, actors and whathaveyou, I can't imagine it being a lot different for musicians.
 
#24
Do whatever relaxation techniques work for you before big practices and the events. Over time, you want to associate these events with a sense of quiet focus.

My #1 technique - exercise - go for a 1/2 to 1 hour run or lift some weights to relieve stress the day of the event. If I do this regularly, my #2 - sleep habits -are better too. Regularly is at least 2-3 times a week.
 
#26
Rob22315 said:
Do whatever relaxation techniques work for you before big practices and the events. Over time, you want to associate these events with a sense of quiet focus.

My #1 technique - exercise - go for a 1/2 to 1 hour run or lift some weights to relieve stress the day of the event. If I do this regularly, my #2 - sleep habits -are better too. Regularly is at least 2-3 times a week.
Click to expand...

Great points. In my previous suggestions, I forgot to mention exercise on the day of the gig. I like to walk or run, if I feel the nerves getting to an uncomfortable level. (Some nerves are good, as Sinatra said.) Alcohol or other substances slow your reaction time, which isn't necessarily what you want when there's a lot of newness (new material, new setting, new musicians, etc., etc.)
As far as being prepared, I follow the principle that if I have to review any of the stuff on the day of the gig, it's too late. And "cramming" the night before isn't nearly as good as doing a little bit each day for days or weeks before the gig. You want to avoid having to actually *think* while you're playing.
 
#27
a couple of things that were/weren't mentioned.

when practicing, practice the parts for a little while, not too much, then play or do something else. this will help 10 fold in anything you do.

try to know the songs by memory the best you can, so you're not trying to read and follow the band. use the sheets as a reminder of what you already know.

practice with a click or disc as much as possible.

and the final one i'll finish with a little story. my band played this one bar about once a month or so, and every gig this loyale fan screamed for us to play rush. so we decided we'd learn a rush tune for him. limelight. not too bad of a tune, but we don't have band practices... and y drummer doesn't learn songs.
so the end of the song, right after the guitar solo there is some weird counting, and getting back into the chorus is kinda wierd. well we tried, live for about 3 minutes! complete train reck! the entire song was wrong, and that part was hard to listen to.

we messed up bad..... nobody noticed! we were complimented on it. just remember, even though the music directer could tell, nobody else can. anyone who can tell has made the same type of mistakes.
 
#28
v-grooves said:
Give the music director the "nice eye" and let him know you are not a paid full time employee or his 9 year old kid he can abuse. It probably isnt productive for him to yell at you, especially in front of your peers. That kind of stuff can turn away an otherwise good Christian and a dedicated player.

Sorry, I just get burned up a lil when I hear things like this.

V
Click to expand...


+1 here, which is why I got so irate on those ghastly Jeff Berlin threads - there's no excuse for behavior like I saw there especially from a virtuoso on our instrument.

I ran into a lot of these types when I was in high school also, people who called themselves "educators" and "band directors" when they were nothing of the sort - just mean little creatures suffering from delusions of grandeur complicated by a inferiority complex. I've walked out on several of these growling little morons and never went back.

Oh, am I ranting again? Yes, I think I am.

My personal approach would be to give the finger to the "music director" and go elsewhere for my instruction. There's nothing to learn from people like that.

It certainly doesn't help one's nerves either.

As for that, I was a performing artist (acting and music) for many years when I was a young man and never got over stage fright. The only way I could find to cope was just to go through it and do it anyway. As others have said, repeated exposure will lessen the nerves - it builds confidence and increases the familiarity of the performance environment. There aren't many mental tricks that really work and I don't recommend beer (I used that a few times when I was an actor).

I'd say that over time it'll diminish, tho it probably won't go completely away. Just keep on truckin' in the meantime would be my motto....

And above all, Just Say No to shouting, growling creeps. They're nobody you want to be associated with - stick with the good folks!

LS
 
#29
Ignore the production stuff. Just play your bass. Find your low end zen.



And I'm assuming that you are a fellow Christian with this one:

And most of all, make it about God. If you do something in His name, then nothing matters but that you are doing what you need to to glorify the Lord. Whatever you do in the name of Jesus will be blessed.
 
#30
Don't sweat the small stuff either. I just played my Church's Christmas thing with a virtuoso of the saxophone. A local jazz giant! Talk about pressure. I felt like such a screw up after practice and the show. (did I put to much rock and not enough swing in there? Did I miss this note? Did I gel with the drums enough, etc.) But, the guy came up to me later, and said that I did a very good job, especially for someone of my age. Lesson, you will always be your worst critic, and you need to relax and enjoy the experience of playing.
 
