Stage fright

[Slade N]

i only get nervous when its just me, as in playing solo.

 

[Wasnex]

Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong section. I'm curious what tricks you've learned to combat stage fright. I played many years ago, but usually only in garage band settings. We did gig a few times, but every single time, I had almost crippling stage fright.... To the point of fingers locking up, etc. I always enjoyed playing, and will be getting a whole new rig in a week or so after a 15 year hiatus.
What caused me to want to get back into it (beside the fact that I've always been obsessed with music and bass lines) was an invitation to be one of the backup bassists in my church band (new age church, great music, great band). Rather than playing to a group of 50-100, I would be playing in front of 800-1000 people twice on each Sunday that I play. I had to GC almost every weekday during lunch to check out different , and narrow down my final selection (it's only 2 miles from work), but I picture myself standing in front of that huge crowd, and start doubting myself. Having the ability to play the music isn't the issue. Can anyone else relate to what I'm feeling, or am I the only one? I'd you've experienced something similar, how did you get over it?

I am sure others share your experience.

Google exposure therapy...maybe you can work the issue out yourself or maybe you will need a therapist to guide you.

Exposure therapy can start by imagining the situation you have problems coping with. Put yourself in a safe place and enter a calm/relaxed state. Repeatedly imagine being in the setting that causes your anxiety. Start with a low anxiety setting. When you start to become overly anxious, leave the imagining and go back to your relaxed state. With repetition it becomes easier so you can imagine yourself in progressively more challenging situations. Eventually the therapy involves exposing you to real world situations. A progression may be involved here as well. I am sure there is more to recovery than that...but you get the idea.

Learning to control you inner dialogue is also an important issue you need to deal with. A progression is used here as well. Recognize destructive self talk, interupt destructive self talk, and substitute constructive self talk in its place...be kind to yourself, there are plenty of other people who will not be.

I am not a trained therapist...just someone who has taken a few classes, read some research papers, and done a bit of soul searching. If you problems are serious, please get professional help.

 

[trofud]

Hahaha! Fear of screwing up!

Every gig I screw up some parts. Everyone I played with screwed up at some point. I did 40k + crowds as well as 12 crowds, screwed up a few times. Screwing up will happen, how you manage the screw up will make a huge difference.

Relax, all pros screw up anyways. You need to deal with it, it will happen, unless you're a robot.

 

[InhumanResource]

Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong section. I'm curious what tricks you've learned to combat stage fright. I played many years ago, but usually only in garage band settings. We did gig a few times, but every single time, I had almost crippling stage fright.... To the point of fingers locking up, etc. I always enjoyed playing, and will be getting a whole new rig in a week or so after a 15 year hiatus.
What caused me to want to get back into it (beside the fact that I've always been obsessed with music and bass lines) was an invitation to be one of the backup bassists in my church band (new age church, great music, great band). Rather than playing to a group of 50-100, I would be playing in front of 800-1000 people twice on each Sunday that I play. I had to GC almost every weekday during lunch to check out different , and narrow down my final selection (it's only 2 miles from work), but I picture myself standing in front of that huge crowd, and start doubting myself. Having the ability to play the music isn't the issue. Can anyone else relate to what I'm feeling, or am I the only one? I'd you've experienced something similar, how did you get over it?

Just jump in! In the beginning I was frightened and it lasted all the way until I was actually on stage. Then I was just excited and never got scared again! Maybe you will find the same thing, we are different people than we were many years ago.

 

[jchrisk1]

Breathing exercises work for me. I don't really get nervous anymore, but occasionally there is someone there that I get nervous about watching me play. Relaxing is the key. When you relax, you can play your arse off.

 

[RichardW]

Since you play in a church band, am I right in assuming you are a person of faith? Prayer can help, or if you don't pray call it meditation or centering or whatever. That helps me a lot when I have to go into a situation where I need to be "on."

Here's the thing: you're the best bass player in the room because you're the guy who's up on stage doing it. The audience WANTS you to do well; they are rooting for you (if they're thinking about you at all). They are most certainly NOT listening to your every note to see if you've screwed up somehow.

Beyond grasping this point, you could try not looking at the audience at all. Focus on your band mates and try to think that this is a rehearsal and not a performance.

