Tips for Playing Live?

[RyanJD]

Well as my story goes, on Wednesdays at 4:30, our band leader picks out two songs from a pretty large library that our band practices until 6:00 and we play at 6:30 for our youth group from church. I recently took the position on bass player in this band and last night was the fourth week I've played with them. The past weeks we had done songs with easy bass parts, for my sake so I could get accoustomed because I'm not that experienced, but last night we did one that had a more complicated line that was played twice at three spots: the intro, in between the chrous and verse 2, and before the bridge. Now within the 1 and 1/2 hours we had for practice I got both songs down pretty well and I nailed the line everytime when we played the song all the way through twice. Fast forward to praise and worship time and I botch the line 5/6 times. I don't know what it was, but you would think after a few weeks, I would be used to playing in front of about 70 people or maybe it was the pressure of doing a solo...of sorts or maybe I needed to practice it more. Either way, I think I was kind of nervous. That's how it would usually go though; I did better in practice than the preformance. Does anyone have any tips to prevent something like this from happening again, or just for playing live in general? As usual, all replies are appreciated.

 

[naetog]

relax and breathe. I used to find myself holding my breath when difficult parts were coming up, and it never helped anything.

And don't worry about it. 96% of the people listening probably won't notice if you screw up anyway.

 

[Depth_Charge]

And of those who do notice, 90% won't know WHO fluffed it

I did better in practice than the preformance. Does anyone have any tips to prevent something like this from happening again, or just for playing live in general? As usual, all replies are appreciated.

Rehearsals are not (usually) the same distracting environment live venues are and the issue is quite common IME.

As you gain more experience live the problem will decrease.
Learn the lines until playing them becomes second nature. Remembering the lines becomes one less distraction.

One tip I've used when I know I can play a tune and my mind starts stressing about an upcoming part, or I have a mental blank, is to just ignore my thoughts and have faith in my muscle memory. This works more often than it lets me down.

But as I said, the more you play the tunes live, the easier they are to play live.

Best of luck and enjoy!!

 

[Russell L]

Well, it happens to the best of us, anytime. Usually, after just learning a new tune, I try to find spots in the tune where I can remind myself of a few things coming up. Like, knowing the bridge is coming up right after that E-chord and little lick, or, begin prepping for a solo when I hear the horns do this or that, or...whatever. Just something to remind me of what's coming, kinda like writing a note to myself on a chart. (When I played the symphony I would draw eyeglasses on the music before an important part or feature coming up, telling myself to "watch out").

Nonetheless, two weeks ago I stumbled on a new tune at a gig. Oh well, no biggy. I'll get it better next time. Just keep trying and relax. That's the best you can do.

 

[GabyJV]

when i get nervous i try to think of something else instead of what im playing, like "hey, look how my speakers move when i play" or "i kinda like the drummer's t-shirt" something like that. It works for me

 

[HugeInJapan]

Breathing is key! I also find myself holding my breath during more difficult sections and often it makes me nervous and I botch it by playing to quickly. Just relax and let your fingers do the work.

 

[Randyt]

i learned a technique ...its called tactical breathing...special forces use this...
breathe in through nose while counting to 4
hold for 4
realease out mouth...for 4
nothing for 4
inhale for 4...
Hope that makes sense,,,,you must count...it will relax you..
My pregame is a decent dinner couple hours before, keep hydrated and go for a poop before you hit the stage.

 

[Randyt]

Oh one more thing...If my nerves are really bad...bad day at work or at home that just wont go away...I take half a gravol..(motion sickness )...it really takes the edge off.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Plat it like you're going to die after the show, so this is how you're going to be remembered.

Just kick some ass.

 

[Syco_bass]

Everyone is different, and no one is perfect. If you nailed it during rehearsal, stay confident that A) you do have the ability to play it and B) you have the ability to commit it to memory. So the only thing you have to fear, is fear itself. So relax, take a deep breath, I like Randyt's suggestion. I might use that myself for an upcoming big show. but most importantly, have fun, and don't stress yourself out. Oh and don't forget to practice, practice, practice. The mind doesn't learn a new "habit" until you have done it for 21 days. So, practicing that line with the band 2 times will not commit it to memory. You have to do it over and over and over for at least 21 days before it becomes second nature.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Practice makes perfect.

