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Post by littlebobby on Aug 21, 2023 15:18:55 GMT
Got some dates supporting a relatively well known player coming up. It’s a bit of a jump from what I’ve done so far. I’ve had problems with performance anxiety in the past which is definitely getting better - particularly when someone pointed out to me that the biological symptoms of anxiety are exactly the same ones as excitement (which I probably should have realised myself, given that I’ve been a mental health nurse for 28 years) but wondering if folks have some tips that they can share?
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 21, 2023 15:31:49 GMT
ran up the white flag long ago. the few times i have played to a crowd i got all jervous and nerky.
i applaud those who can overcome this, but can't offer up a road map.
mitchfit
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2023 17:22:48 GMT
The nerves and anxiety you are going through are purely because you don't do it all the time and for most of your life. So it is bound to create some anxiety. You will probably find that after two or three gigs, you won't even think about it, the performance will just be a part of your day and walking out in front of a venue full of people will just be as natural as driving to the gig. I have been playing in front of people for most of my life and it is as natural as typing this message, but if I haven't done a gig for a while I do get anxiety leading up to it. Then when I get to the venue and start setting up, sound checking and then performing, it's as if I did one yesterday.
Advice....
Make sure you get what you want in the soundcheck. Do not let the sound engineer tell you what you want, which is often the case. Remember that to most sound engineers acoustic guitars are used to play ballads in rock bands, not to do what we do. They usually push the highs too much and run the volume on the house and monitors way too loud. Do the out front house sound first. You can ask for this and it is the correct way to soundcheck. House sound first and then monitors ALWAYS! Toby will know how to soundcheck so follow his advice.
Don't drink any alcohol or smoke weed before you play. It doesn't relax you, it does the opposite and it affects the accuracy of your performance. After the show you can drink and smoke 'til you fall over, but not before!
When you get on to the stage in front of the audience, don't rush into the first song. Take it easy and slowly and if you are feeling nervous spend a little more time tuning and adjusting the mic stand. There is no rush, the audience have paid to be there and will wait for the musicians to be ready. Then say hello to your audience and use that time to ease into the first song.
Make sure your first two songs are ones that just roll off your fingers and tongue on auto-pilot without thinking. Do not rush them - think carefully about your tempo before you start, remembering that nerves and adrenaline will make you speed up, so easy on the tempos.
NEVER speak while the audience are clapping, always wait until they stop before saying "thank you and the next song is..." Talking over the applause sounds terrible and very unprofessional. Make sure you are in tune before starting the next song.... there is no rush.
After the first two you should be flying and always remember that the most important thing is that you enjoy the show. If you are not enjoying it, there's no point.
Oh and one more thing, do not over perform or try to play harder than you normally do. You are not a band, you are an acoustic solo artist and the audience will listen, so don't thrash it at them.
I hope that is helpful advice from a getting old pro!
Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 21, 2023 17:28:11 GMT
Many was the time I went on stage as a bass player, scared stiff. I used to stand at the back next to the drummer, out of the lights if there were any, hat pulled down and play my socks off terrified. Until one beautiful summer evening about 20 years ago playing in a wonderful country pub with the sun going down I looked up and spotted a very well known revered bass player and a superb also well revered drummer sitting at the bar watching us.
Cheez - brown trousers time.
Our guitarist sensed my fear, turned round and said to me in the middle of our second number as he nodded towards them, "If they were any good, they'd be playing a gig of their own tonight".
That corpsed me, I relaxed and it always helps to think of those few seconds of non brevity.
BUT...going out in front of people with a guitar and a slide all on my own for more than one song is something I still haven't plucked up the courage to do.
Like littlebobby I too would like some help please.
