OT: Playing Live

[Melissa]

Just a quick question for all of you who play live.

My instructor has been trying to get me to play in more public venues for a couple of months now and, well, frankly it scares the hell out of me. Apparently I no longer get the option and my excuse of being new at this isn't working anymore.

I was just wondering how you all dealt with playing in front of a lot of people for the first time and does it get easier with time?

Thanks!

 

[RitchieDarling]

Applause....

All it took for me was to hear applause for the first time. I never had stage fright again.

I have had stage SHAME a few times. I once did an entire show turned towards the drummer with my head down!

Ritchie

P.S. Hey! What part of Idaho? I am considering moving up there!

 

[Melissa]

I have had stage SHAME a few times. I once did an entire show turned towards the drummer with my head down!

That's what scares me, but I'm lucky (or not!) that it's just going to me and the guitarist/singer. I have no where to hide.

P.S. Hey! What part of Idaho? I am considering moving up there!

I'm in Boise - southwest. It's not too bad here. What part are you considering moving to? Ironically, I was looking at moving to Arizona.

 

[RitchieDarling]

I was considering Wallace, Idaho. Or Idaho Falls.

It's just something I had researched when it looked like my company was going to move to cCentral America!

Gorgeous up there though!

Ritchie

 

[Psycho Ward]

I usually perform naked, sure takes the attention away from my crappy playing!


All seriousness aside, just try to be calm; knowing the songs will greatly help on the calm front. Also remember its just music, no matter how bad you think you are its only music. A bad performance is no more etched in stone than a great performance, just play and have fun. Stuff will go wrong, but just keep going.

 

[DJBenzBass]

That's what scares me, but I'm lucky (or not!) that it's just going to me and the guitarist/singer. I have no where to hide.
I'm in Boise - southwest. It's not too bad here. What part are you considering moving to? Ironically, I was looking at moving to Arizona.

Don't hide. Concentrate on playing, and whenever you look out to the audience, don't look into their eyes. Focus on the tops of their heads. You'll be amazed how well that works.

 

[roballanson]

I think the best thing is just to get lost in the music you are making, know the tunes inside out and listen to your band mates, if you are enjoying it the crowd will as well. I still get a little nervous even after 20years but it is one of the most enjoyable and exhilirating things...

Oh and a little shot of whisky/whiskey/bourbon helps a little...but no more than one for luck.....

 

[silverburst]

My best advice is to know the material cold. I do alot of public speaking, and knowing the material and practicing it all out beforehand makes the biggest difference. It goes the same for playing. I hated trying out for the first few bands I was in.

After the first few times it gets alot easier. At least for me.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Drinking helps.

 

[adouglas]

RELAX and have fun. Smile. Loosen up. Make jokes. That's what it's all about. And yes, it does get easier.

You're your own worst critic. Unless you do something incredibly dumb (I mean INCREDIBLY dumb, like playing the wrong bass line for a song) chances are nobody's going to notice but you and the other people on stage. Often even they don't notice. Just let it go.

Live playing is all about being in the moment. If you miss a chord change or play the wrong note, realize that there is nothing you can do to take it back. It's done, it's out there. So, forget about it and move on. Don't cringe, don't berate yourself. DON'T APOLOGIZE TO THE AUDIENCE!!!!

I had this longstanding argument with my guitarist, who was really concerned with sounding just right all the time. I kept on saying that people aren't there to be music critics, they're there to have a good time. And if you're having a good time, they are.

Eventually he finally "got it." He relaxed. We played a gig where we made sixteen different kinds of mistakes, but we just rolled with with it and nobody noticed but us. We had a ball. The crowd loved it.

It's been like that ever since. The best shows happen when we're having fun.

 

[adouglas]

Drinking helps you think you sound incredibly good when what it really does is screw up your timing and annoy everyone else in the room.

Fixed it for ya.

 

[tkarter]

Playing live the first time is like playing with a new band the first time.

When nervous remember bass lines aren't hurt very much by dropping notes you play.

Tell yourself it is fun to play live. Once you have you can't wait until the next time you play live.

Just go get your feet wet and have a blast.

tk

 

[brooklynfall]

I spent the entirety of my first show facing directly opposite from the audience (my fellow high schoolers at a talent show). By the second song, they were yelling "Turn around Phil!" And honestly, I literally couldn't. It took me a while to realize that for the most part, your audience wants to see you, and is in fact rooting for you. I just try to remember that when I go on stage.

Nowadays, I welcome the adoration.

 

[tiffles]

hell tiger, youre a chick. that kicks ass. youre already off on a great start lol.
i miss playing live with a band, its scary at first, but im sure ull do great. if youre teacher reckons you are ready for it. go kick some ass and know that im jealous.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Fixed it for ya.

I'm talking "one shot" drinking, not "one bottle" drinking.

 

[Big Poppa]

ITs like jumping into a pool that is 3 degrees colder than you like..the worst part is diving in and after five minutes the water is fine. Adouglas made some good points...if you play a bad not or get lost pretend like nothing happened....unless it is your signifigant other or you mom nobody is really listeing that intently....It is the most fun thin I do.......

 

[Big Poppa]

melissa Im spending the summer in CDA

 

[bassmonkey]

Be careful with alcohol. I can't even have one drink prior to a performance. Just one totally messes up my timing and manual dexterity, so I'm always tee total for gigs.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

ITs like jumping into a pool that is 3 degrees colder than you like..the worst part is diving in and after five minutes the water is fine. Adouglas made some good points...if you play a bad not or get lost pretend like nothing happened....unless it is your signifigant other or you mom nobody is really listeing that intently....It is the most fun thin I do.......

That nails it pretty good

It's a step to get over at first getting out on stage where people can see and hear you, but the nerves soon leave and you will have the time of your life.

As long as you know the songs and what you are doing, you should be fine, it takes a fair screwup for the audience to notice (apart from the couple of musicians hiding in the back), so any problems, roll with it and just keep on playing, just remember a spare set of strings and lead

Most importantly? Go out and have fun, if you look like you are enjoying yourself on stage, the audience picks up on it and generally has a better time too (which feeds round to you again when you see lots of happy people in the audience...)

David

 

[bassmonkeee]

Be careful with alcohol. I can't even have one drink prior to a performance. Just one totally messes up my timing and manual dexterity, so I'm always tee total for gigs.

Heh...I've seen you with alcohol. I think you made the right decision.