Help! 1st time on stage...

[Blondy]

Hello Bass Chatters, 

 

Could anyone offer advice on how to stop nerves when going on stage for the 1st time please? 

I have only ever played in front of 3 humans and a cat... 😂 

Only playing one track at my brother's memorial gig (Nick Smith - doctor_bass) 💚 

But don't want anxiety to ruin my tribute to my beloved bro. 

 

Answers appreciated by 6th September. Gig is the 7th, at noon. 

 

Cheers Blondy 🎸 

[Steve Browning]

Not sure you can stop nerves. View them as an asset and use them as a spur towards your preparation for the gig.

 

Quite some debut.

[Lozz196]

Making sure you’re fully up with the material is the main thing imo.

[Elfrasho]

2 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Making sure you’re fully up with the material is the main thing imo.

 

I agree. It's the old addage, dont practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong.  Makes things alot easier on you when it comes to the day of performance!

[kiat]

Generally: before the gig, do your preparation, decide on a bassline and practice it. 

 

First time gigging!  Maybe play it front of any friends or family if you can, beforehand - anything to get closer to the experience of being on stage.  If it's outside go in the garden and perform it there, even to yourself.

On the day, give yourself plenty of time to avoid being rushed.  Zen out a bit, reassure yourself you've done your prep.

 

Just prior and in the performance, chase away any negative or self-critical thoughts thoughts with positive ones and remember to breathe - take deep steady breaths.  As its for family and friends everyone will be wanting you to do well and will be supportive.

[colleya]

I'd agree with all the comments about practice, but be kind to yourself too.

 

If you make a mistake then you make a mistake. I make loads every gig, and that's without an emotionally loaded situation like it sounds like you'll be in.

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your brother, but I'm sure he'd be unbelievably proud of you. Everyone there (and here on BC) will be rooting for you too, break a leg.

[jonno1981]

I’d love to know how to stop nerves! I think it’s healthy and shows that the gig means something to you, if you didn’t care it would show in your attitude and playing. 
 

It’s a bit like going into an exam, you don’t know exactly how it’s going to go, but you can control how you prep for it. In this case, learn the songs, rehearse and when it comes to playing the gig try to look up and enjoy yourself!!!! The crowd will pick up if the band are having fun (it’s infectious), literally no one will notice or care if you make an occasional fluffed note. 

[chris_b]

I was so nervous I didn't eat for 2 days before my first gig.

 

Anyway, have a great time.

[Geek99]

I used to be bothered but I’m better now. Just imagine the audience aren’t there and you’re playing for the people alongside you with instruments 

[MacDaddy]

1 hour ago, Blondy said:

Hello Bass Chatters, 

 

Could anyone offer advice on how to stop nerves when going on stage for the 1st time please? 

I have only ever played in front of 3 humans and a cat... 😂 

Only playing one track at my brother's memorial gig (Nick Smith - doctor_bass) 💚 

But don't want anxiety to ruin my tribute to my beloved bro. 

 

Answers appreciated by 6th September. Gig is the 7th, at noon. 

 

Cheers Blondy 🎸 

 

 

Physiologically the symptoms of nervousness and excitement are the same. You can use this to your advantage. If you start to feel nervous, give a big smile and take a deep breath, and while smiling think about how well you're going to play. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Maude]

Generally at a gig, and especially in your situation, the people watching want you to do well, they're on your side. Remember this.

Don't worry about little mistakes, just keep the music flowing. If you really get lost, drop out for a bar, regroup your thoughts and come back in where appropriate. As long as the band keep flowing nobody will really notice. 

Try to enjoy it (as much as possible given the circumstances) and I'm sure you'll make everyone, especially your brother, proud. 

[joeystrange]

Just be confident. You know the songs. You know your parts. You know what you’re doing.

 

Go and smash it 💪

[SumOne]

In the nicest way, it is worth remembering that audiences don't really care (unless they are aficionados that paid a lot to see your technical skill). Everyone with be supportive. 

