Nah. Decades ago I played nervously and pretty badly filling in on guitar and a random stranger asked me if we're available to play at a wedding. Haven't been nervous since.
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stage fright
- Thread starter sonic boogaloo
- Start date
No, Confident I know what I'm doing and if I've prepared well...its going to be ok, or better.
But I do know guys who are affected and one is a classy singer. In terms of singing and the fact that he a really impressive tone in his voice you just can't teach, I'm hugely frustrated he struggles to deliver it and has to have a few looseners before the gig and then the pressure and alcohol get in the way and we are in rescue mode.
We are very reticent to have him on the gig even when he has almost everything ..bar the above... to be in top 5 out of hundreds on the county circuit.
But I do know guys who are affected and one is a classy singer. In terms of singing and the fact that he a really impressive tone in his voice you just can't teach, I'm hugely frustrated he struggles to deliver it and has to have a few looseners before the gig and then the pressure and alcohol get in the way and we are in rescue mode.
We are very reticent to have him on the gig even when he has almost everything ..bar the above... to be in top 5 out of hundreds on the county circuit.
Didn't Fred Biletnikoff throw up before every NFL game? Had a great career, went on to coach. I guess for some people that works just fine.
When I was younger (middle school/high school) yes. In my professional career? No, with one exception. It was a livestream Christmas gig and the band was informed that there was a substantial number of people standing by to watch. I was nervous for a few minutes but right before the drummer counted off the first tune I said to myself “I got this.” The performance went just fine.
I don’t necessarily get more anxiety, but sometimes feel more frustration in recording situations.
I don’t necessarily get more anxiety, but sometimes feel more frustration in recording situations.
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I had some stage fright when I was a beginner and unsure of my abilities. I’m not sure when it ended.
One thing that some of you might find odd is I don’t pay any attention to the audience and haven’t for decades. I focus all my attention on the other players and the music itself. I haven’t gone all Miles Davis yet, turning my back to the audience, but who knows what the future will bring?
One thing that some of you might find odd is I don’t pay any attention to the audience and haven’t for decades. I focus all my attention on the other players and the music itself. I haven’t gone all Miles Davis yet, turning my back to the audience, but who knows what the future will bring?
I stumbled into irony & didn't even realize it! Carly's stage fright was well known by me but didn't even think about that when I added the link. I figured someone on TB would make the "anticipation" connection and submit the same so thought I'd beat them to it. It was either Carly or Heinz.
I stumbled into irony & didn't even realize it! Carly's stage fright was well known by me but didn't even think about that when I added the link. I figured someone on TB would make the "anticipation" connection and submit the same so thought I'd beat them to it. It was either Carly or Heinz.
Yep....10/4/1980 at the Stanley Theater. Coincidentally, I saw Bette Midler a few years later at Heinz Hall and, believe me, she's at the opposite end of the performance spectrum.
Riis
I have a lot of nervous energy before a show. I can't sit still from about 15 minutes to showtime. I need to pace, or do something.
Once on stage, I'm fine.
Once on stage, I'm fine.
I only get nervous if I havent gigged in a while. After a song or so I usually settle in.
The drive to the gig is where the struggle lies for me. Not sure why... Once there, it's a couple Miller Lites, then down to business.
i think, as bass players, we're under a lot less pressure.
no surprise then, that most of us don't suffer from this MALADY.
no surprise then, that most of us don't suffer from this MALADY.
When I started playing back in 1998 it was in a church with 50 members. So the crowd for that service was about 15. My first time playing my knees were shaking so bad I honestly was not sure I would not collapse.
Fast forward to last night. The bass was so loud I had a hard time hearing my own lyrics - and I sing lead! It had to be loud to fill the house properly. Anyway, I made a few boneheaded mistakes and just laughed them off, right there. But what the crowd saw was me having a GREAT time. And that's what they need to see.
This Saturday I'm playing four sets with a group that needed a bass player. They contacted me a week ago. 35 of the songs I've never played before.
It'll be fun!
