witterth Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 [quote name='bilbo230763' post='729450' date='Jan 30 2010, 08:41 AM']Don't forget my bass players mantra: 'Nobody notices you unless you catch fire'.[/quote] I love that one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 LOL @ bilbo! That did actually make me laugh out loud! Thank you everyone for your support. I'm definitely going to do it for 2 simple reasons: First, I'll hate myself if I don't, and second, I can't let Mrs HT down. So, just one drink beforehand? That'll be a pint. Whisky. Seriously though, thank you to everyone. I will let you know what happens........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 +1 on everything said so far. They say you never forget your first time! This takes me back to the first time I popped my performing cherry, which was last week. I've been playing in solitude on and off for 15 years and decided about a year ago that playing bass and not performing with other musicians is like buying a computer and never connecting to the internet, useful but ultimatley your missing out on the main point of it all. One aborted band and a couple of rehersals later and it was my time to get up at the local jam night. The guy passed me the house bass and I stared at the fret board blankly, the count started and we were off. It happened and a few notes were fluffed... but not by me! Our three songs later and I exited the stage ASAP to polite applause and hit the bar. As I passed my money to the barmaid I noticed I was shaking like a leaf. I likened it to losing your teenage virginity. It just gets to the point where you want it to happen and you don't really care how. All too soon it was over and, although it wasn't great, it was still a buzz. We got up again this week for my second ever performance and we'd all improved and relaxed 100%, to the point where the audience wouldn't let us go without an encore. It didn't register at the time, but I woke up the next day with a big smile on my face. The 40 or so people there had thought it was great and I'd thought, "that wasn't so difficult and I've never enjoyed playing the bass more in my entire life". Don't worry about the nerves, relax, enjoy and by the time you're head hits the pillow, you'll be dreaming of doing it all over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 go for it! I've been gigging for over 25 years and still get nervous (in fact more so now,than in the past!!) - the best thing is to try to relax as much as you can and if you get a memory blank during a song and think you can't remember the next part, then just switch your brain off and let your fingers do the work . 9 times out of 10 they'll find the right notes!! the other thing (especially as you're only playing a few songs) is that it will be over almost before its begun - the time will fly and then it'll be the end and you won't want to get off! good luck! c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to... suffering. [quote]Good luck and let the bass force be with you![/quote] The BassForce will be with you... always Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 (edited) I did my first gig at 15 (47 now) I used to get nervous, but nowdays I just get excited at the thought of being in front of an audience. I have lost count of the gigs I have played, but I still make mistakes, I just don't let it get to me. Play the song you feel most comfortable with first, I can assure you that by the second song, you won't be nervous, just thrilled. Any mistakes, unless its an absolute howler will be forgotten in an instant (if they even get noticed) Enjoy being in the limelight! Edited January 30, 2010 by 4-string-thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Foster Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I can't think of any advice or comment that hasn't already been expressed, but I wish you all the best anyway. Just enjoy it! I wish I could experience first gig nerves again... but I'm absolutely thrilled for you. Let us know how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I got nervous for the first time in ages last night as I hadn't done a gig in 2 months, I f***ing loved it. Good luck mate, I'm not going to tell you to do it because that is the only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Go for it kid! Playing live is like sex. Even if its bad, its still pretty good! Dont worry about the nerves, everyone has em before a show. Have a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Have a cracking time tonight! Don't forget to tune up before you go on. All the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 All I can say is THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! That, and "I want my mum!" Won't be back on now until after the deed is done. Watch this space..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Just remember, your good lady is going to see a whole new side of you once you're on that stage rocking out and kicking ass. She will be incredibly horny for you once you finish playing. Save some energy for this and don't put it all into the show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netballman Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Just one more to add to the many voices saying "GO FOR IT"! (even if you've already gone!) And just to add... [quote name='Huwberry' post='729599' date='Jan 30 2010, 12:39 PM']I can't think of any advice or comment that hasn't already been expressed....[/quote] I can think of something. Go to the toilet first, in plenty of time. Seriously, when I played in a band 30+ years ago as a drummer, I suffered wee nerves every night (and no I'm not scottish ) Now of course, being in my 50s, I don't need nerves for that kind of problem to appear... :blush: YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME. Enjoy!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Can't add much to this thread - most of it's been said already (& I read your linked post - that's me as well - spooky!) Try & make sure you can hear yourself. My first time up as a guest for one number after a 25 year hiatus I couldn't, & for some bizarre reason I dug in like a madman - with my LEFT hand. Subconciously I guess I thought that fretting harder would make the notes louder! Upshot was that after the number (Crossroads at 90mph) my left forearm was like an iron bar & I doubt I could have played another tune even if asked. Place yourself so that you can see the drummer's right foot. Lock in to it. The panic passes fairly quickly - took me a little longer to get used to it when I started going to the local Jam/Open Mic night (the first week my left leg was twitching uncontrollably!), but after a few goes it has passed. That was two years ago. Now I find I'm getting a lot more relaxed & at ease with myself & my own abilities and starting to have a good time with it all rather than the fierce focus/concentration that I've applied up to now. Best fun you can have with your clothes on! Pete. PS - for preference I'd kick off with "Work Together" - that's [i]almost[/i] impossible to balls up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 After 20 years of playing in bands I made my singing debut a few weeks ago. I was so nervous that during soundcheck we did the song I was going to be singing and I couldn't sing it. When we did it for real during the night my arse was twitching like a rabbit's nose but the more I got into the song the better I got until by the end I was belting it out the way I should've been. Looking forward to next time, I'll still be nervous but it should be easier the more I do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Christ, he's going to be feeling sick as a parrot right now I never get nervous anymore, not sure why, I have every reason to be. I just get a bit distracted and flighty before stage time, can't hold a decent conversation. That's because I'm anxious to get on though. There's bugger all you can do about nerves is there. All those breathing exercises, meditation and that, all rubbish. Quick shot of brandy is what I used to do. That didn't work either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='729950' date='Jan 30 2010, 06:16 PM']Christ, he's going to be feeling sick as a parrot right now [/quote] That's it, you make him feel better about it. <sarcasm> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 [quote name='Marvin' post='729952' date='Jan 30 2010, 06:18 PM']That's it, you make him feel better about it. <sarcasm>[/quote] I can't wait to hear about it later (that's a Van Halen number), I bet he plays a blinder and can't wait to do it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I for one, can't wait to read this thread tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanrock Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 He'll be on a high for days !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 [quote name='oldmanrock' post='730103' date='Jan 30 2010, 08:50 PM']He'll be on a high for days !!!!!!! [/quote] He will if Nick H is correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 [quote name='4-string-thing' post='730112' date='Jan 30 2010, 09:03 PM']He will if Nick H is correct![/quote] You know it mate To quote Bon Jovi (I know, I know) - "Every little boy wants to learn to play guitar So he can pick up all the chicks and be a rock n roll star" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I'm sure we've had this conversation before. I'm a kinda quiet guy and the BEST THING I EVER DID was play in a live band in dodgy pubs that I would never have gone into previously. So you're shitting yourself.... some things you just have to do and you'll not look back. Trust me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Having recently started performing live gigs, I try to change the state of feeling nervous, to one of feeling excited - the two emotions actually feel quite similar, but one is empowering, the other not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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