Tell Me What It's Like to Play Onstage

[CoLd BlooDed]

Alright, so come May 7th my school is having a concert of sorts in the theatre, and because I'm in a music composition class I've been chosen to perform one of my songs. Now, I'm incredibly excited but I know at the last second I'm probably gonna get pretty nervous - I mean, last time I played in a coffee shop for school I choked intensely, and that was only in front of fifty people or so. On the 7th I'm playing in front of 250, including big names like Nickelback and Hedley. So my question to all you stage-performers, what tips can you give me before I go up? I'm already more comfortable with the prospect of performing one of my own songs (at the coffee shop I played covers which I had practiced twice or so) solo, but is there anything I can do to calm the jitters I'm expecting? Any advice for speaking to the crowd? Give me anything really, I'll be looking forward to hearing it. Thanks.

[Siиdяed]

Nerves aren't much fun. Don't let it worry you, don't let the pressure build up as it gets closer, and try to keep a relaxed attitude. You sound like you enjoy your music, whether people are listening or not shouldn't change that. If that fails try to channel the nerves. Pressure can result in some pretty funky stage energy at times. If you're talking to the crowd, possibly try listening to various public speakers and getting into the rhythm and metre they talk in - nervous speakers often come out sounding disjointed and stuttery, if you can get a nicely paced tone of voice you'll sound fine. Don't ramble, and if you can be funny, be funny. Whatever. Advice on public speaking always worries me. If you have nerves, being told not to have them in various ways rarely helps. Essentially just remember you enjoy doing what you do, and that the crowd want to see that. And hear that, presumably. The number of people really shouldn't change the way you play, it just makes the applause louder, and that awesome feeling of having a crowd's full attention and support all the more wothwhile.

[Bayside]

Get yourself amped up and ready beforehand. I know myself, when I was putting on several plays for a gymnasium of people (and in a few weeks time I'll be putting one on for Drama Fest, which contains several hundred if not thousands of people), I got really nervous before I was going to go on, but we got our whole group together, and we all just huddled and started jumping up and down and just going wild. Afterwards, I felt so much better, and I couldn't wait to get out on the stage and perform. This helps to take your nerves, and change them into excitement and energy, which is exactly what you need for a good show. So yeah, just make sure to loosen yourself up before you go on, jump around, act silly, just go nuts even if you feel really stupid doing it, it really does help.

[CoLd BlooDed]

That's really good advice, thanks you two. Nerves aren't much fun. Don't let it worry you, don't let the pressure build up as it gets closer, and try to keep a relaxed attitude. You sound like you enjoy your music, whether people are listening or not shouldn't change that. This is one of my main thoughts... what's the difference really between playing for one person or playing for three hundred? The assumption is that the reaction is going to be the same. Don't ramble, and if you can be funny, be funny. Whatever. Yeah, I'll probably have a brief introduction, warm up to the crowd a bit. All I really have to do is be myself, maybe make a couple jokes, and then we're off. I'm thinking of opening up with, "How do I look...?" Essentially just remember you enjoy doing what you do, and that the crowd want to see that. And hear that, presumably. The number of people really shouldn't change the way you play, it just makes the applause louder, and that awesome feeling of having a crowd's full attention and support all the more wothwhile. Couldn't have said it better myself, thanks man. So yeah, just make sure to loosen yourself up before you go on, jump around, act silly, just go nuts even if you feel really stupid doing it, it really does help. Yeah, that sounds good too. Maybe scream a bit, run up the walls, flail my arms around, anything that'll loosen the feeling. I'm also excited to play in front of some bands that have made it... the prospect of those guys being there just makes me wonder what could potentially happen? Maybe I'll rock the show and they'll come and talk to me later, which is all the more reason to do a good job.

[Carôusoul]

My record is playing to around 1000 people this one time at some festival. I never had a problem with it personally, but I know others who did. I'd say basically forget the audience is there and treat it like another perfect practice or rendition. If whatever you're doing is suitably good and challenging anyway you should just get lost in it. I played loads of shows back in the day and at the best ones I entirely forgot the audience and got lost in the music. tl;dr Concentrate on yourself personally and what your music sounds like, to you. Do not concentrate on what you think the audience is doing or what they think of you.

[CoLd BlooDed]

I think the bigger the audience, the less stressful it gets, just because there's so many faces it just becomes a sea of people. 1000 people is an impressive number. How'd you get yourself into so many shows? It's something I'd like to start doing. So yeah, this show is going to be recorded and put onto DVD and whatnot, so I'll try and put it on youtube and you guys can tell me how I did.

[Carôusoul]

I think the bigger the audience, the less stressful it gets, just because there's so many faces it just becomes a sea of people. 1000 people is an impressive number. How'd you get yourself into so many shows? It's something I'd like to start doing. So yeah, this show is going to be recorded and put onto DVD and whatnot, so I'll try and put it on youtube and you guys can tell me how I did. You just start small and build momentum. I did it by small shows in my hometown every week or so, from these people inevitably offer you other shows further away, and you begin to build up contacts. Then you get in contact with other bands who if they like you will let you play with them wherever and before you know it things have gotten larger and larger. As well as that utilise myspace. It's infinitely useful for getting gigs.

[Siиdяed]

Damn right you'll put it on YouTube. We wants vid or no real. Good luck. Obv.

[kingofclutch]

That's heckza tight! Wait, what are you playing, guitar? Or are you speaking? I am a bit confused.

