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Walker Broad
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10/19/2010 10:52:53 AM
Coping with nerves
Hi,
I wonder if anyone out there has any advice about how to cope with performance nerves? Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't but when it hits it can be so disabling. I would welcome any wisdom anyone can share.
thanks
Sandy
x
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The Man With No Band
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10/19/2010 11:23:05 AM
---- Updated 10/19/2010 11:31:17 AM
Turn the tables ... I still get butterflies from time to time but this is how I first got over the nerve thing many years ago ...
Pretend YOU are the audience and the crowd is the show ... or get so far into yourself and what you are doing that you are oblivious to the crowd ... both have worked for me ... of course the crowd of 6 didn't notice ... lol
... ohhh yeah ... sometimes it helps if you imagine the crowd is naked ... that usually brings out an inner laugh that calms the nerves .... hee hee !
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Chandra Moon
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10/19/2010 2:03:33 PM
I find my nerves are much easier to cope with if I connect with one person in the audience and make eye contact with them - as if I'm having a conversation with a friend while I'm singing. I don't mean stare at them constantly haha but just making that connection.
Also, I remember that 99.9% of people don't sing in public at all and that nearly everyone listening enjoys live music and that's why they're there.
If no-one is listening because they're drinking and chatting I pretend to myself it's just a good practice session and don't take it personally.
Occasionally I still get the nerves and I think everyone does because we care and want to a good performance but mostly I try and enjoy the opportunity to sing my songs live - sometimes better than other times tee hee!
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Tom O'Brien
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10/19/2010 6:40:13 PM
Another thing to remember is that nearly everyone is on your side and wants you to succeed! If you are confident in what you do, then consider that you're doing the audience a favor by sharing with them your special ability. You're like a priestess celebrating a mass with the people. It's a common experience that you're all having. Just enjoy the same thing they're enjoying - a nice night out with some lovely music.
Also, for nerves, a doctor once told me that we tend to have too much oxygen in our brains when we go into fight or flight mode. Holding your breath for a while before going on balances the carbon dioxide and calms you down.
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culeoka
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10/19/2010 8:35:32 PM
---- Updated 10/19/2010 8:47:10 PM
the nerves are gonna get ya sometimes. only Thor knows why. ( bars/pubs) I always spend alittle time moving through the crowd makeing conversation wherever i can and meeting people.
point 1 - DON'T tell them your playing tonight. when they see you walk on stage, most will wave and smile. a smile makes everyone feal better.
point 2 - NEVER tell the crowd ( this is a song i wrote ) just play the song. if you get a good responce at the end of it, that's when you tell them you wrote it.
point 3 - IF you look like your haveing a hell of a good time, chances are they will 2
werks 4 me
cul
http://www.btwalkerband.com
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Stoneman
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10/20/2010 10:05:58 AM
In addition to being a performer/musician during my teen years, I was also a boxer/martial artist in the PAL. One of the things the coaches taught me was how to focus the nervous energy I had during a bout towards establishing speed and power in my punches. The way they put it was that the adrenaline from nerves can be controlled in your mind by giving them a outlet or focus. So I learned how to take the nervous energy and make it part of my fighting arsenal.
Fortunately, as I continued in music this skill translated over into my on stage performances. I learned to use the nervous energy to make my voice bigger and stronger, increase the wind power in my horn playing, the stamina I needed when playing drums and the sheer energy I displayed while playing Bass and Guitar. It didn't happen overnight but after years of focus I was able to use that energy whenever I needed an extra boost in whatever performance I was doing. Like in boxing, it became part of my arsenal. The result was increased stamina and power. I began to see the nerves as a positive part of what I do. Nerves are simply a biological response to external stimuli (audiences). This response can be controlled and used to your advantage. It has worked for me for over 50 years now.
I have arthritis all over my body because of my age. In my studio I struggle with stamina because of the pain. But on those rare occasions when I play live (basically I am retied from live performance now) I have no pain at all because the nerves kick in and give me an adrenaline boost that masks the pain and increases my abilities despite my age and varied ailments. Use the nerves to your advantage by focusing towards your performance.
By the way, after all these years, I never stopped being nervous when I perform. I am so thankful for that!
Hope this helps,
Stoneman
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Stoneman
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10/20/2010 12:21:55 PM
Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention. Always rehearse in front of a mirror. It's an old psychological trick I was taught early on. By seeing yourself performing you implant a permanent picture of how you look on stage. This eliminates the mind games we play on ourselves by asking how do I look when others are looking at me. You already know so it doesn't bother you. We always set up a huge mirror so the whole band could see itself when we performed. It also helped us to identify members who were out of sync with the routines. Or, frowning when they should have been smiling etc. In my day the whole band (except the drummer) had to not only play but, perform dance steps while they played. It was important that we were all in sync with each other. The mirror became a valuable tool in cementing the psychological outlook (stage presence) of the bands.
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Richard Scotti
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10/20/2010 4:53:04 PM
---- Updated 10/20/2010 4:59:10 PM
1) Keep a set list handy
2) Be well rehearsed
3) Don't eat right before the gig
4) Limit intake of booze or other feel good substances. They don't do anything but make you sing and play out of tune.
5) Don't wait to the last minute to decide what to wear. Wear something you know looks good on you and makes you feel confident about your appearance.
6) Don't do anything drastic to your hair right before the gig. You'll regret it!
7) If you play guitar, keep extra strings at the ready and bring an electric guitar tuner with a new battery.
8) Meditate before the gig.
9) Throw up if you have to! (But not during the gig!)
10) If all else fails, picture the audience naked, although that can lead to other problems!!!
The more prepared you are the more confident you will be. The more confident you are, the less nervous you will be. When stage fright becomes truly disabling, seek counseling. It can be very empowering.
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heads on backwards
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10/21/2010 7:41:33 AM
---- Updated 10/21/2010 7:41:58 AM
Our heads are on backwards, so it dont bother us. we just do our thing , it seems to work
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Walker Broad
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10/21/2010 12:17:06 PM
Great advice everyone, so many things to try! Thanks so much I feel less nervous just picturing these things, well most of them. Really grateful!
Sx
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