Josh-Hayes
So I had my first real live performance last night.
My good friend and I were playing at a youth group talent show, nothing serious or high profile just for fun. We had done extensive practice before hand and had the two minute item pretty much wrapped up and ready to go. (It was a medley of a few songs, nothing fancy, two guitars and two vocals.)
When it was finally our turn to play ... I do believe we fluffed it. Even after all the prep we did.
I'm wondering what to do about nerves and such. What does one do when facing a room full of people and you begin to feel like throwing up? Now, I know I can sing and I can play guitar (at least well enough ? ). Am I being to critical of myself, or missing something?
I am not looking for sympathy here, just trying to work out a way forward from this altogether embarrassing experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
AlanRatcliffe
A few things off the top of my head:
Overprepare to the point where you can play the stuff perfectly at much faster tempos. This makes you far more comfy at normal tempo and prepares you for the chance that your drummer is amped up and plays the pieces faster than normal.
Play with people who are better than you. It's amazing how reassuring and calming it is to have people behind you who are relaxed and confident themselves. Takes the pressure off you if you know that you can simplify your part or even stop altogether and the band will pick up the slack.
Play so often that it ceases to be a big event that causes adrenalin surges.
Start with an easy song (preferably a crowd-pleaser) to build confidence. Once you sail through that, you're calmer and better prepared for the more complex stuff.
Always remember that 99% of your audience will not notice if anything goes wrong, as long as you keep going. And when you get compliments after a disasterous show, smile and thank the giver, don't contradict them - chances are very good they are totally sincere.
If you have a chronic problem with performance anxiety, regardless of how often you play, consult a health care professional. It's a common enough problem in all the performance arts as well as in sport and there are methods for coping with it.
singemonkey
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Always remember that 99% of your audience will not notice if anything goes wrong, as long as you keep going. And when you get compliments after a disasterous show, smile and thank the giver, don't contradict them - chances are very good they are totally sincere.
All of Alan's points are spot on, but this is probably the most important. You know how it's supposed to be. They don't. People listen with their eyes. If you look like everything's going fine, people literally believe that it is. People will miss the most egregious things, like the fact that you're playing out of key for half a song. People will actually miss that if you look like you're having a good time and giving it hell.
One more point is that regular exposure gradually takes care of all this. The more you play, the easier it gets.
Chocklit_Thunda
singemonkey wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Always remember that 99% of your audience will not notice if anything goes wrong, as long as you keep going. And when you get compliments after a disasterous show, smile and thank the giver, don't contradict them - chances are very good they are totally sincere.
All of Alan's points are spot on, but this is probably the most important. You know how it's supposed to be. They don't. People listen with their eyes. If you look like everything's going fine, people literally believe that it is. People will miss the most egregious things, like the fact that you're playing out of key for half a song. People will actually miss that if you look like you're having a good time and giving it hell.
One more point is that regular exposure gradually takes care of all this. The more you play, the easier it gets.
I once played an entire song with a C# chord instead of the required C and no one noticed.... It was my 2nd show ever and at the end of the night everyone commented that our performance was brilliant ? I've fluffed at least 2 of my performances.... Only the one was bad and that got covered by the girl who performed after me having an even worse performance.
As for performing itself, I've taken to wearing sunglasses on stage to help with stage fright, a la Mitch Hedberg. It started during Grease where I played my entire role in shades. Now I don't perform without them... It definitely helps if the audience can't see your eyes.... And you get to check out all the hotties ?
Josh-Hayes
Wow, thanks guys this has been an amazing response.
I can understand the 99% of the audience not noticing anything going wrong. I asked several friends to give me feedback in complete honesty and the response was generally that they enjoyed it. A funny thing said by one of my closer buddies was: "I enjoyed it Josh and don't worry, 'cause you weren't the worst there."
I suppose not being heavily critical on myself is another thing. I am, by nature, very sensitive to musical 'mistakes' which most people miss (i.e.: a slightly pitchy voice or bad harmonies, literally make me cringe) you can thus imagine my self-criticism. :-[
AlanRatcliffe
That ability to self crit is important in helping you develop (otherwise you end up on YouTube as one of the "reviewers" or "performers" who is blissfully unaware how far out of tune/time they are ?). But once again, bear in mind that most of the general public (and indeed, many musos) are blissfully unaware of these things, so don't let it affect your performance.
[deleted]
You know what...if people enjoyed the show then good job, keep on going.
Psean
Congrats :goodtimes:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Always remember that 99% of your audience will not notice if anything goes wrong, as long as you keep going. And when you get compliments after a disasterous show, smile and thank the giver, don't contradict them - chances are very good they are totally sincere.
+1 again.