Thank you. PD
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 21, 2023 17:43:23 GMT
The nerves and anxiety you are going through are purely because you don't do it all the time and for most of your life. So it is bound to create some anxiety. You will probably find that after two or three gigs, you won't even think about it, the performance will just be a part of your day and walking out in front of a venue full of people will just be as natural as driving to the gig. I have been playing in front of people for most of my life and it is as natural as typing this message, but if I haven't done a gig for a while I do get anxiety leading up to it. Then when I get to the venue and start setting up, sound checking and the performing, it's as if I did one yesterday. Advice.... Don't drink any alcohol or smoke weed before you play. It doesn't relax you, it does the opposite and it affects the accuracy of your performance. After the show you can drink and smoke 'til you fall over, but not before NEVER speak while audience are clapping, always wait until they stop before saying "thank you and the next song is..." Talking over the applause sounds terrible and very unprofessional. Make sure you are in tune before starting the next song.... there is no rush. Shine On Michael All what MM says, though I would normally get a drink before playing and possibly have the odd sip during the first set, after two drinks you may think your playing better after 3 you will think you definitely are..........audience opinions will be different. Sometimes ( never more than once during a gig ) I will start talking before the clapping stops ( not that there is ever much clapping) to so ‘No! No!, please don’t clap, just throw money’ .......... nothing so far. I try to laugh at my mistakes, a bum note on your first song can throw you out for the whole set..... Have a couple of things to say in case there is a delay, could be a joke or just some information about other gigs or a story about the song you are hoping to do when the sound person sorts out the PA . Pete
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 21, 2023 18:46:44 GMT
Don't drink any alcohol or smoke weed before you play. It doesn't relax you, it does the opposite and it affects the accuracy of your performance. After the show you can drink and smoke 'til you fall over, but not before! ...another bass player gave these words of advice, too: "Rehearse pished, play pished. Rehearse sober, play sober. How often do you practice pished?" Wise advice from Michael, too.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 21, 2023 19:53:47 GMT
This is developing into an interesting and useful thread.
PD, this whole thing about performing doing what you do now, is something I can help you with.
I like your story about the musicians in the audience. Sometimes just one person that you know might be out there, and it can throw you out of kilter. It may not be a musician, it might be a family member or a friend, but if not controlled in your mind, it can cause problems. For me, now in my fifth decade of being on stage, I don't worry about who is out there. I have come to the conclusion that is because i know what I sound and look like and completely accept that. I am completely relaxed and easy about hearing recordings of myself, or watching videos. I have learned to enjoy and most of all, to accept and be comfortable with who I am as a musician. At my age it does get more mellow and controlled, but it ain't going to change.
Shine On Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 21, 2023 21:03:24 GMT
MM said:
"Don't drink any alcohol or smoke weed before you play. It doesn't relax you, it does the opposite and it affects the accuracy of your performance."
J Mitchell said:
..."But now old friends are acting strange They shake their heads, they say I've changed Well, something's lost, but something's gained In living every day"...
mitchfit said:
Buenos días, amigos
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Post by Bo Grohl on Aug 22, 2023 7:55:50 GMT
Totally concentrate on the song and performance. Don't let distractions creep into your head, although this is easier said than done.
