Nerves before a Performance

[buldog5151bass]

So you don't really have it so bad, do ya?

 

[Londo Molari]

Just play your bass and don't worry. Most of the audience will not notice if you are even there unless you stop.

 

[hsp-sandiego]

Sometimes my slap style gets a little off - tight, strange feeling in my right hand. not sure why..? The worst is rushing, if you have to set up a PA, get everyone what they need, singer setup, etc... Agree with others, alchohol helps.

 

[BluesWalker]

What do you do to combat nerves before a performance?......if anything

I have not had a case of nerves for years. I have confidence in my band mates and confidence in myself, and always look forward to the adventure.

 

[BluesWalker]

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.

Can't agree with this one. Just be prepared, have confidence in your self and band mates and then there should not be any worries.

 

[Space Pickle]

There's always some excitement leading up to a performance, but I before I started gigging regularly I had crippling, paralyzing stage fright. Like I could barely move my fingers. It's gone now.

 

[Gravy4001]

As everyone is saying, a slight case of nerves is totally normal as you step on stage and pickup your bass getting ready to hit. It should hopefully settle down after a few notes when you realize everything is cool and you start having fun. But remember, this is the whole thing we've been working for - all the practice, rehearsals, planning, hustling, promoting, shlepping gear, etc. etc. etc. - this is the final result, getting to perform in front of people, so enjoy the thrill and just do what you were meant to do.

After many years of live performances I'd probably say it's not so much nervousness that I'm gonna forget my part or something is going to go wrong, but more excitement and anticipation. So keep playing, it does get easier - or more manageable I guess. My current band keeps me busier than I've ever been in my life and the pre-show jitters have definitely subsided, which is cool cause I can take in the whole scene, the crowd, it's more excitement for what's about to come.

 

[Helix]

So does anyone get a little pre-gig nervous and then after the first note hits your attention has shifted to the music? Or are you kinda nervous during the whole gig?

 

[Turtle71]

So does anyone get a little pre-gig nervous and then after the first note hits your attention has shifted to the music? Or are you kinda nervous during the whole gig?

I have a TON of nerves before the show starts, and though they do settle a bit after the first song or two, I still am nervous the whole set...full blown panic? no, but still nervous.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I tend to be a little nervous until things start rolling along. Basically it is fear of making a mistake. But I have learned that I almost always make some mistake during a performance, and the world never stopped spinning. Not even once. So now I am much less nervous.

 

[hrodbert696]

The best way to get over performance nerves is to perform. Once you've done it a bunch of times, it stops being such a big deal.

Other than that, accept the fact that there will be mistakes and just keep playing. No one in the audience notices, and once the mistake happens, it's gone, poof, into the past. My mantra is "All that matters is the NEXT note." Push yourself hard in practice to be as perfect as possible and then go easy on yourself on stage.

-1 to the advice to use alcohol to deal with nerves. I'll have a beer at a gig because I like having a beer. Thinking of it as a way to solve a problem is not a healthy approach.

 

[Kmonk]

I have been gigging for over 30 years playing venues from small clubs to outdoor festivals in front of over 25,000 people. I really don't get nervous. I like to have a couple of beers before I play so maybe that's why I don't feel nervous, but even when I don't drink, I never get nervous.

 

[DirtDog]

I usually get a little bit of a pucker before a gig. I thrive on it.

 

[Kragnorak]

Lots of NFL and MLB players still throw up before every game.

And supposedly Tom from Slayer.

I don't know how to answer this poll. I don't really get nervous, but I do get enough nerves that I feel like I have to run to the little boy's room. Like another poster said, this usually goes away after the first note. But the size of the show matters as well. I'm not nervous during a wedding gig, but if I was going on as frontman in a large theater I easily might be nervous.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The times I am not nervous are the times I can tell I'm just going through the motions that evening.

 

[tubatodd]

My steady gig is a big band. The music is pretty easy and the first few concerts I had to sight read everything. I was probably nervous before the first gig with them 2 years ago. Now......it's more about excitement. I'm also more critical of myself now. My goal is to not only 'not make a mistake' but also play as musically and clean as I can. I follow the WWJPD (What would Jaco Pastorius do?) theory.

I've never played in a rock band in public. I would imagine, the first time I get a chance to do that.....YES.....I will be nervous.

 

[Fliptrique]

A gig in front of an audience? Not anymore.

In front of a teacher/fellow bassplayers - yeah, but nothing serious.

 

[bobdabilder]

Hope this helps. I've played a dozen gigs or so. my 6th or 7th gig was in front of maybe 1000 people. After one or two gigs, I've found that my nerves have settled quite a bit. Initially, i was nervous for a couple of songs. now, as soon as i'm in rolling along in the first song, my nerves go away. For me: counting and thinking ahead of where the next verse will take me always alleviates any nervousness. I learn the music so that I don't have to site read anything and I count through the structure like: this is repeat 3.... on number 4, i play that little fill......then it's a chorus three time....... Initially, i didn't make eye contact with the crowd. now, I do. I look at the drummer and lock in with him. I give the guitarist the nod of approval after his solo etc...... all of these things keep my mind busy so I don't think about my nerves. They're almost gone. Good luck!

 

[Big Hoss]

I have realistic expectations, as do my band mates, as to our abilities. We all have a sense of humor, and we are out there first and foremost to have fun, secondly to put on a show that the audience will enjoy. We have some goodies in the pocket as it were for the times when a string on the backup bass breaks you are using and your primary has a dead battery, or the guitarist trips over and rips his cord. The latter happened at the 2nd gig I did subbing for my current band, my spare was on the floor in front of my amp, so I kicked it as close to him as I could get while holding down a basic, solid groove and the vocalist went into a bee bop ish type talk about why they didn't go wireless. It was hard to keep up the groove and not laugh my tail off it was pretty funny...

So yeah, a sense of humor and realistic expectations do it for me...

 

[Helix]

Yeah a sense of humor and experience is a big factor in helping your nervousness.

But for some it never goes away even at the pro level, and have to resort to med's or even psychiatric help