And remember, God forgives all...

 

[Rattfink]

I was in a drama group in HS and Collage and have done some public speaking. I think both have helped. OH, and smoking a J might help, if you can play high

 

[trevcda]

Picture yourself in my underwear on stage, that will take your mind off it!

But I'm not wearing any underwear!

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Imagine everyone in the audience is naked.

 

[Brent Davenport]

Since you play in a church band, am I right in assuming you are a person of faith? Prayer can help, or if you don't pray call it meditation or centering or whatever. That helps me a lot when I have to go into a situation where I need to be "on."

Here's the thing: you're the best bass player in the room because you're the guy who's up on stage doing it. The audience WANTS you to do well; they are rooting for you (if they're thinking about you at all). They are most certainly NOT listening to your every note to see if you've screwed up somehow.

Beyond grasping this point, you could try not looking at the audience at all. Focus on your band mates and try to think that this is a rehearsal and not a performance.

And remember, God forgives all...

Yes, I'm a Christian. When I played before, I didn't act like one, so I didn't pray about the issue. In my mind, I was always Billy Sheehan or any other number I'd great bass players from that Era. In reality, I was a guy that was scared to death with a failure complex. I will definitely be praying about it. The funny thing is that I'm a clown by nature. If I instigate a given situation, I can have total control. If I feel like someone says "ready, set, perform", I freeze up.

 

[Wfrance3]

They say the best way to get over a fear of public speaking is to picture yourself in your underwear. Wait, maybe it was your audience that was supposed to be in their underwear. Either way...

Seriously, a LONG time ago I had the same issue. So much so that that I went to a Dale Carnegie Class. It’s a big deal and all over, so you can probably get it near you.

What worked for me and gave me my lightbulb moment that made me realize that being intimidated by an audience is silly is the following:

One of the instructors pointed out to me why an audience shows up. To see a show. Not to judge critique or throw tomatoes. If it’s a good show, that’s awesome. If it’s not, most people just start feeling uncomfortable and, well, bad for you. So, if you get all self conscious and end up playing bad because your flipped out over what might happen, you’ll put on a bad show. And let down your audience in the process. So, be a good guy and don’t do that. If you flub a note or a lick, roll with it. Probably no one noticed. Including your band mates. Don’t let technical difficulties be a problem. Make a joke about it. Encourage the tip jar so you can afford a more reliable amp or something. Remember don’t let the audience smell fear on you or they will eat you alive. Just kidding/checking to see if you read this far. No one is going to eat you alive. Except maybe that pair of mean drunks in the back. Don’t worry about them. They hate everyone. Especially the people that play flawlessly. Especially them!

 

[waveman]

I had severe stage fright or speaking in public most of my life. It took a little while, but I don't get that anymore...not that I don't get some level of anxiousness, but it's more of I can't wait to get started kind of thing.

The trick I used is that I had to convince myself this is just like a job and you have to interface with people...just like being a sales clerk or cashier or anything else. I then said to myself that hey, if I can go to work and perform work in front of people, then I can perform music just like this is what I have to do for a living. Once I got past that, that's when I was able start having fun and not just play but also try to entertain.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I haven't thought about this in a long time. I've rarely had stage fright, and put it down to being a natural ham. But upon reflection, I realize I live for the next gig. I can't wait to get out there and rock. I get through life by being a total nerd, bookworm, wimp, etc. But when I get in front of a crowd, I just want to eat 'em alive. It's like I'm a different person. I have no idea what that's about.

 

[jumbodbassman]

been playing a long time but i do remember the first time i was in front of over 10,000 folks. I do not engage in looking at individual people, just not pay attention to them. what worked for me is i do not look at anybody individually but the crowd as a just mass of background. not sure if i explained it right but seems like its just me and the band on the stage...

