Getting Over Nervousness

[Fender Man]

Nervousness, is a real problem of mine. When ever play in front of people my heart starts beating really fast, and my fingers get stiff. But nevertheless, I somehow I always pull it off. But after I almost have a heart attack. I played the lead on Red house by Jimi Hendrix at a Church Variety Show. And for you people who know the song, you know it's pretty tough. But it was like 200 people and I was so scared. When I came off solo, my fingers were sweating and it was just bad, but I somehow toughed it out, and it was successfull. Its really hard for me to play in front of people, Is there any tips you people can give me?

[StratMan1125]

Congrats on pulling it off. You seem to be doing great. I get nervous playing in front of the guy I take lessons from. He can tell to. He gave me big pointer. Breathe. I didnt notice but I wasn't breathing at all while I played and I was nervous as hell. He called me on it and I concentrate on it while I'm playing it helps me some. I dont 'seem' as nervous now. My situation is nothing like yours but I hope maybe it'll help ya out some.

[Fender Man]

maybe that's my problem, I'm so worried about playing I don't breathe. Thanks.

[Joseph]

I don't think we ever get rid of those butterflys in our stomach, its part of the whole experience. As the years go by we just have to learn how to control our nervous stomach, and to feel our way through what seems like a disasterous situation. Hey, but that Hendrix solo is a real killer, congrats on pulling it off. Sometimes it helps to move around on stage, it kind of gets your mnd going, where you aren't putting way too much pressure on yourself. Its impossible to play a whole show without making a few small mistakes here and there, but whats most important is lesrning how to work around these mistakes....

-Joseph

[jake sommers]

Yeah man, your nerves can be a tough thing to handle. Whenever i play in front of a huge crowd (like 150+ like 3 times a year at my old highschool's band concerts) i do try to move around the stage a lot so i doesn't look like i'm nervously anchored to the floor or just look at the people in the crowd. And if they are feeling what i'm playing i'm less nervous. The last concert i played in which was like a month and a half ago, i wasn't the least bit nervous. I went home so proud, i was like telling myself that this is what i'm supposed to be doing and why i've been put here on earth.

I know that feeling Fender, when you're playing and you can't feel your hands, your heart beating outta your chest, every note is tense and hands are tight and you get the feeling that your gonna fret a note so hard that you'll snap the neck lol, or a really big bend that almost makes your knees buckle and you fall down. The more you play in front of others the nervousness will go away. I also give myself a peptalk before playing, lol. It works!!

[dramsay]

Hello, I'm new in this forum thing so am not quite sure what to say. I have only been playing for about two years and can play many songs when i'm alone. However when I am around other people i get so nervous that i almost colapse. I had to play a couple of easy songs in front of maybe 12 people when the above happened. I was only playing a couple of easy songs too. ie, "Open the Eyes of My Heart", and the Papia song. they are praise songs. it was crazy.

[Fender Man]

I know how it is

[Led Zeppelin]

I used to get nervous playing infront of even 1 or 2 people. My trick was to close my eyes or look at the guitar(or both) which helps your breathing. Act like there is noone there perhaps add in a Quo waggle or Shadows Shuffle or even a Snake Charmer for showvoting. It works Im tellin ye

[Raskolnikov]

Well, nerves aren't a big issue for me. I get worried about weather or not people will show up, and it takes me a few songs to loosen up, but generally it doesn't get in my way. I think it has a lot to do with 11 years of Tae Kwon Do. I think anything that forces you to go out in front of people and do something, be it speak, play guitar, pick your nose, whatever. Anything that puts you on the spot will help. And the more you do it, the less nerves become an issue.

I also think that going out there even though your nerves are killing you is a big credit to yourself- I know lots of people who just can't get over that, and you are doing it. That's a big step, probably the hardest one to make.

[PeptoB]

Originally posted by Raskolnikov
I think anything that forces you to go out in front of people and do something, be it speak, play guitar, pick your nose, whatever. Anything that puts you on the spot will help. And the more you do it, the less nerves become an issue.

I totally agree with Rask in saying that being used to standing infront of a large crowd helps. I'm really shy when it comes to public speaking and all but my involvement with stage-acting infront of 2-300 people for the past three years has helped me incredibly for playing the guitar in public. And now rather than being scared, I get excited to get on the stage and perform cause I believe I've got something to tell the audience thru my performance.

[zepo]

I have a different problem than all of you guys, I cannot play in front of anybody in my family but when it's total strangers I'm fine.Any solutions for this???

[Led Zeppelin]

Do big long intros and ll to warm up then whe your ready perform.

[LEEtheV]

Originally posted by zepo
I have a different problem than all of you guys, I cannot play in front of anybody in my family but when it's total strangers I'm fine.Any solutions for this???

