stage fright.

[theron]

Would this be a proper place to get a helping hand on the issue?

In the past, I've practiced a solid 20 min set for open mike venues, and when I'm on stage I totally suck.
Now I don't play out because of bad past experiences.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

I gotta make a push in the flow of things. My dog hates my singing and the bedroom walls never give me any feedback.

Thanks
Theron.

[Henri Devill]

Theron , I have never been nervous..I think the reason why is that I would turn that energy outward...Open mic gigs could be hard because the smaller the audience..It gets more personal..So how about if you talk to them, make it casual..Have fun..smile..If you make a mistake so what!The more you think about makin' mistakes,the more mistakes you will make!Have fun, you know half those people wish they were you up there.. enjoy it!


Don

[BSMR]

Well said . Those ways of thinking are precisely what got me through my stagefright. Just Get out there and rock!!!

[theron]

Thanks.
In fact, my first "gig" was on the coat tails of some very talented and established friends. I made small talk and spoke of the songs origings ect... My accomplished friends were impressed (as they played in bands and could hide behind the set up). I do have a decent running rapore as long as I don't have to spell so maybe I'll check back into the "touch the crowd" thing.

Still, my eyes get dry and I forget lyrics that I've sung for years.

I guess it is time to face some demons.

Theron.

[Buffalo Bob]

Dude-
I've been playing all kinds of venues for over 35 years, and I still get stagefright every performance! Unless you're an exhibitionist, it's quite natural. It only seems worse when you are inexperienced. For me the secret is concentration. If you concentrate and focus on the music, the audience dissappears and you'll find you make fewer mistakes, and will gain confidence.
Performing original music is a tightrope walk over fire. It is not for the weak of heart, but judging from your posts, all you lack is confidence. Keep playing, it's all uphill from here!

Bob

[atomictoyz]

Ozzy Osbourne said he still pukes from nervousness before every performance. Now that he quit drinking Im more apt to believe him. Stage fright is a horrible thing, and unfortunatly for most people is because of the non exihibitionist type personality. I can work up sweat just thinking of a live performance, even if its just my wife who is watching. Its the fear of judgment, the fear of embarrasment and your insecurities. Small crowds are the worst, but I actually got used to it, eventually I transformed as I concentrated on the performance rather than the audience. Getting up was the worst, getting down felt great, and getting off the stage was even better. Try performing in front of a group of friends to gain some confidence, then when on stage focus on someone you know who is watching, I used to look at the back wall and not at the audience. Experiment some, oh and I used a video camera to record my performance to see how I looked to myself. Best of Luck!


Peace,
Dennis

[mikeh]

Since I've been gigging for over 30 years I don't really remember at what point I overcame stage fright - although I do still get a slight case of nerves on rare occasion for certain high profile/large venue gigs (festivals, with thousands of people, etc.).

I agree the first thing to do if play for friends, perhaps at small parties, etc. (hell, throw your own party, and invite only people you feel confortable with). Get a few of those "gigs" under your belt, and you'll know what to expect and how to deal with it.

Don't worry about mistakes, (we all make them) half the people won't know you made a mistake, and the other half won't care. If you do make a mistake, don't freak - the mistake is done, over and gone, there ain't nothing to do but move on. Normally it's best not to even acknowledge the mistake (to the crowd), but if it was sooo bad that you can't ignore it, turn it into a joke (make believe if was the guitar's fault, say " I paid $10 for this guitar, you'd thing it would play the right chords", or claim that the bad chord was intentional to make it sound like "jazz").

As someone stated earlier, concentrate on the song enough, and the crowd sorta disappears. I have always used two main thoughts to keep it in perspective - 1) If the people in the crowd are any better then I am, why aren't they at their own a gig? 2) I could care less if the people like what I'm doing, as long as I like what I'm doing.

[savageblues]

After 15 years of playing live, I rarely get stage-fright now, but I do get a small touch of anxiety and slight butterflies. For me this translates into energy. The negative aspects are usually gone after the first song.

I find that I am MUCH more comfortable playing the tunes I have played for years than I am with newer tunes (I supose this goes without saying). Practice, practice, practice and you will be more comfortable. If I cant play/sing a song almost without thinking, then I am likely to feel a little nervous about performing it.