[CoLd BlooDed]

Well I'm playing and singing, but you gotta warm up the crowd you know. Damn right you'll put it on YouTube. We wants vid or no real. I hear that! I did it by small shows in my hometown every week or so, from these people inevitably offer you other shows further away, and you begin to build up contacts. Then you get in contact with other bands who if they like you will let you play with them wherever and before you know it things have gotten larger and larger. That's perfect. I hope to end up doing things like this as I progress.

[AmazeO XD]

Well CB, I've been in plays and musicals for a few years now, and it's all in experience. Some people have stage nerves, some people don't. If you do, don't worry about it. Sometimes, it's actually easier to play in front of a larger crowd than a smaller one. Look at it this way, you're at a concert... there's 5,000 people there. Would you feel better singing/screaming along and having a good time with 5,000 people, or in a coffee shop with only 30? Yeah, that's the point. Anyways, if you're trying to lose the nerves, you can't worry about them. The more you think about being nervous, the more you'll worry about messing up, and all that other stuff. You've gotta be laid back, and just clear your head. After all, people are going to see music, not to boo at people who might mess up. So, don't worry about that. As far as "speaking to the crowd" (I've had to speak to the audience on closing nights of shows and stuff), short and sweet is the way to go. "Hey everyone. Thanks for coming out tonight, my name is *blank* and I'm going to be playing/singing/blahblahblah a piece for you tonight. This is *insert song/dance/blahblahblah name here*." Be sure to thank them for coming to see the performance, and get right to it. Most of all, have FUN. Edit: I saw that you thought about starting out with "how do I look?"... Don't. I mean, do whatever you really want to, but it's just my advice that you don't. Don't try to crack any jokes, or anything. Because the second you crack a joke, and the audience DOESN"T laugh (not saying they will or won't, but sometimes it happens) you'll immediatley be nervous and embarrassed. Remember, you're a musician, not a comedian.

[Ardent Lost]

There's nothing you can do to calm the nerves. And if you listen to a lot of really experienced live artists (big name acts) they'll tell you they still get nervous, and that it's all part of the buzz. I personally don't enjoy performing live, but i seem to be the only one. But that's another story. I find the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing. Just do whatever you would normally do. Talk to people backstage, stand around, whatever. When the time comes the time comes. Once you're playing you'll soon forget about the nerves and they'll vanish. That's always how it has worked for me.

[Siиdяed]

Don't attemtp to make a joke incase it fails? If you do make jokes - which I think you should - just make sure they're casual, easy things that aren't overly complicated and won't throw you off if you don't get a reaction.

[AmazeO XD]

Don't attemtp to make a joke incase it fails? If you do make jokes - which I think you should - just make sure they're casual, easy things that aren't overly complicated and won't throw you off if you don't get a reaction. Well, like I said, it's your performance, do as you please. But as Sin said, don't make a joke for joke's sake. Casual jokes are always fine.

[CoLd BlooDed]

Well, I was just gonna talk, really, and wait for a response. I wasn't going to go out and tell an actually joke. Either way, I'm pumped. Thanks for your advice. Tomorrow night is the night. I'll let you know how it goes.

[CoLd BlooDed]

Alright, here it is. Little disjointed here and there cause I kept telling myself not to speed up. Had the sniffles too which is why you can hear them every now and then. Overall, I was very impressed with it... but it sucks cause the last ten seconds were cut out where I sing "But you taste so fuuuuuckkiiin' gooooood." Thanks for the advice guys.

[Adam]

Hey awesome work I remember when I play in front of nearly 2000 people (DJing) and at firt it was really bad, I was so nervous!! But then as it went on I loved it

[CoLd BlooDed]

Yeah, you just gotta let yourself get into the music. Now I know what to do for next time. It's all about baby steps. Thanks Adam.

[Oneironaut Zero]

Not bad, Kale. I wish the mic would have picked up the guitar a little more, but that's ok.

[CoLd BlooDed]

Yeah, the guitar got a little quiet after I started singing (I hadn't sound checked or anything before, pretty much was just thrown on there), but oh well. That's my weed song, by the way. Or satirical piece of drug abuse, if you're my teachers.

[Venomblood]

Think about something COMPLETELY unrelated when you play. Think about a what's for dinner tonight, etc. I don't know if you can play like that, but I can. I've played in front of a couple hundred people and had some solo's. If you're hands feel twitchy and nervous like crazy, just think about other things.

[Kael Seoras]

I still have problems with nervousness but people always say that I looked calm and composed, even that it seemed like I was feeling it...I'm thinking "I could have sworn I was blushing and shaking up there" ...so I guess since I'm so good at hiding it I'm qualified to help...I usually just figure, I'm gonna get through it, people will think I'm doing great, I'll get this done with and it'll be cool.

[kingofclutch]

I would never be able to do anything like that. I would get too nervous. The only time that I don't get nervous when I am doing something in front of a BUNCH of people is when I play sports.

[CoLd BlooDed]

That's really weird 'cause I always get really self-conscious when I play sports. At least, in front of my friends cause they're the 'jocks' and are good with every ball or stick they touch, while I'm just the musician. Funny how that works.

[kingofclutch]

That's really weird 'cause I always get really self-conscious when I play sports. At least, in front of my friends cause they're the 'jocks' and are good with every ball or stick they touch, while I'm just the musician. Funny how that works. Yeah, well I'm only a freshman and I wouldn't call me a jock, but I play soccer and do track. The reason I don't get nervous is that I know that I am good at it. If you don't know that you are good, you won't do as well and you will get nervous.