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Nerves before a Performance
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I haven't performed a lot, but I just think about the fact that if I screw up, my life isn't going to skew into some alternate reality. It just means I made a boo-boo. Life goes on.
I have been preforming for a long time, I always get a mix of nerves and excitement that disappears the second I play my first note.
I smear a mix of brylcreem and mandrax in my hair....
No, seriously, I usually have a couple of beers and do some meditation breathing exercises, doesn't take them away completely but help some.
I tried even to get to the point where I would panic to the degree where I forgot how a certain part of one of the songs sounded completely.
It reappeared as soon as we got to the part though.
And as the poster above me mine usually goes away as soon as the show starts.
No, seriously, I usually have a couple of beers and do some meditation breathing exercises, doesn't take them away completely but help some.
I tried even to get to the point where I would panic to the degree where I forgot how a certain part of one of the songs sounded completely.
It reappeared as soon as we got to the part though.
And as the poster above me mine usually goes away as soon as the show starts.
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I would usually make a clanger of a mistake within the first few bars, then everything after that didn't seem so bad. 
Set up, get a beer, drink two sips, then go into the first three songs that we always start with. Any nerves are gone in about eight bars.
Depends on the size of the audience..somewhere between 10 to 5000 eye balls, more or less, is manageable.
It's something that can be learned, to concentrate on the people on stage, ignoring all else. Most big shows I've done, there's as much distraction in the wings, the areas just off stage, as the audience. Besides with the lighting and all, you're lucky to see the first rows.
It's something that can be learned, to concentrate on the people on stage, ignoring all else. Most big shows I've done, there's as much distraction in the wings, the areas just off stage, as the audience. Besides with the lighting and all, you're lucky to see the first rows.
Just keep playing. If you perform enough you lose the stage fright.
s0c9
Supporting Member
Depends on the gig... mostly for bar/club gigs.. no.
On the larger "more important" ones.. yes.. a bit.. but it's usually caused by sitting around waiting - which I hate.
Once I get "going" I'm generally fine.
On the larger "more important" ones.. yes.. a bit.. but it's usually caused by sitting around waiting - which I hate.
Once I get "going" I'm generally fine.
I try to remember before going on stage that (for me at least) playing bass is like playing golf: Many memorable moments, occasional errant shots.
The key is to keep going, don't let an error ruin your game, and enjoy yourself.
In both endeavors, the best are called Pros and paid exceedingly well. Even they seldom approach perfection, except on very rare days.
Also, prayer helps.
YMMV
The key is to keep going, don't let an error ruin your game, and enjoy yourself.
In both endeavors, the best are called Pros and paid exceedingly well. Even they seldom approach perfection, except on very rare days.
Also, prayer helps.
YMMV
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If you aren't nervous, then you don't care. Nothing wrong with it. Remember what you know, play though some riffs to remind yourself you have it down.
I rarely have nerves before a gig. I found the best way to relax is to be double/ triple sure of all your bass parts. Your performance is the only thing you can control so do everything you can before the gig to ensure you have your material down. This greatly minimizes ( not eliminates) the potential for errors - also accept the fact that despite how much you practice before hand - there will be mistakes - maybe the stage is too dark and you hit the wrong fret - maybe you have a muscle spasm and fall to the stage flapping like a fish - these random occurrences will happen - that's what makes playing live so interesting - how do you respond to mistakes. Did the guitar player just extend the solo? Did the singer miss his cue to come in? Did the drummer drop a stick? A night on stage is worth a week in the garage and will make you a better musician. Embrace it and enjoy it.
That is not true, unfortunately I can't remember who, but I heard a great actor speak about his stage fright when acting in plays in theaters.
And I know for a fact that many professional performing artists, be it actors or musicians, has suffered from stage fright.
Beside as someone said, I think it is only good sign if you are having at least a moderate amount of nerves before performing.
Shows you care and make sure that you keep your alertness, general focus and concentration at your utmost when playing.
If it get's to the point of regular anxiety and stage fright it is of course rather unfortunately and a serious problem that potentially could ruin your career though.
When I was younger, I was never sober enough to be nervous. These days, I'm an English teacher. After spending the day with kids, gigs are a freakin' vacation.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
That's very true....you can say that for any sport where there's an audience