Most people dont hear the mistakes (and they ALWAYS happen), unless the mistake is REALLY obvious. Remember most people aren't musicians, and they likely arent judging technique. They are having fun drinking, smoking and yapping with the hot blond they would like to take home. I say this so you can have some perspective when you feel nervous, and are worried about rejection from these people.

You'll get over your anxiety about performing live. The more you do it, the better you'll get, and the more fun you'll have.

I love it. Its a real rush. I wish it was a fulltime job!

Goodluck.

[Fangar]

Theron,

You crack me up brother. I think that you are one of the most painfully honest chaps I have read from. Good Job! I agree with many of the others that one still gets a bit nervous at the beginning of venues no matter how long you have been doing it. I have been playing solo lately with just an acoustic guitar / small amp and a Mic. A far cry from the loud amps and Drums that I had been more used to. Sometimes the more up close and personal it is the harder it is to get started for me. Once I settle down, I don't wanna stop though. Also, if you choke most people never even know it. Unless you puke. Then it is harder to hide that. =). Keep it up.

Fangar

[bunnygirl]

here is my 2cents ..i agree, with the above, simple nerves are normal and healthy. but here are some things that help you with them:
1) experience. go out and play out as often as you can, with the mindset of gaining experience. as something becomes more familiar to you, it will not be as threatening. i know though, it's those first 3-5 times of playing out solo that are scary. get thorugh those and keep going, don't give up and you'll find yourself 'getting used' to the experience. You still get some butterflies sometimes, but experience helps you remember that you've done it before and gotten through it.
2) ever try relaxation breathing? i'm not kidding. it' really works. you train your body to relax physically. it can really help. you practice deep breathing at home when you are in a relaxing atmostphere so when you are at a gig, you take some deep breaths and your body 'remembers' relaxation and you can train your body to loosen up a bit. (shoulder, neck, jaw, etc.). worth a try if you really want to try everything.
3) I SECOND AND THIRD THE ABOVE. believe me, the audience RARELY knows if you screw up, unless you let them know by making a face or something. and if you screw up a chord or mess up words, it's OK! No big deal. just close your eyes, focus and just keep going. make it up if you have to or if you have to, replay some chords to get back on track. (just don't keep your eyes closed for the whole gig!)
4) if you are religious at all, prayer before a gig never hurts and always helps.

Good luck!

[Roel]

Nerves are normal. I've been playing concerts since I was about 10. Even solo concerts (music-school kinda things). Sometimes, I still have nerves. But it really depends on what kinda gig it is. If I'm on stage with >10 people, I don't have nerves. If I'm alone, or have to sing, I do... Badly...

The thing you learn with experience is: you get used to it, you learn how to control your nerves, eg. how to keep them from influencing your performance, to even forgetting them while you play.

Alot of the times, I have nerves untill I start playing. But when I play the first note; sometimes I even forget about everything, don't even realize that there is an audience, just hear the music and play with it. When improvising on my sax, I even don't know if I open or close my eyes. I REALLY haven't got a clue. Those moments, you really don't care about the audience...

[theron]

Wow,
Very sound advice. Most of it I have yet to put into practive cause that would involve playing out (ha, ha).

My gumption is up. I've an open mike night staked out and will take all of your input on stage when the Christmass thing has passed. Most bars put open mike nights on hold for the holiday and in Minneapolis there doesn't seem to be that many options.

Thanks again.

I'll give you the results in a week or two if you'd like.

Peace,
Theron.

[badgas]

I began playing live when I was ten in a country band. I'm 53 now and still have sweaty palms before I solo. But I use to shake and stammer to beat the band.
Someone who was soloing at the same place I was, took me aside and told me to relax. She said that when I practice, to concentrate also on my posture and controling the nerves. It is hard to do, but I finally did it.
Another thing you might try to break the fright spell is to step outta your bedroom and ask your mom/dad/sibling/friend if you can play a song for them so they can advise you on a part, or something, anything to play one or two songs for them. The more you play in front of people, whether alone or with a band, the easier it gets. Also, when you know your material well enough to play it in your sleep helps a lot.

Like I said, my palms still sweat before I play. But when I get on stage and begin to play, I'm in charge, relaxed and havin' fun.

