Stage fright

[BigBigGuy44]

I walk out wearing only a sock. This method shifts the freight from me to the audience.

 

[Christine]

I walk out wearing only a sock. This method shifts the freight from me to the audience.

Should be able to give that a double "Like"

 

[groooooove]

no secret formula

face that panic / fear as often as you possibly can.

if it was easy everyone would do it.

often this process involves bombing a few times. I certainly did. it'll be okay, just keep doing it again and again.

 

[stringthrough]

You're just the bassist. Nobody in the audience will focus on you.

 

[lug]

I too picture myself in @lug ’s underwear.

Thanks a lot. Now I'm going to be nervous at my next gig!

 

[lug]

I must not fear.
Fear is the groove-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration to the groove.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only the groove will remain.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Find something to focus on other than the crowd. Pick a spot over their head to look at. This way it appears you are looking out at the crowd, without having to look out at the crowd. Look over at your drummer and smile - he/she isn't going anywhere, and it's the same friendly face you see at rehearsal.

 

[nilorius]

When you attack the stage, try to think that those listeners are 100% waiting the best 100% from you, right now. Don't look at them, concentrate on your moves, your instrument and technique. Just play............

 

[JRA]

OP: you won't have "stage fright" after 1000's of exposures. for someone like you = it may only take 3. good luck!

 

[BobDeRosa]

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?

1) You're making it about you rather than about the music. It's always about the music.
2) 90% of the congregation knows nothing about music and couldn't tell a bad bass note if it flew out of your amp and slapped them in the face.
3) 99% of the congregation is thinking about everything but the music. Don't flatter yourself that they're paying any attention to you.
4) Relax and enjoy. The fact that you care about how you sound indicates that you'll prepare yourself to be a great bandmate, and that's the most important thing.
5) It's worship music. You'll be getting support from a higher power.

 

[BassGH]

I quit playing guitar and started playing bass-that took about 90% of my stage fright away.

 

[mambo4]

I'm curious what tricks you've learned to combat stage fright.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to do what is needed in the presence of fear.
Instead of fear, focus on training yourself to do what is needed.
Don't fight fear: expect it, accept it, and - armed with your training - step into it.

 

[Goatee220]

I always try to look for a friendly face in the audience. Since it's church, I would think there would be plenty. In the churches I've been to, it's always the most zealous/pious members in the first few rows - I would think they'd be the most into it and actively listening, singing along and providing non-verbal feedback - if you can lock onto a couple of those friendly faces and see that they're digging it, you'll start to relax.
Good luck!

 

[foolforthecity]

It definitely is a fear of screwing up (and that everyone is watching me, even though I'm in the background).

Don't worry about messing up. As mentioned by another, know your material well. I'm 60, been in front of folks since 13, and I've found that people want you to succeed. They're behind you and many wish they had the moxy you have standing in front of them. Secondly, a large number of the crowd are musically clueless. There's been times when I was was bored and I'd do silly stuff like play a half-step out just to see if anyone noticed. They didn't. Even pros mess up, but the key is they keep driving ahead like their mistake never happened so it goes largely if not completely unnoticed. Have fun!

 

[mesaplayer83]

Experience and a solid knowledge of the material are by far the 2 best things to get over stage fright. Also "basses" is definitely not the correct forum for this topic.

Exactly - I prepare as much as humanly possible, make sure I'm not inebriated(although I do like a drink or two to relax) - after that, I figure it's in God's hands, lol... It's actually liberating to let it go mentally like that, and nearly always leads to my best performances... I realized LONG ago that no one ever died from embarassment, and that things can and do happen regarding "live entertainment"... IME, it's all about the recovery more than anything - but again, this is assuming that you're well prepared going in... The more you "own" your material, the less nervous you're apt to be - and can then mentally sink yourself into each song and your overall performance....

 

[silvertone]

I don't have time to parse through 5 pages of opinions on the subject but PRACTICE builds confidence and strips away stage fright. When the band is tight and well rehearsed there should be zero reason to have ants in yo pants.

 

[JonTishBASS]

I am in my middle school band and I get sweaty a lot when I am on stage. It is very very awkward and I just learn to get through it. Also when on stage, be sure to wear deodorant because you are going to need it.

 

[thedukeofno]

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 often experience this, not in playing but in professional (non-musical) situations. Just let the feeling wash over you and pass through you. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but if you lean into it, so to speak, and know that it is just going to pass you’ll be fine. But it will take a bit of practice to work through.

Besides out of those 1000 people, you might have only 10 bass players. Let’s say that 5 of them are the “Real Deal”... their only concern is that you’re playing a p-bass with a tort pickguard and flats that are as old as Methusalah. And they won’t be able to hear you as you’ll be turned too far down in the mix

 

[GTx2]

It's just people.......

 

[Bassngtr]

I play bass in church too - it is exceptionally rewarding. Here's what helps me:

1. Practice each song as much as you can to feel comfortable, especially about changes that may surprise you even though you know the song (turning a page, key changes, jumping back from a bridge to a certain part, etc.).

2. Sheet music can sometimes be challenging to follow; make a copy and mark it up to help your eyes quickly know where to go next. Sometimes I'll even write the next 2 or 3 chords at the end of the previous section so I know what to play while my eyes go to the next section.

3. In church the songs change week to week…if you can use sheet music or chord charts DO IT and don’t feel bad. IMO don’t even try to memorize the songs…that will come in time as the same songs cycle around

4. Play for your band mates. Try to play your best for them. NO ONE in the crowd will notice mistakes, and the One you are really playing for is very forgiving.

5. Play appropriately. Better to play less than more.

6. Stay with it – I wish you all the best!