 

[WhenTheDrumsStops]

Forgive me if this is posted in the wrong section. I'm curious what tricks you've learned to combat stage fright. I played many years ago, but usually only in garage band settings. We did gig a few times, but every single time, I had almost crippling stage fright.... To the point of fingers locking up, etc. I always enjoyed playing, and will be getting a whole new rig in a week or so after a 15 year hiatus.
What caused me to want to get back into it (beside the fact that I've always been obsessed with music and bass lines) was an invitation to be one of the backup bassists in my church band (new age church, great music, great band). Rather than playing to a group of 50-100, I would be playing in front of 800-1000 people twice on each Sunday that I play. I had to GC almost every weekday during lunch to check out different , and narrow down my final selection (it's only 2 miles from work), but I picture myself standing in front of that huge crowd, and start doubting myself. Having the ability to play the music isn't the issue. Can anyone else relate to what I'm feeling, or am I the only one? I'd you've experienced something similar, how did you get over it?

Have confidence. I think stage fright has a lot to do with the lack of confidence. If you know what you play is right and sounds like how you want it then a gig should be a chill and a positive experience.

I don't gig for a long time anymore, but when I was first gigging I really got thrown into the deep. I had to replace an existing bass player of a band and basically had to learn their whole 4 hour long repertoire in 1 week. My stage fright was terrible the first month of gigging, not sure what my heart rate was during those first gigs, but it was high This however, was purely because I was really uncertain about playing the lines properly. After I finally got settled and knew the repertoire by heart the whole stage fright went away and being on stage was fun and chill after that!

 

[WhenTheDrumsStops]

Imagine everyone in the audience is naked.

Unless they are hot women. You don't want to play with a ... >_<

 

[HolmeBass]

No!

Stage fright (performance anxiety) is an anxiety disorder somewhat like a panic attack.

You'll have to work at relaxing in front of people.

Here's a previous thread to check out:
What stops stage fright

Here's an article on the topic from the National Institute of Mental Health: NIMH » Anxiety Disorders

"Medication does not cure anxiety disorders but often relieves symptoms. Medication can only be prescribed by a medical doctor (such as a psychiatrist or a primary care provider), but a few states allow psychologists to prescribe psychiatric medications.

Medications are sometimes used as the initial treatment of an anxiety disorder, or are used only if there is insufficient response to a course of psychotherapy. In research studies, it is common for patients treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication to have better outcomes than those treated with only one or the other.

The most common classes of medications used to combat anxiety disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta-blockers (visit Mental Health Medications). Be aware that some medications are effective only if they are taken regularly and that symptoms may recur if the medication is stopped."

Good luck! Don't give up.

Oh, I tried vitamin B12 and it helped me with some anxiety. Not stage fright but still ongoing. I use Solgar liquid B12 with B Complex. About $10. No downside to trying a bottle. More energy and concentration, less irritability.

In the extreme a prescription for beta blockers will help a lot. More famous performers than you’d suspect use them.

If it’s not quite that serious then repitition and preparedness will eventually overcome it.

A little bit of stage fright is ok, the Adrenalin helps boost energy and attention. But it sounds like you have more than a little bit, so try the vitamins, if that isn’t helping enough, beta blockers.

 

[Bioflava]

Some good ideas here and I think @RichardW 's point about mindfulness and the fact that your audience wants you to succeed are both right on. I'm not a clinician, but I used to coach public speakers -- and, in general, with anxiety-type disorders, getting in a situation where you can do it frequently will allay most people's anxiety.

To reduce anxiety until you get to that point, I've heard of people taking beta-blockers to reduce anxiety (need a doctor for that obviously) -- but another strategy that's easy to try is hypnosis or guided meditation. Check out the Meditation Oasis app -- there are some great guided meditations for anxiety: Apps

 

[corndog]

Lots of great advice here. I speak publically over 50 times a year, and I hated public speaking when I started my job. The nerves never go away. But being prepared and knowing your stuff is essential to minimizing them. Know your material inside and out, make sure all of your equipment is in top notch condition and have a backup plan for everything that can possibly go wrong.

And then jump in and do as many live shows as you can.

Just know this is normal. I remember reading a story about a famous athlete who would puke before every game he would get so nervous. He didn't let that stop him from playing 3 nights a week for 10 years. Nervousness just means you care, and that's a good thing. Get out and play!

 

[bassbrad]

Don't think of it as stage fright but as anticipation excitement for the coming experience, this was told to me by a wise old journeyman entertainer and it has served me well. It is like the excitement you see in race horses before the race being led up to the gate.