upcoming 1st gig....uh..oh...

[clare_bear]

So, I have my 1st proper gig in less than 2 weeks time and am quietly terrified. It's a private function - our singer's work Christmas party - and thus far there will be 230 people there

At practice last night I had a few blanks about the next chord, so what the heck am I going to be like with a proper audience! The good news is that the buffet is coming out just before us, so they should be at least partially distracted by that.

Any tips on how not to throw up with fear whilst on stage, or to relax enough to be able to move my fingers will be much appreciated. And although alcohol may help the latter, it will only encourage the former, so that's no good!

[Col.Decker]

tre cool

a couple of pints will help calm the nerves defo. Remember you don't have to be confident, you just have to act confident ... so move about a bit and no foot watching. You'll be reet

[mattbanshee]

Originally Posted by clare_bear

So, I have my 1st proper gig in less than 2 weeks time and am quietly terrified. It's a private function - our singer's work Christmas party - and thus far there will be 230 people there

At practice last night I had a few blanks about the next chord, so what the heck am I going to be like with a proper audience! The good news is that the buffet is coming out just before us, so they should be at least partially distracted by that.

Any tips on how not to throw up with fear whilst on stage, or to relax enough to be able to move my fingers will be much appreciated. And although alcohol may help the latter, it will only encourage the former, so that's no good!

Don't drink too much before you go onstage, my personal guideline is if I've drunk too much to drive, I've drunk too much to play! Water is good, make sure you've got a bottle of water (not a glass- it'll get knocked over!) on stage with you. Most of all though, make sure you've had a good night's sleep the night before, and that you're as organised as possible. That way, you won't be tired or too stressed before the performance

[clare_bear]

Originally Posted by Col.Decker

tre cool

a couple of pints will help calm the nerves defo. Remember you don't have to be confident, you just have to act confident ... so move about a bit and no foot watching. You'll be reet

a couple of pints and I won't know who I am, never mind what I'm supposed to do with that plank of wood in my hand

Act confident...I'll give it a try!

And I'll get a bottle of water, and try to get some sleep the night before! - thanks, Matt

[BlindLemonAde]

Play thought the WHOLE SET, every day, from now until the gig.
(If it's good enough for David Gilmour before Live 8, it's good enough for us...)

Remember the Five P's : Practice Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.
(Give yourself the confidence of knowing you've prepared as well as you can...)

You WILL make mistakes on the day - just ignore them, and carry on regardless.
(Easier said than done, that one...)

Er, relax and enjoy it ?

Good luck !

The feeling when it's over is second to none !

[clare_bear]

Originally Posted by BlindLemonAde

Play thought the WHOLE SET, every day, from now until the gig.
(If it's good enough for David Gilmour before Live 8, it's good enough for us...)

Remember the Five P's : Practice Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.
(Give yourself the confidence of knowing you've prepared as well as you can...)

You WILL make mistakes on the day - just ignore them, and carry on regardless.
(Easier said than done, that one...)

Er, relax and enjoy it ?

Good luck !

The feeling when it's over is second to none !

Thanks for that. I have been practicing the whole set (well, apart from Teenage Wedding which bores me senseless!) through almost every day for the last week. I'm a bit concerned that by knowing I know it really well, may mean my mind will wander whilst playing it and be counter-productive. Fear should focus me on the night, I suppose!

I was practicing playing through my mistakes at rehearsal last night

[mattbanshee]

Oh, and the golden rule... Use the loo before you go onstage

[Estheroid]

Originally Posted by clare_bear

Fear should focus me on the night, I suppose!

I was practicing playing through my mistakes at rehearsal last night

Fear WILL focus your mind! Seriously - crap dress rehearsal = alright on the night, in my (miniscule) experience.

Try and enjoy it. As for nerves, I found drink actually makes me more anxious. I tried those Kalms tablets (herbal remedy thingy) and found they helped, as did a spot of meditation/breathing exercises. I spoke to someone who went through very bad stage fright whilst at music college and he suggested remembering why you're doing it - to have fun. If it stops being fun, why do it?

You'll be reet

[RolandG]

Originally Posted by clare_bear

At practice last night I had a few blanks about the next chord, so what the heck am I going to be like with a proper audience!

I carry chord charts for each of our songs. They are like an umbrella: if you carry one then it rarely rains. If you get really stuck then use the X chord:

E|--x
B|--x
G|--x
D|--x
A|--x
E|--x

If the bassist or drummer gets stuck then you have two options: pound the chords until they pick it up again, or drop out completely, and pick up from where ever they've got to. 95% of the audience won't notice, and those that do will appreciate how you get yourself out of the hole..

Originally Posted by clare_bear

Any tips on how not to throw up with fear whilst on stage, or to relax enough to be able to move my fingers will be much appreciated.

Act as though you are confident, and enjoying it. Your attitude will drive your reactions. When in doubt take a deep breath.

[atomicpanda]

If you get nervous, pretend you are one of your (musical) heroes. Also, don't be embarrased to spend as much time as you want tuning. Also, don't forget it's not Glastonbury, so you can afford to chill out a bit, it'll be fun.