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As part of the curriculum where I get lessons, we do a student gig every 3 to 4 months. At last nights lesson we were given a date for the next one, which will be on the 5th December. Our tutor has given us the song he wants us to learn, and we went through the arrangement last night for the first time.
To say im nervous is a MASSIVE understatement! Apart from obvious things like making sure my equipment is correct etc, are there any tips that you seasoned giggers could give me? Do you still get nervous? How do you deal with it? Is it all about preparation? I want to make sure I have the song absolutely down before stepping on to that stage!
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Preparation, work out where the loos are in the venue so you can have a piddle five minutes before show time (seriously), don't do anything that would wind you up anyway like too much caffeine or getting into an argument or running late for the venue. Doing stuff that puts you in the right frame of mind like putting on your bestest shirt works for some people (like Cirrus!) and remember it's only playing a song, the worst that can happen is mild embarrassment.
Practise at home (or ideally at gig volume, with band) whilst standing up, even in front of a mirror. You might feel a bit daft, but a) it makes certain that the change in posture from sitting to standing (if you usually practise sitting down) doesn't throw you, and b) you might notice any little foibles in your performance / stance.
You don't have to be throwing rock star shapes and jumping off shit (that's me and @JonnyScaramanga 's job ) but keeping your back straight and head up helps project an air of 'no problem, do this shit every day' as well as encouraging you to be looking at the audience rather than your fretboard.
Oh, and get your foot tapping - I'm amazed at the number of amateur / 'semi-pro' bands I see where there's not a single foot tapping onstage, everyone but the drummer near-motionless, and unsurprisingly the rhythm drifts like an Impreza on a beach.
Last thing - even if it's just one song, take a spare guitar. You're 99.99% certain not to need it, but it's a comfort blanket that might stop you getting nervous about what happens if a string breaks or your electronics go down during soundcheck.
When I get changed before I go on, it's almost like putting on a persona. Become the guitarist you'd admire... cool, in control.
When the adrenaline kicks in you have to use it as a positive force, by turning the butterfly feeling into excitement for what a great experience your going to have, instead of anxiety over what might go wrong. Tell yourself "This is going to be awesome", "This is what I've been practicing for" that kind of thing.
This might not apply to you this time around, but I have in the past made the first song something I can just bash out and stomp my foot to. That burns off a lot of the adrenaline too.
Obviously be prepared, but ultimately enjoy it. It's a great hobby and everyone in the crowd will be wishing you well enjoying hearing you play.
Thanks all for the advice/encouragement so far, its much appreciated. Lots of practising (I call it Wife annoyance) to be done!!
Incidentally, playing to an audience is something thats been on my bucket list for a while, so im just going to try and embrace it.
Thanks again.
Daydream performing the song over, including getting up on stage, plugging in etc. The pros call this 'visualisation' but 'daydreaming' works as well for me ;-)
At the end, raise your hand in acknowledgement of the applause, applaud your band mates, and shake hands with / high-five the other band members, to con the audience that you all did a fantastic job.
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Thanks all again for the tips/advice. I think ive got a cape somewhere...dont ask
This weekend, I plugged my phone into my amp and actually played along with the song NUMEROUS times, and im pretty sure ill be ok come gig day (playing-wise). Just going to stock up on immodium I reckon!
At this point, ive told the missus that she isnt allowed to come and watch, but ill see how I feel closer to the time.