Stage fright

[Badwater]

2 ways I learned how to perform in front of people
1) volunteer for public speaking in your job or school.
2) take your instrument to the park, and play music for free where people are at. You'll quickly condition yourself to play songs under the pressure of others. And more importantly, you're practice time will be more serious than just playing alone.

 

[Bobro]

2 ways I learned how to perform in front of people
1) volunteer for public speaking in your job or school.
2) take your instrument to the park, and play music for free where people are at. You'll quickly condition yourself to play songs under the pressure of others. And more importantly, you're practice time will be more serious than just playing alone.

Great advice!
I read once that most people fear public speaking more than they fear death itself. And the most talented professional musician I have ever met still busks on the street every day.

Here is something to keep in mind about stage fright: it is a good sign that you are a real musician. Maria Callas threw up from stage fright before every show. Pavorotti had superstitious rituals to overcome the butterflies, his whole life. A "ham", the character you can't keep off the stage, is a dime a dozen, we've all been subjected to them at jam sessions. After all, why should you be nervous if you are just putting on a fake show, and not baring your naked soul?

Speaking of superstition, superstition is not a bad thing when it comes to stage fright: my son gave me a cute little toy hippo singing into a microphone when he was little, and I still have it as a talisman, carry it for every performance of any kind, also when I fly on an airplane or go on a date- I hold it and think, relax, man up, and make your son proud!

 

[Brent Davenport]

Great advice!
I read once that most people fear public speaking more than they fear death itself. And the most talented professional musician I have ever met still busks on the street every day.

Here is something to keep in mind about stage fright: it is a good sign that you are a real musician. Maria Callas threw up from stage fright before every show. Pavorotti had superstitious rituals to overcome the butterflies, his whole life. A "ham", the character you can't keep off the stage, is a dime a dozen, we've all been subjected to them at jam sessions. After all, why should you be nervous if you are just putting on a fake show, and not baring your naked soul?

Speaking of superstition, superstition is not a bad thing when it comes to stage fright: my son gave me a cute little toy hippo singing into a microphone when he was little, and I still have it as a talisman, carry it for every performance of any kind, also when I fly on an airplane or go on a date- I hold it and think, relax, man up, and make your son proud!

That was done awesome advice and a great story!

 

[Ron Berenato]

When I was 18 our band had a manager who noticed we were nervous before a show. He told us "everyone in that crowd wishes they could do what you're doing". I was never nervous again. On the other hand, if there's a lot of musicians in the crowd or the headline act is standing off stage watching you, then the only cure is knowing you parts as solidly as possible. Tight in the pocket with little or no showing off and you'll impress anyone worth impressing. That works for me.

 

[TheDirtyLowDown]

Three things help me:

1) Recognizing that stage fright causes me to focus inward, on myself, eg: "What if I screw up?" "What if I forget my part?" and so on. When I feel that starting, I consciously try to move my attention outward, to the other musicians in the band and I try to listen as intently as I can to what everyone else is doing at that moment in the music.

2) Physiologically there is not that much of a difference between anxiety and excitement. Your heartrate goes up, adrenaline kicks in, etc. If I can change my "I'm worried/scared" narrative into "I'm so excited to be doing this" that helps, because excitement is fun.

3) I tell myself "it's cool to have something that matters to me this much." Focusing on gratitude for the opportunity to play often helps me get past the nervousness about getting it right in front of a crowd. It's likely that there will be a time in the future when I won't be physically able to play at all... so I tell myself that one day I will actually miss hauling gear and trying to get everything working and soundchecked under a deadline and remembering the right notes to play...

 

[Captain Jeff]

Many advices here I see. Well, I always have a bit of doubt at the beginning, but then it just gets away. I think it's in the brain. You have to be convinced that you play fine, you have to know that the music you play is what you love and most importantly, don't try to play without any mistakes. You need to learn how to get out of mistakes and improvise rather than not make mistakes.

That works for me at least. I hope you will find your way to chill out on stage!

 

[cbdriver]

I haven’t read through all the responses to your question but here’s my take. This could be the perfect gig for someone struggling with the issue of stage fright. In the context of a worship set, the audience (for lack of a better term) is not (or should not be) primary focused on you & the rest of the band. They are collectively “the worshippers “ and you’re supporting them by playing your instrument. Just take a breath & realize to whom you’re really playing ... A Father who unconditionally loves you regardless of your performance. Just focus on doing your best and allow your talent to be a gift that’s given back to the One who give it in the first place. Peace like a river!

 

[zjanderson]

If it's in a dark venue at night, the lights will prevent you from seeing 3 feet in front of you anyway. It'll be like playing to an empty room!

 

[BassChuck]

Realize that very few, if any people are focused on exactly what you are doing. Be as prepared as possible. Pay attention to the music, not to yourself.
And don't ever try to 'get over' stage fright. Just get used to playing with it. Acknowledge it's presence, don't judge yourself on it. Understand that it's not a real indication of anything. Enjoy the music. It's a small, small percentage of the population that is given the opportunity and ability to play music. Enjoy the gift, enjoy giving your talent to the moment.

 

[KrisTC99]

I'm a bassist. Nobody's gonna pay attention to me!

Our last gig had a lifetime pro bassist in the audience. As I started the first song I noticed something was horribly wrong with the tuning of my E string, but I’m new and not very versatile so I was unable to avoid it all the time. He didn’t even notice.

 

[Kazi]

Mistakes go by so fast, you have the rest of the night to just forgetaboutit. You're always going to make em anyway. The butterflies, you get use to them and hopefully they wont disappear totally. Its all part of the thrill of playing. Dont lose that thrill.

 

[juggahnaught]

Thread necro, but I ran into this tonight playing in a local Monday night jam. For whatever reason, I get anxious and I find it difficult to play - like I'm fighting my fingers. (When this happens I tend to end up using index and ring finger primarily, and I get tired quickly because I'm literally fighting myself.) Tonight was fun, but the pressure of getting up in front of an audience without knowing what I was going to play - it's always a little much, especially in the role of a bassist. People told me I did great, and aside from a couple of flubs, it was probably not a bad performance, but I feel like I'm still coming down from a nervous high; my heart rate is approaching normal and I feel like I'm slowly losing the tension in my fingers.

Tonight has made me realize that yeah, I think I have stage fright. I can play through it, but I feel as though my playing suffers (especially if it's a jam on stage in front of people that's broadcast on the radio, shag). I, too, could use some tips! I suppose it's just a matter of putting yourself out there more as a form of exposure therapy, although in a jam session where things are always different it might be a little more difficult.

 

[Bobro]

I think it is good to remember that Maria Callas had stage fright so bad that she threw up (vommited) before every performance, and had to be physically pushed out on to stage! And Pavorotti never lost his stage fright either, always had weird superstitious rituals to go through before every performance. Whereas every deedle deedle deedle plank wanker "all athletics no soul" guitarist I have ever met is a complete ham and never has a touch of stage fright.