In my limited experience playing live I've found that knowing the songs well
rhythmically is really important here (of course it's important everywhere). If you fluff a note, don't try to recover it, forget about it and make sure that you get onto whatever note or chord comes on the next beat in time. I came really short on one of the first open mics I played guitar at a couple of years back when I knew a little lead piece melodically but wasn't familiar with how it fitted into the whole piece rhythmically. Missed one note and then was pretty screwed until the piece was over. I've now been focusing on knowing the rhythm much better and it makes it so much easier to jump back on the beat in after a fluffed note or wrong chord or whatever and finish the piece strongly. And of course this goes hand in hand with the point about preparation.
And yeah, the more you do it the easier it becomes and the more comfortable with yourself you become. I criticise the hell out of my self too btw. But each open mic I play, I'm finding myself more comfortable at realistically criticising what I need to improve but still having fun and not getting beat up about the mistakes.
Keira-WitherKay
When performing live ,Entertainment is definitely more important than technical expertise ..... This is often why some technically brilliant players who are not entertaining personalities onstage are in the audience and not on the stage ... The ability to connect with your audience is what live performing is all about .... And of course constantly improve the skills and get tighter as a band but if the audience enjoyed the show ... Don't let any flaws get you down .... They will diminish over time
Sean
singemonkey wrote:
One more point is that regular exposure gradually takes care of all this. The more you play, the easier it gets.
Right there. It's something that is always difficult in the beginning. Just do it and get it over with, you'll enjoy it later as you get used to it.
[deleted]
It's also good to remember the context of your performance. If you're there for a talent show, what is really actually happening is that you are offering entertainment for free. They better take it or leave it.
Obviously if you have a big reputation and people are paying to see your show, and you make huge mistakes that they would notice, then big OOPS. Then the advice is work harder dammit.
Till then remember, you're the one on the stage, offering something that you've worked hard on, that you love and want to share. Only a really mean person would complain about the quality then, since everyone needs the time to get comfortable performing.
ezietsman
What Singemonkey said agrees with Keira and also with science:
http://mindhacks.com/2013/08/27/are-classical-music-competitions-judged-on-looks/
tl;dr
Lay people and experts alike were able to judge accurately the winners of classical music competitions based on seeing video without sound of the performers. This strongly suggests that the people who judge these competitions pay more attention (maybe without realising) to what the performers look like and how they conduct themselves rather than their particular interpretations of the music.
So for all the guys in bands with their boep hanging out just standing there, looking at their feet and playing perfectly, you are likely being seen as inferior to the 'n00b' who is putting on a good show but making some mistakes.
singemonkey
Another thing that's always worth mentioning. It seems like a little thing, but being there in good time and knowing that all your gear is sorted out gives you time to relax, have a beer if you want, and take a little ownership of the space. Even now I find I have the most terrible first sets when I rock up at the last minute (this has only happened like once... twice tops, right guys? ? ). But if I've had 45 mins to an hour, I can stand up on that stage and look out on a familiar space. Then I feel much more ready to look 'em in the eye and blow them away even if I'm actually playing a different song to the rest of the band - the confidence and performance will carry it.
Josh-Hayes
Thanks again everyone, this is very helpful. I'm itching to get back out there!
@ez: Interesting article, thanks.
@singemonkey: I generally try to make sure that my gear is all in order beforehand. Though about that beer, it doesn't really work when you're 16. ? haha
schizo
? haha ya the drinking thing before playing....when i use to gig i found when i was "relaxd" enough that my nerves didnt bug me anymore i was usually to drunk to actually play well.
The nerves is a good thing, keeps you on ur tippies - don't be too critical when looking at ur performance, during a hour set every weekend for 2 years i cant remember one that was perfect - something always goes wrong, either with you or band member - but like all the guys said you just keep going as if nothing went wrong.
The 2 biggest fails we had was at the waterfront, last song with difficult solo, i walked forward getting ready and my cable turned the drive on my pedal i was using back then, so i ended up playing the solo and some sweep picking with a clean tone ? good laugh though. And the other guitarist did a jump and the locking strap broke forcing him to play his guitar upright on his knees for the rest of the song which was awesome in the end ?
Josh-Hayes
Just an update: ?
I am going to be playing in the backing band for a soiree (light music and guitar mostly) on Monday.
I also get to do my own song! I have chosen to do 'Lonely Boy' by The Black Keys. I will be playing and singing it, and have really gone all out in preparation.
So it's fingers crossed... ? Let's hope that all goes well.
PeteM
Josh Hayes wrote:
Just an update: ?
I am going to be playing in the backing band for a soiree (light music and guitar mostly) on Monday.
I also get to do my own song! I have chosen to do 'Lonely Boy' by The Black Keys. I will be playing and singing it, and have really gone all out in preparation.
So it's fingers crossed... ? Let's hope that all goes well.
Great... good luck. :woohoo:
