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I blacked out

#21
Thombas said:
OK Bassteban, you've got me convinced: I have a party-cover-gig Saturday at a 60th birthday or something, this time with soloing-with-bass-behind-the-head (hope the tux allows that kind of arm movement) and some seeeeerious stage-diving :D:D:D
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Oh heck yes! I suggest complete & utter reckless abandon for any birthday celebration after 40. I also predict it will go over very well. Please post pics or at least a sort report. :)
 
#23
My first gig was in front of 100-150 people, which was overwhelming. I decided to just play the thing as best as i could and ignore the crowd.

If you're a regular church visitor, try if you can set up a church-band or so. it'll make you more confident as well.
 
#25
Jeroen91 said:
Tonight I had a small gig at my church. Around 15 people there a guitar player and me on bass would lead it. My first gig ever and I totally blacked out. I faked through it completly after I realised I wouldn't make it and set my amp at a lower volume so no one would hear it. Is there anyone here that has some tips and tricks for me so this never happens to me again ?
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Get a set list, compose the bass lines on paper, and bring a music stand with what you practice to put it on the stage next to you. You can't take it for granted that you will do well. You have to work hard at it. The trouble is when people change up the set list to songs you don't know, you might have trouble. Look to the guitarist then.
 
#26
I've never gone blank for long ... but ... just last night was playing a dance with a country band as a fill-in bassist, came back into the verse after the guitarist ripped a great solo ... and literally forgot what the hell key we were in! I was lost for two measures until I caught sight of the keyboardist's left hand. We had a good laugh about it during the break. It happens. No one died. All's well.
 
#27
I still occasionally blank out. Not because of nerves, but because my memory is shot! The key is not to panic. Stay calm and walk over to another player to figure out where to jump back in. Guessing at notes is worse than playing no notes. Generally, the audience won't know what's going on as long as you don't make it apparent by playing something very off. If you are concerned about the audience's perception, you can always make a scowl at the guitar player as if he/she is playing something divergent. Be sure to make this face in a direction that the audience can see you but your bandmate cannot.
 
#30
Blanking out happens from time to time. It doesn't have to be related to nerves. Sometimes your brain just goes blank. It happened to me last week at practice. Songs that I've played hundreds of times before suddenly were giant stumbling blocks as I couldn't remember how to play them. I recommend a large meal of raw salmon earlier in the day or the night before... For whatever reason it usually helps my brain function more smoothly... Almost like a lubricant for my thoughts and memory. I dont know why this works but it does!
 
#32
I'd give it up if I didn't feel nerves before a gig - its the adrenalin that keeps you wanting more and makes you a better performer.
Always start with a song that you know backwards and it'll all fall into place from there. We all make mistakes - like the guys here say - you just get better at covering up...
 
#33
My mistakes in church usually send fits of laughter through the me and the rest of the band because of the mortified look the keyboard player/music minister gives me when she hears them lol. She tried to kick me once (I stand behind her) for slapping during a song that I wasn't "supposed" to. Good thing we've grown up together or I'd probably get fired. :D
 
#36
It's only happened bad to me once, my brain just literally couldn't tell by fingers what to do. It almost put me off playing ever again, but it turned out to be an isolated incident. A lot of other stuff was in my brain at the time and instead of music being a refuge it was just one thing too much (this was after about 20 years of gigging, BTW). I sometimes get migranes that change the order my words come out in, maybe the same neural pathways were at fault.

The point is, don't let it put you off, it might not happen again. If you know what you are doing, most of the time you'll be OK. You've had your crisis, you should be good for 20 years!
 
#37
it used to be that my hands would shake violently before i played. so i just took firm hold of my instrument and played even harder to compensate. i got over it.

then i started with a new band and the first couple of shows had me a little nervous. new material, new guys. im fine now.

clear your head before getting on stage. do some stretches. make a mental list of everything you have to do and make sure you're prepared. do i have all my stuff? yep. do i remember that one part in the bridge of that song? yep. will anyone notice if i biff a note? not a chance.

in time, people will PAY you because you're flawless. they might pay you even if you arent. ive seen some ridiculously sloppy bands that are signed and filthy rich. coheed and cambria and story of the year used to be insufferable live. they realized this and cleaned it up a bit. now they are 2 of my favorite bands to see.
 
#39
RustyAxe said:
No one died. All's well.
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I love this! I'm going to have to use it myself after my next clam bake. Lot's of good advice in here. Our lead guitarist lives by "play it again and call it jazz" but somehow I think that maxim is a bit tougher for bassists unless you happen to be soloing. I also try to remember a Zappa quote, which I can only paraphrase: You're a musician, not a music critic. Just stick to playing music, leave the critique to others.

I also remember lessons from sports, especially tennis and golf - forget the bad shots, and forget the great ones, too. Just concentrate on the next shot and staying loose and in the moment. Fun thread though. The "fart in church" line is priceless, but I go the other way- ignore the audience if I feel tight, I even close my eyes. Lets me focus on the sound.
 

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