Gigs, gigs and more gigs. If you're feeling really insecure, wear some dark sunglasses. No alcohol or drugs. You think it helps, but it actually makes things worse.
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I have read that the simple act of throwing your shoulders back, standing up straight with good posture will send a signal to the brain and make you feel more self confident. The converse is true - if you slouch your shoulders and slump, you will start to feel less confident. So act as if and stand tall.
LoL. I would take such a beating from my wife and kids if I did that. I can hear her now..."What in Gods' name are you doing?! You're shaking the whole friggin house!"
I would have to take a day off from work with no one home.
For me... about two lagunitas or a few hits of weed. Not enough to really impair me.... but enough to remove that thin layer of care that I have for what strangers think of me.
Disclaimer.... this works for ME. If you have any substance issues or medical things going on... try something else.
Other disclaimer.... I am NOT saying to get wasted on stage.
Disclaimer.... this works for ME. If you have any substance issues or medical things going on... try something else.
Other disclaimer.... I am NOT saying to get wasted on stage.
The way you practice/rehearse is the way you perform.
Start moving around during home practice and band rehearsals.
Some thoughts:
(1) Practice talking to strangers. At a party, in line waiting for coffee, at the office, just force yourself to say hi to people and make small talk. It can be very intimidating because silence becomes VERY awkward, you might not know what to say, etc. But there's little risk (nobody's gonna start beating you up over small talk), and it can help you build the sort of confidence that will help you on stage looking at a crowd of strangers.
(2) This was mentioned once earlier -- don't make eye contact with the crowd until you're comfortable doing so. Until then, look at people's foreheads or adam's apples (or just look over the whole crowd like you're looking at the people in the back-most row). It looks to them like you're looking at them, but you never have to confront that actual eye-contact, which can be intimidating.
(3) Occasionally make eye contact with your bandmates, and in between songs, have brief exchanges with them. The more you feel like the band is collaborating in the performance, the less isolated you might feel and the more relaxed you may be engaging with the crowd -- like they're just an extension of the people on the stage.
(4) There's absolutely nothing wrong with alcohol or pot (depending on where you live). Just know your limits. I know plenty of 6-figure executives who have a wine or beer (or other) before giving big presentations. And often those presentations affect the person's career, so it's not like there's nothing at stake there. It's absolutely fine and can be done responsibly. My caveat is this: don't try to drink until you feel completely calm before you get on stage -- that's usually a good way to get too drunk to perform. Just have a reasonable amount, and trust it to take the edge off, and stop there. If you get sloppy, your NEXT show will probably be all the more stressful for you and everyone in the band.
(5) This is campy, and some people mentioned similar concepts, but practice a few go-to moves. Don't improvise on stage, just go through some paces like (a) foot on monitor, (b) walk back hang out with drummer, (c) walk back in front of amp, (d) for this song, throw in windmill, etc. So in your mind you're executing pre-planned steps more than you're trying to improvise for the audience.
And like someone else said, it may never go away, but in time you WILL get to the point where it doesn't inhibit your performance. You might completely quash it, you might be one who channels it, or you might just learn to ignore it when the first song starts.
Good luck!
(1) Practice talking to strangers. At a party, in line waiting for coffee, at the office, just force yourself to say hi to people and make small talk. It can be very intimidating because silence becomes VERY awkward, you might not know what to say, etc. But there's little risk (nobody's gonna start beating you up over small talk), and it can help you build the sort of confidence that will help you on stage looking at a crowd of strangers.
(2) This was mentioned once earlier -- don't make eye contact with the crowd until you're comfortable doing so. Until then, look at people's foreheads or adam's apples (or just look over the whole crowd like you're looking at the people in the back-most row). It looks to them like you're looking at them, but you never have to confront that actual eye-contact, which can be intimidating.
(3) Occasionally make eye contact with your bandmates, and in between songs, have brief exchanges with them. The more you feel like the band is collaborating in the performance, the less isolated you might feel and the more relaxed you may be engaging with the crowd -- like they're just an extension of the people on the stage.
(4) There's absolutely nothing wrong with alcohol or pot (depending on where you live). Just know your limits. I know plenty of 6-figure executives who have a wine or beer (or other) before giving big presentations. And often those presentations affect the person's career, so it's not like there's nothing at stake there. It's absolutely fine and can be done responsibly. My caveat is this: don't try to drink until you feel completely calm before you get on stage -- that's usually a good way to get too drunk to perform. Just have a reasonable amount, and trust it to take the edge off, and stop there. If you get sloppy, your NEXT show will probably be all the more stressful for you and everyone in the band.
(5) This is campy, and some people mentioned similar concepts, but practice a few go-to moves. Don't improvise on stage, just go through some paces like (a) foot on monitor, (b) walk back hang out with drummer, (c) walk back in front of amp, (d) for this song, throw in windmill, etc. So in your mind you're executing pre-planned steps more than you're trying to improvise for the audience.
And like someone else said, it may never go away, but in time you WILL get to the point where it doesn't inhibit your performance. You might completely quash it, you might be one who channels it, or you might just learn to ignore it when the first song starts.
Good luck!
My 3rd musical performance was solo. Just me and an acoustic guitar. I just said "f'it" to myself, went out on stage, and I sucked. Horribly. But my 6yo daughter didn't care, she danced the whole time I was on stage.
My attitude is still the same. "F'it". I am going to do this. So up I go.
Looking back, that's often been my attitude about this sort of this thing. I've done what I can to prepare, the bell is ringing, time to go. It works for me.
Other than the drugs & booze, find an approach that works, and ride it.
edg
My attitude is still the same. "F'it". I am going to do this. So up I go.
Looking back, that's often been my attitude about this sort of this thing. I've done what I can to prepare, the bell is ringing, time to go. It works for me.
Other than the drugs & booze, find an approach that works, and ride it.
edg
Don't take a pill. Don't drink. You don't need it. I used to think I "needed" a couple beers to loosen up. That's a crutch. It's BS. You don't need anything. Except this: you need to know that you're supposed to be up there. People came to see you. Maybe not everyone, but you're on the bill. You're one of the 5 or so people in the room who can do what you do, and you are the ONLY one in the room who can do what you're doing with that band at that moment. You're the ONE. You're not auditioning, you're performing. As long as you know your material, you're golden. And we all make mistakes, nobody but you notices.
And if you drink or take a pill, whatever- try playing one gig without. Just to see what you can do. You may surprise yourself.....
And if you drink or take a pill, whatever- try playing one gig without. Just to see what you can do. You may surprise yourself.....
But seriously:
1. Beta blockers have been mentioned, and yes, they are well known to classical musicians. But they are prescription drugs and you should only use them if prescribed by a medical doctor. But it is also well known to classical musicians that bananas have some of the same active ingredient. So have a banana. (I promise I am not making this up.)
2. I know most of the references to Xanax have been in fun, but Xanax can have really bad side effects. I recently went through 4 years of hell while my partner was having all kinds of problems, and then it was finally determined to be side effects from prescription Xanax.
1. Beta blockers have been mentioned, and yes, they are well known to classical musicians. But they are prescription drugs and you should only use them if prescribed by a medical doctor. But it is also well known to classical musicians that bananas have some of the same active ingredient. So have a banana. (I promise I am not making this up.)
2. I know most of the references to Xanax have been in fun, but Xanax can have really bad side effects. I recently went through 4 years of hell while my partner was having all kinds of problems, and then it was finally determined to be side effects from prescription Xanax.
basic comptency + preparedness = confidence
confidence + experience = minimal or no stage fright
confidence + experience = minimal or no stage fright
