General Music Chat

Hey Crip,

Aint that the truth. .I never thought of it like that.You made me think of the times your rushed settin up, or like you said" not going on when sheduled", or tryin to figure out how to stop that 4 KHZ feed back..Your auto pilot seems to take over after the first note is struck and its the end of the set before ya know it..I think I do play better under the gun like that...hmmm..This SAT, if nothing goes wrong, Ill pick a fight with the drummer at 8:50 and see if it works when its planned...


John

I only have stage fright if I'm not sure of the accompaniment around me. If I know everyone is solid with the material and there's nothing but really quality players then I have no fear. Later...

LOL...GREAT question!!!!

Yes. I get jittery. I become a total jerk the whole day of a gig. Everything bugs me, unless it's perfect (which has never ever happened, btw) until I go on.

I've learned to keep my mouth shut before I go on, and my bandmates all tease me cuz they know I'm a wreck, but this ain't no place for the weak, is it? I sweat profusely as soon as I take the stage with the axe in hand.

It usually takes me about 3 songs to get the feel of the audience, and I start to calm down a bit. I love the rush, the excitement, even the anxiety. ( Perhaps I'm more masochistic than I'd like to believe. ) I love overcoming it all, and when it's a good show I often feel like I've won a marathon.

Once I get going it's hard to stop me. I once played for 9 hrs straight at a party, playing different instruments for 6 different acts, as well as doing a solo set. ( I only played with ppl who asked me to. ) Never stopped sweating, though.

Ppl tell me I'm a natural, that I relate to the crowd well, that I'm a very good performer. If they could see what I am on the inside, they'd most likely tell me that I should never try it again.

If I ever lost that rush, I don't know if it would be a blessing or a curse.

One time I was shaking all over, and really felt bad before going on. This was when I was the opening act for a big name band, in a concert venue. I walked onto the stage and said "Hi, my name is Phil Montgomery, and I'm an underachiever." Then I walked off. Ppl laughed, & I had established a rapport, and felt cool enough to perform. It was one of my best shows.

For me, stage fright is just part of the job description.

Kramerguy,
if you're basically already a non-drinker, don't start because 'it relaxes you' . . .
That can be the first step on a very slippery slope, my friend . . .

Lol, no worries... I did some fairly profound experimentation in my youth... Was always smart enough not to get hooked on the hard candy. Saw what it did to a few people who did get hooked.

In the end, I always preferred the refer to the drink, by a longshot. With the current status (in PA it's a very harsh penalty for just having a joint, which can include jail time...) I just don't do it, I have a wife and kid to take care of. But the day they legalize it (dare to dream), I'm smokin a giant fatty. booyah!

I may be a tad nervous tonight! My bassist is leaving after tonight and a plethora of bands are coming down to say goodbye to him which means instead of just a buncha friends, it's gonna be a room full of critique!

I think it's always best to be clear-minded on stage.
I want to experience my music the same way the audience experiences it . . .

Best of luck tonite, Crip.

I feel for ya.

For me, playing for other musicians was never that big of a big deal cuz I can always remember that they're not my usual audience...the regulars are the ones I sweat over. They're the ones that invariably have the best suggestions & criticisms by far. Musicians are always going to be rougher on the stuff that to most ppl is simply unknown or unimportant.

If a reg says the sound was funny, I'll go to a musician & have him tell me in what way. But if a musician says something on his own, I try to remember where it's coming from...his taste...his perspective. That's not to say I dismiss it out of hand, just that more often than not it's a difference in personal taste. I can live with that.

If a reg says it's too loud, I'll NEVER ask a musician for his opinion...LOL...I usually turn it down.

I've done much Public Speaking and Demos in my time, but only a few live gigs. So far once I start playing my strat (usuall in the first song) the anxiety is gone.

I'm always a little nervous before playing for others. The trick is just to channel it and let the adrenaline do the work. Don't try to think too hard about what you're gonna play, just focus and let it come to you. And remember, you can drown in 10 feet of water just as you can in 1000 feet, so there's no reason to be "more" or "less" nervous. Unless, of course, you don't know what you're doing! Then the nerves are gonna come no matter what! So just do your best and figure whatever happens happens.

By the way, I have stage fright I think. But if I got out there I would probably be alright after a moment. Because I am getting much more confident in my playing.

Peace out, GuitarAnatomy.

Don't know yet..Will tell ya when I start gigging in May or there abouts

Here's some pics of me the other night with more "stage frightening" over stage fright! Oh.... I'm the silly one with the strat and white Paul...

Click Here If U Dare!:shock:

Here's some pics of me the other night with more "stage frightening" over stage fright! Oh.... I'm the silly one with the strat and white Paul...

Click Here If U Dare!:shock:

Vicious bro! You may as well be 20 again!

Hey, my wife used to have a pierced tongue too! LOL

Thanx... Yeah that pierced tongue comes in handy once in a while! Holy Crap! What a great show we put on that night! The place was hoppin' the people were shaking our hands left and right when we got off... Just all around perfect gig.............until....ummmm..... here, click this thread to see the anger and disdain my singer now has for this club!
Click Here If U Dare!