Stage Fright

Mucha na Dziko · 05-14-2021, 07:33 AM

So, in a month my band will be playing it’s first concert.

It won’t be anything really big, an outdoor underground 3 day festival, with 100-300 people attending, but still it seems like a big step for the band, and for myself as a musician I guess

And as far as one of my bandmates had already played some gigs (and he’s really a pro player) and the other one has always had a kind of crazy--no-care-for-anything attitude, I’m kinda scared ****less, because I’ve never done gigs before, I haven’t even played in front of anyone else than my friends/bandmates, and for sure my playing skills are the worst out of our trio (or quartet, if we count the drummer, who isn’t really IN the band).

I was wondering whether the ones of you who might have some experience in playing live, might give me some advice as to how deal with stage-fright?

**Frownland** · 05-14-2021, 08:29 AM

Easier said than done, but take the nervous energy of your stage fright and try to channel it into your performance.

Lisnaholic · 05-14-2021, 09:42 AM

Not a musician myself, but I once went through hell because I had to give the best man's speech at a formal wedding. I found that once you start, it gets easier; that the worst moments are the last half-hour beforehand and the first half-minute of speaking. With luck, when you settle into a song you are familiar with, a feeling of confidence will kick in.
Also in a different line of work, a friend of mine has to give an annual speech about tax-law ammendments to a society of accountants. He told me that, for a week beforehand, he has various stomach problems which we need not go into here. The point being that beforehand can be difficult, both short and long term. I suggest you think of a treat for yourself for when you come out the other side of the experience.

PS: Your concert is a month away? Invite as many people as you can to listen to you in the weeks you have before your concert - even if you find yourself playing solo in front of your aunts!

Guybrush · 05-14-2021, 10:12 AM

In my experience, crowds have been quite forgiving and appreciative and it never seemed to matter much, even if I played something wrong or we sounded like **** due to wrong/failing equipment or bad sound guys, etc.

This is especially true at festivals. Chances are you're the only one who's gonna care what you do wrong, so just try to enjoy it. Just don't get blasted drunk before you play.

rostasi · 05-14-2021, 10:49 AM

Don't worry about it.
Nobody will be there for the music anyway -
kinda like this place.

DianneW · 05-14-2021, 11:38 AM

Shame some have to put down another in that way just for asking for some advice/guidance..
.Hope you are happy with your gig at the time... and yes the thinking beforehand is the always going to be the bug bare..Same as any event that stirs you..I use to dread going to the dentist having ended up in Guy's Hospital London after a so called Dentist left my mouth in a real state...Now I really can't see any worries. I have a good one here in France and a replacement bridge was done last year, as I still had a few baby teeth hanging on and no replacements would appear...So that brings my point here... Confidence is one big thing so could you find a way to work on that...You will stand more of a chance to shine if you look and feel confident. Errors are going to be part of a live show, so let that one go.... Good Luck...

rostasi · 05-14-2021, 11:48 AM

Well, first, are you referring to my comment,
and if you are, I'm not putting anyone down.

Lisnaholic · 05-14-2021, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostasi

Don't worry about it.
Nobody will be there for the music anyway -
kinda like this place.

Good one! and, along with tore's, good advice too. It reminds me of that from-the-movie conversation between the musicians on deck who famously kept playing while The Titanic sank:
First musician: What's the point? Nobody's listening to us.
Second musician: They weren't listening to us at dinner either.

rostasi · 05-14-2021, 04:30 PM

The funny thing is that the setup he's describing is one of the best situations to be in if you're unsure of your abilities.
It's not intimate - partying people in a group out having fun together with, really, the music as something secondary -
and you've got people on stage who'll fill in with various antics onstage while you work out your playing.
I'd be thankful that it wasn't a club gig as my first one - with everyone facing you with beers in their hands.

Mucha na Dziko · 05-15-2021, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostasi

I'd be thankful that it wasn't a club gig as my first one - with everyone facing you with beers in their hands.

Yeah, I guess you’re right, I didn’t think of that

Still, no matter the situation, it kinda feels like a big deal

05-14-2021, 07:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mucha na Dziko Go ahead, Mr. Wendal Join Date: May 2021 Location: Paris, France Posts: 1,019	Stage Fright So, in a month my band will be playing it’s first concert. It won’t be anything really big, an outdoor underground 3 day festival, with 100-300 people attending, but still it seems like a big step for the band, and for myself as a musician I guess And as far as one of my bandmates had already played some gigs (and he’s really a pro player) and the other one has always had a kind of crazy--no-care-for-anything attitude, I’m kinda scared ****less, because I’ve never done gigs before, I haven’t even played in front of anyone else than my friends/bandmates, and for sure my playing skills are the worst out of our trio (or quartet, if we count the drummer, who isn’t really IN the band). I was wondering whether the ones of you who might have some experience in playing live, might give me some advice as to how deal with stage-fright?

05-14-2021, 08:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	Easier said than done, but take the nervous energy of your stage fright and try to channel it into your performance. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

05-14-2021, 09:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Not a musician myself, but I once went through hell because I had to give the best man's speech at a formal wedding. I found that once you start, it gets easier; that the worst moments are the last half-hour beforehand and the first half-minute of speaking. With luck, when you settle into a song you are familiar with, a feeling of confidence will kick in. Also in a different line of work, a friend of mine has to give an annual speech about tax-law ammendments to a society of accountants. He told me that, for a week beforehand, he has various stomach problems which we need not go into here. The point being that beforehand can be difficult, both short and long term. I suggest you think of a treat for yourself for when you come out the other side of the experience. PS: Your concert is a month away? Invite as many people as you can to listen to you in the weeks you have before your concert - even if you find yourself playing solo in front of your aunts! __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

05-14-2021, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	In my experience, crowds have been quite forgiving and appreciative and it never seemed to matter much, even if I played something wrong or we sounded like **** due to wrong/failing equipment or bad sound guys, etc. This is especially true at festivals. Chances are you're the only one who's gonna care what you do wrong, so just try to enjoy it. Just don't get blasted drunk before you play. __________________ Something Completely Different

05-14-2021, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,007	Don't worry about it. Nobody will be there for the music anyway - kinda like this place.

05-14-2021, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
DianneW Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 1,161	Shame some have to put down another in that way just for asking for some advice/guidance.. .Hope you are happy with your gig at the time... and yes the thinking beforehand is the always going to be the bug bare..Same as any event that stirs you..I use to dread going to the dentist having ended up in Guy's Hospital London after a so called Dentist left my mouth in a real state...Now I really can't see any worries. I have a good one here in France and a replacement bridge was done last year, as I still had a few baby teeth hanging on and no replacements would appear...So that brings my point here... Confidence is one big thing so could you find a way to work on that...You will stand more of a chance to shine if you look and feel confident. Errors are going to be part of a live show, so let that one go.... Good Luck...

05-14-2021, 11:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,007	Well, first, are you referring to my comment, and if you are, I'm not putting anyone down.

05-14-2021, 04:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,007	The funny thing is that the setup he's describing is one of the best situations to be in if you're unsure of your abilities. It's not intimate - partying people in a group out having fun together with, really, the music as something secondary - and you've got people on stage who'll fill in with various antics onstage while you work out your playing. I'd be thankful that it wasn't a club gig as my first one - with everyone facing you with beers in their hands.