Fast forward to last night. The bass was so loud I had a hard time hearing my own lyrics - and I sing lead! It had to be loud to fill the house properly. Anyway, I made a few boneheaded mistakes and just laughed them off, right there. But what the crowd saw was me having a GREAT time. And that's what they need to see.
This Saturday I'm playing four sets with a group that needed a bass player. They contacted me a week ago. 35 of the songs I've never played before.
It'll be fun!
We opened for some pretty big named bands when I was on the road. I couldn't wait for it all to begin each time. Anticipation yes, anxiety yes, definitely. Stage freight, none. I couldn't wait to sing our opening song! I think about it now and get goose bumps.
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Always. It always feels like I've forgotten just about EVERYTHING right before going onstage. Of course, I haven't. But it feels that way.
Several things that are in my pre-gig ritual are:
-BE PREPARED! I practice RELENTLESSLY before a gig.
-NO FOOD OR ALCOHOL! I do NOT want any stomach problems on top of my nerves. Also, was real drunk at one gig, and forgot to tune back up from drop D...played 3 songs in the wrong tuning before I noticed (and we were being recorded, too!).
-SET-UP EARLY! Can't stand being rushed setting things up (usually also brought all the lighting to the gig besides my bass rig/mic/monitor). If something goes wrong, at least I have some extra time built-in to try solving it before starting to play.
Several things that are in my pre-gig ritual are:
-BE PREPARED! I practice RELENTLESSLY before a gig.
-NO FOOD OR ALCOHOL! I do NOT want any stomach problems on top of my nerves. Also, was real drunk at one gig, and forgot to tune back up from drop D...played 3 songs in the wrong tuning before I noticed (and we were being recorded, too!).
-SET-UP EARLY! Can't stand being rushed setting things up (usually also brought all the lighting to the gig besides my bass rig/mic/monitor). If something goes wrong, at least I have some extra time built-in to try solving it before starting to play.
Don't subscribe to this myself.
If I'm not on it, the band suffers, no doubt and conversely if I am on it..and my prep is all about this, then I drive the band and this provides the platform for 3 excellent soloists.
This is what is meant by bands going through the gears, imv.
Not really been my experience. Maybe because I've spent 50-plus years hitting from both sides of the plate on bass and guitar.
If playing bass feels like a relentless obligation to be there on every beat, like a life sentence of quarter notes, maybe you need to look at it differently. It's an opportunity to settle in, shape the dynamics, and ride the wave instead of chasing it. It's not a burden. It's a front-row seat to the groove with a hand on the steering wheel.
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All helpful, IME.
Except the no-food rule. Before a 3 or 4 hour gig, I'd rather start with a full tank than spend the last set running on fumes.
And being a spicy-food addict, there's usually a bottle of hot sauce in my gig bag. Some habits are harder to quit than others.
I’ve never been nervous for a gig. I’m usually hyped and ready to get it going. I love getting up on stage and playing.
My stage fright doesn't kick in until about 30 minutes before the gig. Early on, I used to go to a quiet corner backstage and play through the key basslines just to reassure myself that I still knew them. That’s improved over the years, though. Nowadays, when it does hit, I just take a deep breath and consciously remind myself that I’m well-prepared. Then it goes away. Before shows, I generally don’t drink more than one or two small beers. I’ve already described in another thread an embarrassing incident from my youth involving large amounts of weed and beer before a gig. An experience that taught me to be sensible about such things early on.
For me, the only things always packed at home are my main amp and my gig bag (stands, power conditioner, etc.) If I need a second amp, I pack that up the evening before. Basses are chosen ahead of time for a gig while practicing; I pack them up after my last practice. My pedalboard goes in its case at that point as well. The wireless transmitters go in that case once charged. So no decisions to be made, just a spread out routine.
I used to wonder why bands didn't want much help, now I get it. Sure, help me carry some stuff in or out, but the only way I know things are as I like them is if I do it. So whether it's coiling cables or putting things into bags or cases, it's all me. And yes to going out oin stage, whether during sound check or not, maybe even interacting beyond eye contact and a smile. My goal is 15 minutes between all checked out and time to play. If more, great, but at least that.
Stage fright? How I got past that is entertaining, but a separate story. Which is ironic since this is a stage fright thread.
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