Pre-Performance anxiety - What do you do to relax? (Page 1 of 2)

mrjay,
I've been playing music professionally(very low level) for goin' on 26 years. I get the pre-gig jitters before each and every gig. Got 'em right now as a matter of fact! I feel as though it's a normal human emotion for those who care about the quality of their work. Embrace your nervousness and let it fuel your performance. I'm off to play some tunes....

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

I do most of my playing and singing at church or in nursing homes. I have terrible stage fright at times. The hands get cold as ice yet sweaty at the same time. I have found that if I can do some talking before I begin it really helps. A testimony or a humorous story. I know that you don't always have this option but it helps me when it is convenient.

I always wear or have something silly hidden on stage.  When I played in an orchestra, I wore Mork & Mindy style rainbow style suspenders under my black coat.  When I was in a stage band, I wore a clown mask with orange hair and a big red nose at the start of each set.  When I was in a praise band, I had a small Gonzo doll that was somewhere on stage.  He hung by his nose from my music stand, or sometimes he'd sit on my amp, a few times when he was feeling bold he'd wrap himself up in a cord on a mic stand.  Gonzo eventually became sort of a mascot for the Joyful Noisemakers. 

The clown mask wasn't really all that hidden, come to think of it.  But we did a lot of Spike Jones style music, so goofiness was encouraged.

- Zurf

most time when i play in a pub I have had a few beers or whiskies but not enough so that my fingers are like rubber ( or my brain)
and like Southpaw says after 26 he still gets the pre jitters, butterflies, nervy twinges, whatever ye want to call them. I have played in front of people for about 20 years( not always on guitar) and I still get butterflies, even after a few drinks.
Angus young still gets the mtoo and everyone loves him, he can do no wrong on stage yet he gets them.

I tihnk once ye get passed your first song and you see if folk like you ( or at least not getting booed) you are passed the stage and are quite settled.
If ye smoke, have a fag and a beer. Draw a few pictures, play suduko, go online into a chat room and tell people how great you are.
Get a gun and shoot a few deer or pheasant.

Ken

Great replies! I really appreciate the responses, so thank you. Already, you're making me think differently about a few things.

It's refreshing to see that even seasoned performers like SouthPaw feel the jitters before a show. Southpaw, I saw a video of one of your performance in the forums recently, and I have to say that I would never have imagined that you were nervous. You played and sang amazingly... I'd love to see you live.

- Southpaw and Kap:

"Embrace/Accept your nervousness but don't focus on it"

I don't know why I never looked at it the "nervousness" issue this way before. To me, being nervous is generally a hindrance to any task I take on. It's an incredible idea to change a weaknesses into a strength in this way. What a great concept!

- Deadstring and Zurf

The "ice-breaking" tips that you're giving me are great. Your posts reminded me that no audience wants to see a nervous wreck get up on stage and perform. It always seems that the audience seems to feed off your emotions whether they're good or bad. Having small habits that get the audience to appreciate you, whether it's a humorous story or a funny prop, is definitely a good idea to help you feel less intimidated by the crowd focusing on you. I think the best artists that I've seen are the ones that get the crowd involved with their performance. Your posts remind me of a Swell Season concert that I went to see last year. Glen Hansard got the audience involved with the singing, and always had great stories to tell about his songs. It made the concert all that much better.

- TubaTooter

Thank you for the advice on the equipment. It's definitely a good idea to keep your tools in good condition and ready to use. One less thing to be nervous about...

These are great ideas. Please continue to share your advice and stories.

Stage presence and joking around helps. 
Check this out from Roy Clark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xunOH7haPK4

A good warmup is important too.  And if you're of a mind to do it, I have found that praying with your band before a gig is helpful.  Obviously that one's not for everyone, but only for those so inclined. 

- Zurf

I'd say probably the most important.  I hate playing cold.

Good point Russell. We're only playing a couple of songs, so I'm hoping to loosen up quickly. I think the second thing you mentioned is probably something that I lost sight of with the anxiety. I should probably pay more attention to playing the music rather than how people are going to react to it. Great advice. Thank you.

I found this on YouTube about giving speeches.  Most of it still applies.  I used to give a lot of briefings in my job and it took a long time to overcome the fear. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2yvpOHuvZA

that was a blast! and im not sure but it looked like Ron Wood on guitar and Paul Shaffer emceeing this jam, I was with a band in Shreveport Louisana and we backed fats Domino on two of his sets good times

mrjay - sounds like you've got a nice vocalist, so focus on her...play to her.  One or two beers, no more.  Listen only to music you're going to play.  New strings and new batteries.  Tell the audience something about the song.   They're living the moment thru you, and they're on your side.  It's gonna be good so let us know how it went.

If I get to go down to Florida some time, I will definitely let you know and ask you where your venues are. It would be a treat to catch one of your shows.