Yes Theron, I'd for one would like to hear how it went for you.
There is some really good advice in those above posts.
Best of luck, Theron.

[Roel]

One thing I noticed too is that taking lessons, and thus having to play for your teacher and fellow students helps. You improve on your technique and get used to play before people ON YOUR OWN. I play sax in a fanfare for over 13 years. Started lessons this year, nobody ever heard me playing sax completely on my own, I tell you. Sax almost shaked out of my hands. Now I'm used to it... After just a half year. (Once you got it on one instrument, you get used to it on other things alot easier...)

[JuliusIrvingJr.]

i always get drunk before i perform, not smashed, but get at least four beers in you. i found that i sound much better if i let it all out and have a few mistakes, as opposed to being reserved and consistant. try to get into it yourself. if it isnt going well after a few songs, starting drinkning heavily and rely on dirty jokes to get you through it. make sure that the jokes are really obscene.

[badgas]

Julius.
Man, I don't know about that.
I use to think I sounded pretty good when I took some swigs. Then I heard a tape of myself. Sure, I didn't mind the mistakes when I made them cuz I was feeling so good and playin' so fine, but those mistakes rung like bells.
If you have to get drunk to play and you sound better that way, your career is slipping away.
I've seen a few great artists do the same thing and just screw up something terrible cuz it got outta hand.

Not everyone who is in an audiance appreciates obscene jokes. One or two off color jokes is fine if your playing a long set, but don't rely on jokes to get you out of a mess the booze got you into. Your audiance comes to hear music. If they want to listen to a bunch of jokes they'd of gone to a comedy club.

Mental attitude will work best to overcome stage fright a lot more than any outside influence. It's all within you, you just have to work at governing your own thoughts and feelings to feel confident in yourself and your playing ability so you can play as you should.

I'm not bearin' down on ya, Julius, just disagreeing with your advice.
Take care.

[Fangar]

Originally posted by JuliusIrvingJr.
i always get drunk before i perform, not smashed, but get at least four beers in you. i found that i sound much better if i let it all out and have a few mistakes...

I think I would have to agree with badgas on this one. Maybe you might just THINK you sound better or good for that matter.

[Buffalo Bob]

Wow! A drunk musician telling dirty jokes! A booking agent's dream!

Bob

[jimini2001]

dude i perform all of the time.when i'm driving my car i'm singing,and if the people in the car next to me look i perform to them.i sing in the shower and in the kitchen.i sing to my dog or cat or girlfriend,or gold fish.i get scared right up to the point my foot hits the stage then i,m fine.the lead singer dosen,t get nervous until he gets on stage and stays that way until we start the first song.you just have to go into your zone and performe from your heart.you gotta stick it all out in front of an audience and if they like you it feels great.if on the other hand they think you suck it'll take a layer of skin off of you.the next night another audience in the same joint may love you.sometimes it just depends on the mood of the house.ask your friends what would make you sound better.it's easier to get positive feedback than to get honest criticism.practice!practice!practice!good luck.

[Fangar]

Originally posted by jimini2001
...i sing in the shower...

Dude...

You're not singing Yankee Doodle are you?

Fangar

[Downside Studio]

Open mic gigs could be hard because the smaller the audience.

This might sound dumb, but what is an open mic gig?

I guess a closed mic gig wouldn't make sense since nobody would hear you.

[jimini2001]

FANGAR,
i don't jerk off but it's my doodle and i can wash it as long and hard as i want.

[Fangar]

Originally posted by jimini2001
FANGAR,
i don't jerk off but it's my doodle and i can wash it as long and hard as i want.

=)

Well you know what they say. 95% of men in the world masturbate. The other 5% sing in the shower instead. What song do they sing? Yankee Doodle.

Fangar.

[theron]

An "Open Mic" or "Open stage" is a smalltime opportunity for a bar or coffee house to get free entertainment and an unknown hack to get some stage time. The bar offers up a night where anyone can fill a time slot (usually 15-20 min) and take the stage to perform.

I head out on Monday.

I've done a couple but, not in about 5 years.
Should be fun.

Theron

[Fangar]

Good Luck, Theron! I am sure that you will do well.

Fangar