[Jackroadkill]

1 hour ago, colleya said:

I'd agree with all the comments about practice, but be kind to yourself too.

 

If you make a mistake then you make a mistake. I make loads every gig, and that's without an emotionally loaded situation like it sounds like you'll be in.

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your brother, but I'm sure he'd be unbelievably proud of you. Everyone there (and here on BC) will be rooting for you too, break a leg.

 

Absolutely this. 100%.  Also, this being a tribute to your brother, mistakes etc are unimportant - remember him, have fun for him and don't worry about any bum notes.

[Geek99]

I lose my place when playing a tune and sometimes keeping time escapes me. Cover finishing early** by throwing in an extra note and finishing late by making your next bar a bit shorter so the bar after that starts at the right time 

 

**you can gauge both by watching more experienced musicians 
as said above, as long as it hangs together even vaguely no one will notice

[Geek99]

@Blondy just watch the others for clues 

[binky_bass]

For me, I always think to myself "what's the worst that can actually happen?", I mean even if play every note wrong, and accidentally fall off the stage and pants myself in the process, so what? Some mild embarrassment and a funny story, nothing life alteringly bad! Chances are, you'll just have a great time!

Edited 4 hours ago by binky_bass

[Geek99]

It’s a memorial service I think, so she probably wants to do the best she can at this point. 
 

no one will notice small mistakes, honestly.

 

I totally train wrecked with a super loud guitarist, and a drummer that I was too close to hear. I lost my confidence totally. The thing that got me back on the horse was realising that most audiences don’t care about small mistakes and that their standards were so low that “fairly close” was definitely good enough 

If you’re really stuck, stop playing, hum

along in your head and start playing again when you find your place again, like at a chorus :thumbsup

 

i suggest you get someone to record you and you’ll probably find you did better than you thought 

 

👍

Edited 4 hours ago by Geek99

[42Hz]

2 hours ago, Blondy said:

Only playing one track at my brother's memorial gig

Prepare as well as you can as proposed above and when you are on, be in it with all you've got, think of your brother and do the best you can.

[PaulThePlug]

Enjoy and carry on...

Have fun

[MrDaveTheBass]

Practice until the bass line is totally automatic. 

Don't be tempted to imbibe any Dutch courage before you play. Afterwards is fine.

If you do end up making a mistake, remember to turn around and glare at the drummer.

[HeadlessBassist]

@Blondy I knew your Brother well. First and foremost, he'd be very proud of you and so very encouraging. That should be your first thought  

 

If you're feeling nervous, block the audience out of your mind. Play for you, and play for Nick.

 

I'm sorry I won't be able to attend the afternoon's events, but after my Sunday afternoon theatre gig in Leeds, I'll be racing down to Peterborough and joining my friends Mike Brooks and Jaymi [the PinkBassMan] for a curry evening in celebration of Nick. Oddly enough, curry was the last meal Nick & I shared. I hope the afternoon event goes down smoothly.

[Terry M.]

4 hours ago, Blondy said:

Hello Bass Chatters, 

 

Could anyone offer advice on how to stop nerves when going on stage for the 1st time please? 

I have only ever played in front of 3 humans and a cat... 😂 

Only playing one track at my brother's memorial gig (Nick Smith - doctor_bass) 💚 

But don't want anxiety to ruin my tribute to my beloved bro. 

 

Answers appreciated by 6th September. Gig is the 7th, at noon. 

 

Cheers Blondy 🎸 

What helped me somewhat with nerves when I was first gigging was realising that bright stage lights make the audience more difficult to see. 

[KingPrawn]

That's an incredibly tough first gig, given the circumstances. I really admire and respect you for even attempting this. I think what will get you through is the fact that you're paying respect to your brother. Maybe think about how proud he would be of you to remember him in that way. What anyone else thinks is irrelevant. They are all there to celebrate your brother's life.  Visualise you playing on point and just practise until it's second nature. I hope it goes well for you.

[Reggaebass]

Best of luck to you Blonde, I’m sure everything will go just fine and it’s a lovely tribute to do for your family