#31
unclejane said:
+1 here, which is why I got so irate on those ghastly Jeff Berlin threads - there's no excuse for behavior like I saw there especially from a virtuoso on our instrument.

I ran into a lot of these types when I was in high school also, people who called themselves "educators" and "band directors" when they were nothing of the sort - just mean little creatures suffering from delusions of grandeur complicated by a inferiority complex. I've walked out on several of these growling little morons and never went back.

Oh, am I ranting again? Yes, I think I am.

My personal approach would be to give the finger to the "music director" and go elsewhere for my instruction. There's nothing to learn from people like that.

It certainly doesn't help one's nerves either.

As for that, I was a performing artist (acting and music) for many years when I was a young man and never got over stage fright. The only way I could find to cope was just to go through it and do it anyway. As others have said, repeated exposure will lessen the nerves - it builds confidence and increases the familiarity of the performance environment. There aren't many mental tricks that really work and I don't recommend beer (I used that a few times when I was an actor).

I'd say that over time it'll diminish, tho it probably won't go completely away. Just keep on truckin' in the meantime would be my motto....

And above all, Just Say No to shouting, growling creeps. They're nobody you want to be associated with - stick with the good folks!

LS
Click to expand...

Amen to that.
 
#32
When I used to gig heavy, I found these things to be of use in regards to "Nerves".


1a. be prepared. this is done through diligent practice. one must 'know the show'. not kinda/sorta..KNOW the show. also, make sure you have the extras cables/batteries/strap/picks etc.. and
1b. WARM UP sonn! (what better way to work away some of the 'pre-game' nerves..)

2. be confident..if you do #1 it will help greatly.

3. visualize your success. this is the key.. (the crowd leaves when the show is over -or if its unbearable- so imagining them not there never worked for me. you can see and hear them, they are there; they want to be entertained..)

4. dont concern yourself with so many "what if I fail" thoughts... try instead, 'What if I NAIL this... song/phrase/solo' w/e.. (how did that make me feel? DAMN GOOD! own it monn!) it is far more productive to think positively IMO.

5. Breathe..the more you can control your breathing the more you will feel at ease. and the easier it will be to focus.

6. Have FUN.. if you do the first things in the list it should happen rather easily.

if you dont make it a big deal, it tends not to be one. the nerves will be present, its how you deal with them that makes the biggest difference.
 
#33
as everyone else has said - repeated exposure.

also the better prepared you are, the less nerves you should feel. get the music to a point where you can play it in your sleep and you want to vomit because you're so tired of the songs. now you can be nervous and still nail the tunes.

also you're gonna have to do lots of positive self talk. work on your self confidence. lighten up on yourself. if you're playing in church, recognize WHO you're ultimately playing for (it's easier playing for an audience of one than an entire church.)

but some nerves are common. i have played with rock stars and jazz stars and both have bouts of nerves at times. they're just so good and so much in command of their instruments that unless you really know them, you can't tell.
 
#36
I have two recommendations:

1. learn to breath properly to calm yourself down. In my early 20's (in 39 now) I suddenly developed anxiety and starting having panic attacks. After a long time of trying to figure out what was going on, I learned it was anxiety. Then after more research I learned I could calm myself very quickly with correct breathing because you tend to hyperventilate when you get anxious. Make sure you are breathing slowly with your diaphragm and not your chest.

2. Ask family and friends (even if its just one person) to sit while you get in front of them and play your parts. That will help you get some performance exposure.
 
#37
I agree with what the others have said.

I ALWAYS have the jitters before hitting the stage. I don't think that ever goes away. The good news is that after the first song or two I begin to relax and get into it and then all is good. Sure you will make mistakes, everyone does, so just know that it's going to happen and don't sweat it.

I read an interview with Iron Maiden back in the late 80's early 90's. The interviewer was talking about how the band is known for not messing up and sounding like the album live. Dave Murray (one of the guitarists) laughed and said somehting along the lines of "We mess up all the time! The trick is not stopping and staring at your guitar or having everyone in the band suddenly look at you. We just try to keep playing like nothing happened."

Just have fun playing live.
 
#39
See above. Only the rest of the band will notice usually. Church crowds especially are not usually very worried about the bass missing a note. Many of them don't really notice any particular instrument. Especially if you've got a lot of older ladies and gentlemen.
 

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