Song starting panic

[Swerve]

I had a serious brain fart on a new song at a gig. It started and I was in no man’s land. Couldn’t remember the song to save my life. I went over and fiddled with the amp knobs pretending it was an equipment issue. About midway through the song my brain came online and I finished it fine.

Worst part is someone uploaded it to YouTube. Luckily I’m not in that band anymore and I’ve never shared it with anyone. It has hardly any views. Lol

 

[LowActionHero]

I used to have that exact same problem. Still do if it's a couple songs I don't know well. I had to make a cheat sheet with the key and first couple chords to get me started. If i was playing drums i would make a note like it starts on the ride goes to the high hat, etc

 

[grubdumpling]

I used to get this same panic, but after years of suffering, I learned to have faith in myself. I do know the songs, and the panic only makes me hesitate. I still get that moment of "I don't know what to do now", but It makes me smile, knowing that when the time comes I will get it.

 

[sheesh]

Two things:

- That little bass fill at the beginning of "Don't Dream It's Over" (new song for our band) (oh it drop it down to D, so, 5 string or 4, hmm), for some reason is messing with my head and I have not nailed it yet, (I mean coming in on time, I can play it), and
- For new songs I try to create 9x9 grids and write all the chords in. The first column is for Intro, Verse 1, Chorus 1, Bridge, etc.... then there are 8 columns to write in the chord changes for the song. I HAVE used these live, and it's better (being the bass player) being right about the changes than (messing) up and everyone looks at the bass player - HA HA you messed up the band loser

 

[Jay2U]

Put the first measure of each song on your setlist. Tape the list to the floor or your cab.

 

[newfuture]

I do a lot of fill in gigs where this can be an issue. All my set lists have the first bass note written next to the song title. Large print. Also put any notes on the list if there are surprises in the arrangement.

 

[wjcstp]

I’ll sometimes put my starting bass note next to each song on the set list, especially for songs that are new or that I get mixed up. Usually the first note is enough to get me on track if I’m not on top of it mid-set

 

[Pings Bass]

I have this problem, and I don't have the rocker's aversion to charts on stage. So if the chord charts aren't enough, I write the parts down. When I flip to the next song, there are the notes on the staff that I'm going to play next. This doesn't mean I don't mess up, because I do, especially if I'm tired. But writing stuff down makes all the difference.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

My tips.

Write the key signature of the song next to the song title. eg. Am

Add “Starts on E” for any songs that DON’T start on the same note as the key of the song.

Add “BASS INTRO” if I am the intro.

Add “Start Bar 8” if I don’t play until bar 8.



Eg.
D. Stuck In the Middle with You. Start bar 4 Bass fill.

D. Proud Mary. Start CCA CCA

Gm. Long Train Running. Start end bar 3, bass fill.

D Reelin’ In The Years. Start on G.

C. Have you ever seen the rain. Start bar 4, bass fill AGEEG

Am. Are you gonna be my girl (by Jet). BASS INTRO.

If you’re nervous and missing intros this is the best advice you’ll get.

When I was just starting out live I feel like I was sweating transitions, but a lot of the time I will (silently) find my starting note and think through the first few measures in my head. Usually good once the others start going.

 

[rickwrench]

Nothing wrong with a cheat sheet taped to the side of your amp.

Or bass.

 

[DaveParker39]

"How does that one start again?"

"Its a doo-doo-kah-kah"

 

[rogerb]

Take a few seconds between songs, relax and think about the song. For a song I might think, intro like this, remember during guitar solo different, ending weirdness, intro like this... ok let's go! The list gets shorter the more I play a song but intro and inconsistencies probably always on the list.

 

[dougjwray]

Me too buddy. It's usually OK, until once in Jackson, Ms. 35 years or so ago, I got a one-night pickup gig. Sort of embarrassing to ask BB King to hum a few bars.

"'The Thrill is Gone'? Don't know it. Can you hum a few bars?"

 

[Skystalker512]

I can memorize my parts pretty well; it's locking in with the tempo beforehand that's difficult

 

[boombloom]

This has been a concern of mine for more than 40 years. It's good to know I'm not the only one. I struggle to connect names and songs. A set list with key and first lyric usually does the job, but I play lots of instrumental bluegrass and fiddle tunes. On those I jump on bass in after the first couple melody notes and no one seems to mind.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

My problem, kind of like yours, but i would forget changes. I just played the sh-- out of them until i got it.

 

[HolmeBass]

I can memorize my parts pretty well; it's locking in with the tempo beforehand that's difficult

For this singing a bit of the chorus/main vocal hook, if the song has one, is a good hack for me.

But if a tune gives us too much trouble we’ll pick a tempo in r/h and the drummer uses the metronome on his phone to get & set the tempo at the top.

 

[KenSmithFan]

I can memorize songs pretty well, given enough practice.
When playing live, once I get started on a song I can autopilot pretty much without problem.

The problem is, when going from one song to the next, I sometimes have trouble remembering how the song starts.
After the first few notes I'm off and running, but remembering those first few notes sometimes sends me into a bit of a panic.
The title doesn't always help. When the bass doesn't come in till after a few bars, I breathe a sigh of relief.
I usually have some sort of little written cue for myself but it would be nice to do without it.

Anyone else can sympathize? Any suggestions?

Michael

This book will revolutionize how you practice. Learning how to play something and learning how to recall what you learned are two different things. She covers them both.

My only regret about this book is that I didn’t read it years ago.

 

[brianrost]

When I forget how to start a song it usually means I can’t remember any of it

 

[joeLowB]

View attachment 7388618

This book will revolutionize how you practice. Learning how to play something and learning how to recall what you learned are two different things. She covers them both.

My only regret about this book is that I didn’t read it years ago.

Totally agree on this book. She really nails the recall and the "performance panic" elements very practically.

The book has massively shaped my practice routine.