*Yup, find a good shrink and explain to him/her that you have supressed feelings for your folx (This will cover your ass for future litigation :D ) and then go steal dad's car, do a few donutz in the front yard, and then jump on the hood and do a five minute guitar solo (make sure ya got a fresh battery in the wireless :D ) loud enuff to get the nieghbors involved.....When EVERYBODY is outside, surrounding the car, trying to throw a burlap bag on your axe, shout/sing the first verse from Cheech/Chong's "Up in Smoke !" ......"My momma and my poppa try to tell me how to live...." ...Things should be OK after that..... V :)

[zepo]

I already tried that they got my basketball coach to kick me off the team for "wearing high heel sneakers and acting like a queen" C&C up in smoke

[jake sommers]

I feel the same way when playing or singing in front of my family. I'm no phsycologist or therapist, but i see it as being this (well atleast with me): With your family if you play something they don't like or if they don't recieve what your playing well, you got that anxiety in the back of your mind that they can always tease you or mess with you about that, but with a perfect stranger you only gotta to see them like once and if you mess up or they don't like what you play or sing, so what!! you ain't got them around to keep berating you or bringing it up. I dunno, but i kinda see it like that with myself.

[LEEtheV]

Originally posted by zepo
I already tried that they got my basketball coach to kick me off the team for "wearing high heel sneakers and acting like a queen" C&C up in smoke

*LMFAO !!!! :D:D

[Joseph]

I mean when you're in the company of others, it can get really frustrating when you're in the mood to play some of your favorite blues solos, but instead you feel prone to take requests. When your heart isn't into certain pieces you're bound to goof up here and there. Musc deals with emotions, despite what a lot of people think, it can be rather relaxing on stage when you can play whatever you wan't at your own leisure.

-Joseph

[Fender Man]

I know I hate it when people try to tell you what to play. I know how you feel, I'll be with friends in the mood for blues, and they'll want to play Death Metal.

[Zeppelin]

My last performance was at a school concert, with about 30-40 people around...
i was ****in nervous , but somehow i improvised and it was quite ok by the end...
being nervous is not something u can avoid, but after some time you learn how to play even if you are nervous
a good advice is to bring your part to automatic like play
when you dont have to concentare on what u are playing...

[Joseph]

If we didn't get those butterflys in our stomach before showtime, then that means that something is missing, because sometimes we need that extra bit of anxiety to perform at our best. Its just important to learn how to control our nerves, and its safe to say that we all have our methods. Some of us get totally wasted before shows, or just create alittle buzz, but alcohol has never really been a part of my plan, (perhaps after the show,) but when I'm on stage I need my faculties. Personlly, I always just tried keep a good conversation going before the show, it helps keep your mind string, and your confidence at a high level. So once you get out on stage, it can be the most natural experience.

-Joseph

[gnugod]

if your not nervous even a little your dead ,but what seems to work for me is close my eyes an focus on my music then it seems to just flow after the first song

[Joseph]

Its great to able to keep your focus on a certain object, or a particular person in the audience (like someone I know), because it can be rather overwhelming at times when we're staring directly into a huge crowd. The only downfall with staring intently into someones eyes during the show is that that person is most likely to trample you after the show, (because of a strong connection that was felt.) For me I just move around like theres no tomorrow, it keeps my blood pumping, anbd it keeps my mind busy..

-Joseph

[Axl_Rose]

Well ive only been playing for 4months, so ive only played infront of like 5 mates at the most, but i think its the same. I used to get nervous and sweat like hell!! But just remember, any mistakes are just artistic licence and your mates prolly cant play guitar!!
But the main way i personally dont get nervous is because i feel proud to be playing a slash solo and doing it justice. ( i play mainly guns n roses stuff) I think about ex girlfriends and why i learnt the guitar tunes in the first place, for sweet child o mine especially, the intro is me n this girl vicky meeting, the bridge parts are the good times, the solo (non wah part) is our argument, and the wah bit is the break up!!

Later Axl

[sleek102]

A few weeks ago my band and I played infront of our school...I'm the lead guitarist and we were playing 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns 'N" Roses. Anyways I was nervous as hell before we got going and I was really worried about stuffing it up..Specially on the solos..Well I actually played really well and about a 1/4 way through the song my nerves had gone and I just closed my eyes and played from my heart..And thats what it's all about i guess.

[Martin Spaans]

It's good to hear you're not the only one.
Our last drummer was so nervous, all the shows we must cancel. I.m still not ready he said, now there's another drummer and it's great doing a show, everyone is nervous, although some say there not but they reacting differently then normal. Everyone has it's own way to cope with it. One is agitated, the other very quiet.
Make a good setlist, don't play the hardest parts in the beginning.
We start the show with a very easy song, lets say 2 chords and introduce ourself. You can play anything you want to get it warm. Don't forget a good warm up before going on stage and focus on the instrument.
Important as band is to relie on eachother. When someone didn't do his homework your own efforts will not be heared.
By the way only musicians look and listen very critical.
In the public most people can't play any instrument. When the sound is good and the song is good they find it great.
Oh did something go wrong, I didn't hear it they say.
It's good to realize this. With all the preparations for a show I know I can play it all, I want to play it also alive but when the sound is good and people liked it it's allright with me if I made some mistakes.
Before playing my heart beats like hell, so let it beat, it's worse when it don't, take a deep breath , sigh and sing. I like singing but only with my guitar in my hands. I never sing when someone asks me.
Every show you learn from it. The day before is my worst day, then I think, suppose I forget it all??? My lyrics, the solo positions, the changes, the ending, the mistakes i'm going to make etc.... I drink a bottle of wine, see it all in a relative way and try to enjoy the exitement of it all. That's where you do it for.

After all there comes a day that it's all perfect. Everybody has a good day and inspiration and the music is excellent.... but.......the public didn't heared it.