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 22, 2023 8:57:13 GMT
The nerves and anxiety you are going through are purely because you don't do it all the time and for most of your life. So it is bound to create some anxiety. You will probably find that after two or three gigs, you won't even think about it, the performance will just be a part of your day and walking out in front of a venue full of people will just be as natural as driving to the gig. I have been playing in front of people for most of my life and it is as natural as typing this message, but if I haven't done a gig for a while I do get anxiety leading up to it. Then when I get to the venue and start setting up, sound checking and the performing, it's as if I did one yesterday. Advice.... Make sure you get what you want in the soundcheck. Do not let the sound engineer tell you what you want, which is often the case. Remember that to most sound engineers acoustic guitars are used to play ballads in rock bands, not to do what we do. They usually push the highs too much and run the volume on the house and monitors way too loud. Do the out front house sound first. You can ask for this and it is the correct way to soundcheck. House sound first and then monitors ALWAYS! Toby will know how to soundcheck so follow his advice. Don't drink any alcohol or smoke weed before you play. It doesn't relax you, it does the opposite and it affects the accuracy of your performance. After the show you can drink and smoke 'til you fall over, but not before! When you get on to the stage in front of the audience, don't rush into the first song. Take it easy and slowly and if you are feeling nervous spend a little more time tuning and adjusting the mic stand. There is no rush, the audience have paid to be there and will wait for the musicians to be ready. Then say hello to your audience and use that time to ease into the first song. Make sure your first two songs are ones that just roll off your fingers and tongue on auto-pilot without thinking. Do not rush them - think carefully about your tempo before you start, remembering that nerves and adrenaline will make you speed up, so easy on the tempos. NEVER speak while the audience are clapping, always wait until they stop before saying "thank you and the next song is..." Talking over the applause sounds terrible and very unprofessional. Make sure you are in tune before starting the next song.... there is no rush. After the first two you should be flying and always remember that the most important thing is that you enjoy the show. If you are not enjoying it, there's no point. Oh and one more thing, do not over perform or try to play harder than you normally do. You are not a band, you are an acoustic solo artist and the audience will listen, so don't thrash it at them. I hope that is helpful advice from a getting old pro! Shine On Michael Thanks man. That’s all really helpful stuff. The biggest issue I have is with rushing things. I’m a late (52) diagnosed ADHD type and it’s hard not to do everything at top speed at the best of times. In my work I have stood face to face with some scary people trying to do me serious harm and it never particularly phased me. Been in some scary situations at times, but sitting in front of 60 people playing my songs gets my bowels in an uproar like nothing else 😁
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 22, 2023 8:58:57 GMT
Also, 40mg propranolol an hour before certainly helps keep the adrenaline in check 😎
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 22, 2023 9:24:32 GMT
I know some great musicians that do not perform in front of people because they can't. Some can and some can't and if it terrifies you that much, maybe, just maybe... you are not cut out to be a performer. I tried to run off with a circus when I was six years old and at nine I jumped on stage and won a talent contest. I know I would struggle to do your day job, in fact I quite clearly could not do it.
Keep us posted with notes and pics from the road and HAVE A GREAT TIME!
Shine On Michael
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Post by blueshome1 on Aug 22, 2023 11:15:19 GMT
What MM said then don't try and play anything that you struggle with and most importantly as soon as you are ready to begin, stop and take a deep breath - this will stop you rushing in which can lead to problems.
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 22, 2023 11:53:37 GMT
I know some great musicians that do not perform in front of people because they can't. Some can and some can't and if it terrifies you that much, maybe, just maybe... you are not cut out to be a performer. I tried to run off with a circus when I was six years old and at nine I jumped on stage and won a talent contest. I know I would struggle to do your day job, in fact I quite clearly could not do it. Keep us posted with notes and pics from the road and HAVE A GREAT TIME! Shine On Michael It’s definitely getting easier and the more I do it the easier it gets. Plus I have a thing about doing the stuff I find hard because that’s kind of the point of life I think. I’ve presented at conferences in front of hundreds of people for work with no worries - I think this is just more personal and exposing, but that adds to the attraction Plus I think I write pretty decent songs and one of my favourite moments in recent years was playing a version of Poor Black Mattie in a wine bar and watching a woman walking back to her seat suddenly start dancing while looking totally perplexed like her limbic system and her feet had hijacked her brain. Brilliant. I guess that’s what it’s all about. If you can make someone who has never been exposed to blues start dancing, that’s a good day at the office. This thread and the responses have been brilliant and thoughtful and really helpful. Thanks folks. Been nice to read about other people’s experiences and thoughts.
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 22, 2023 12:02:37 GMT
It's a pleasure and it is what this forum is all about.
I have also done presentations and of course teaching groups of people, but none of those things are anything like being a musical performer. Until it is second nature, it is an alien and strange thing to do.
Can we hear some of your own songs anywhere online....Youtube, Bandcamp...?
Shine On Michael
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