 

[BassIsFun17]

practice is a definitely a big part of performing. otherwise, i just try to keep myself pretty calm about the whole situation, and don't go in thinking im gonna mess a song up, even if i know there are some new songs that are hard for me still. just keep positive about it all. also i find looking for some hot chicks to make eye contact with always helps some too

 

[Gowron]

advice my high school band teacher would always give us: don't practice it until you do it right; practice it until you can't do it wrong. Wise words in my opinion.

 

[Russell L]

when i get nervous i try to think of something else instead of what im playing, like "hey, look how my speakers move when i play" or "i kinda like the drummer's t-shirt" something like that. It works for me

Yeah, that also works while sitting in the dentist's waiting room. "Hm, nice painting on the wall--oh, and there's a pretty Robin in the tree outside."

"Next."

"O sh**!!"

 

[brane]

I second (and third, and fourth) all the breathing tips. It's incredible how much breathing affects things on a physiological level:

Taking a deep breath has a calming effect on the brain, which can counteract the inherent anxiety of a live, make-it-or-break-it performance. Alternatively, holding your breath builds up carbon dioxide in the lungs, and begins to trigger the hypercapnic response. This is basically the "choking" feeling when you can't breathe (your body doesn't react to a lack of oxygen, rather to an overabundance of CO2). This can begin quite quickly and adds to your level of anxiety rather subconsciously and subtly. If you ever get to the point where you think to yourself, "I really need to take a breath", chances are you have already been experiencing a bit of hypercapnia, which is obviously going to detract from your playing. This type of stress (as in any) also floods your body with cortisol, a hormone designed to increase blood-sugar levels, which can cause short bursts of strength and speed, but rarely helps you keep your head straight (can make you "jittery"), which you need to get through those tough parts.

The second aspect of holding your breath is that you deny your body the fuel it prefers to burn. Bass playing, particularly difficult passages, can be quite a physical feat. Muscles burn oxygen first, then stored sugars. But they like the former a lot better, and burn it more efficiently. Once the O2 is gone, you are now "anaerobic" and burning sugar. Not only does this provide less energy (so less speed, strength, precision), but the byproduct is lactic acid, which hurts as it builds up, and takes time to flush out of the system. A sore hand isn't conducive to fluid and accurate playing, either.

So yeah, breathe. It sounds silly, but in general there are two automatic responses during a difficult passage: holding your breath, or slowly releasing it. The second is the one you want to go for, since it obviously required you to take a breath beforehand. Suddenly holding your breath when your haven't inhaled is going to have a huge impact on your playing.

As an aside, this is why I like to sing, even if I'm not mic'd. Singing forces breathing control, plus, once again there is a (possible) physiological benefit to it. Singing can stimulate the vagus nerve at the back of the throat, which has a tendency to lower heart rate (ideal in a stressful situation), and has other sympathetic responses. Research into this shows there is some dissent by professionals as to whether this always happens, but nothing I've seen has shown that it will *never* happen, so I don't see why I shouldn't exploit a possible calming technique.

 

[RyanJD]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips guys.
Played at youth again tonight and did fine.
Granted, the songs were pretty easy. Either way, I've been working on my breathing while playing!

 

[Devo-lution]

I know the feeling. Even with gigs were I wrote songs myself and I'm playing these lines for years now, I still notice that I'm holding my breath occasionally.

Also, from what I've heard of our local crowdees, when there's a hard piece, something amiss... I freeze onstage occasionally and I pull off one hell of focussed bass face.

 

[Russell L]

I know the feeling. Even with gigs were I wrote songs myself and I'm playing these lines for years now, I still notice that I'm holding my breath occasionally.

Also, from what I've heard of our local crowdees, when there's a hard piece, something amiss... I freeze onstage occasionally and I pull off one hell of focussed bass face.

I remember playing sick one night with a real poker face look. At break a guy came over to say he thought I was cool onstage because of my demeanor. I told him it was all because I was sick. But see, it disproves all those who say ya gotta smile all the time onstage, heh, heh.

Oh, and yeah, I've caught myself holding my breath once in awhile, kinda like when I'm trying to focus my telescope.

 

[f.c.geil]

advice my high school band teacher would always give us: don't practice it until you do it right; practice it until you can't do it wrong. Wise words in my opinion.

They must teach that at music teacher school (wait, they do - I went to one). My band teacher said the same thing.

 

[Dustin Teel]

I would try wearing a sock over your penis and no other clothes. This worked very successfully for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also, Flea is an excellent bass player.