Playing live help public speaking?

[ooglay]

Alright, this is kind of weird thread; but I want to know what you guys (and girls) think.

Today I was sitting in my sociology class (Grade 12) waiting to present something to the class, sitting at my desk. Of course, I was nervous, as usual... but this time I was thinking it through. As a public speaker in ANY class or any situation in life, I get a very bad case of stage fright. I absolutely dread it..

ANYWAYS, I was thinking. During live performances with my bass or any gigs, I almost have no stage fright, no butterflies, nothing... Is it because I'm more comfortable with my EBMM than my own voice? Or is it that when I have a band around me I instantly feel more comfortable?

So here's my question:

Do you think playing A LOT MORE gigs will ultimately solve my problem of public speaking? Or should I switch to singing instead? (EBMM Microphone anyone??)

Tell me what you think, I'd love to hear some stories/solutions.

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you're playing on stage and not doing any singing or between-song audience interaction via a mic then I don't think it's going to do a lot for you public speaking confidence. It may improve your general self confidence a little, but until you get used to having a mic in front of you I can't see it making a big difference.

That said, stage fright is a good thing to have (within reason), because it gets the adrenalin pumping and makes you perform better. Once the first song is underway stage fright usually disappears. To use a sporting analogy (football, baseball or whatever), once you get that first touch you soon forget all about the butterflies.

I would recommend having a mic and contributing some backing vocals, and start to share the audience interaction in between songs. Once you've dealt with a few hecklers and/or made some wisecracks that go over well with the crowd, public speaking to your college class will be a breeze.

 

[ooglay]

Wow, good stuff good stuff. I might try some backing vocals, though, I don't have much experience in it. Nicee.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

Next time you have to speak in class take your bass with you, strap it on....problem solved............

OMB

 

[bassmancb]

This reminds me of the first time I had to sing on stage, it was an old creedance song.I got about halfway through it and couldn't sing the rest of the song. Anyways the guitar player finished up. After that one time I've never had any problem on stage. Just get up and talk to the class just like they were there to listen to you play.

 

[Colin]

I always imagine that the audience are in the nude, see if that helps?

 

[rhythmCity944]

i used to be horrified if i had to speak in front of classes...even if i knew the topic well...even if i was beyond comfortable on stage where i can play naked and not even care i still would stutter and overlap my words...

you know what cured me? I started talking to girls, and a lot of girls I didn't know...and if i didn't talk to them at school, the mall or where ever, i'd make eye contact with them and if they made contact back, i'd smile, they would always smile back, and if she and i held eye contact for a few seconds, i'd talk to her not even caring about the reaction i'd get from her...that broke my public speaking fears very quickly in high school...

it is like playing a show, you need to connect with your audience

 

[ekb16b]

agreed with OMB, just carry ur bass with u wen u need to speak to an audience

and Colin, imagining the audience nude didnt really work for me cos i went to an all guys school..

 

[PocketGroove82]

I can tell you one thing, when you get up on stage with a mic. and you're singing to people, the stress levels are far greater than when you get up and play the bass.
Singing and public speaking have a lot in common because not only are the things you say important, but also how you say them and influence your audience with your confidence, body language, and overall stage presents.
There are millions of people who can sing, but only a small percentage of those people can entertain.

If you want to get better at public speaking, then practice speaking in public. Playing bass in public or singing in public will never make you a better public speaker.
It's like saying learning to gut a fish, is gonna help you to cook a fish.
They are different arts.

 

[jasper383]

It may help a little, performing in public will always make you feel a bit more at ease being in front of people.

However, only speaking in public, and doing it often, will make you more at ease speaking in public.

Do you have a Toastmasters Club in your area? My guess is you do. Join. You will speak in front of people a lot there. Every week. That is 52 times more per year than you are doing now. That will make you more comfortable. Guaranteed.

Do the very thing that you fear, and you control fear.

 

[strummer]

If you're playing on stage and not doing any singing or between-song audience interaction via a mic then I don't think it's going to do a lot for you public speaking confidence. It may improve your general self confidence a little, but until you get used to having a mic in front of you I can't see it making a big difference.

That said, stage fright is a good thing to have (within reason), because it gets the adrenalin pumping and makes you perform better. Once the first song is underway stage fright usually disappears. To use a sporting analogy (football, baseball or whatever), once you get that first touch you soon forget all about the butterflies.

I would recommend having a mic and contributing some backing vocals, and start to share the audience interaction in between songs. Once you've dealt with a few hecklers and/or made some wisecracks that go over well with the crowd, public speaking to your college class will be a breeze.

Totally! Great advice from Aussie Mark!
Also, when confronting a crowd (in class or whatever) use the same kind of approach as you would in a live situation. Me, I often focus on a pretty girl, and play just for her, and the same works in public speech too, although you will have to shift your focus now and then or the rest of the audience will feel excluded.

 

[koogie2k]

Personally, I get a little bit of stage fright, but that is good because I am confident in my playing enough not to be nervous and put on a good show. However, I do not sing....which the public should be grateful...lol....
I think the singer is more focused on during songs as he is the one "speaking" to the audience. I don't think just playing an instrument on stage will solve the public speaking problem. However, possibly singing back up or as the main singer will help as all eyes will be on you.
There were lots of good suggestion here and many of them can be used to try and alleviate your problem.

 

[Moondog]

Public Speaking and Performing are two completely different things,
at least to me.

I've always been very comfortable performing, even singing lead
- and I suck vocally!

You need to work on public speaking . . the only way to get comfortable
is to keep doing it. Fight the fear and get up in front of people.

Toastmasters is great! real good advice.
So is reading in church, giving toasts, etc.
For presentations, preparation and timing is key . . . BREATHE

I've taken courses and done a lot of presentations - there will
always be some nerves and butterflies but the audience does
not pick up on that if you're confident and/or prepared

 

[tiffles]

lol ive done theatre alot so shove me on stage without an instrument and ill be fine and dandy. put something in my hands or get me to sing and i get a little nervous. works both ways, feel the fear and do it anyway. practice practice practice, once its familiar u wont freak out, if youve done it once, you can do it again good luck!

 

[ooglay]

Wow, thanks so much everyone for your advice and kind words!

I wasn't expecting this thread to attract so much attention; but I see you're all such a loving bunch. Awesome stuff.

I'll take what all of you said to heart, really. THANKS AGAIN GUYS!