Playing for others

JJLipton

So in my elective class today everyone brought in pedals and guitars to show to each other. When it came time i plugged my big muff into the teachers old musicman amp and tried to play. It was pretty bad, i cant remember the last time i had played in front of a group. I was so nervous that my hands were uncontrollably shaking and i could barely manage a few licks from "manic depression". It was very embarassing, it also didnt help that i was playing a poorly setup stratocaster elite. Anyone else ever have this problem when playing for people? If so, how did you overcome it?

CakinBacon

Well my bands having our first show this Saturday and I know I'll be nervous so I plan on drinking lots of liquor before hand. 😁

MrMustache

what the heck kind of elective is that?

i want it

Spitfire

Once I thought the fretboard was curving inward toward my fingers. That put me off.

mumblyjoe

Worst was I was going to play a few songs with my cousins band but since we were on a poorly covered gazebo outside, it started to piss down rainin before we started. So we ended up dragging all the heavy assed PA and Marshall stacks across ground that was turning to mud and hurridly cover the drum kit. But hey always next time.

theshadowofseattle

JJLipton said: So in my elective class today everyone brought in pedals and guitars to show to each other. When it came time i plugged my big muff into the teachers old musicman amp and tried to play. It was pretty bad, i cant remember the last time i had played in front of a group. I was so nervous that my hands were uncontrollably shaking and i could barely manage a few licks from "manic depression". It was very embarassing, it also didnt help that i was playing a poorly setup stratocaster elite. Anyone else ever have this problem when playing for people? If so, how did you overcome it?

I had the same problem the first few times I played for an audience. What I started doing was taking off my glasses before I went on stage, and somehow, not seeing people reacting as I played made me less nervous. I guess because I could just assume everybody dug it. I'm fine with live stuff now, thanks in part to doing songs live with the SKJ. If you can do comedy rap in a sold out bar venue when people are there to see some lame acoustic pop band, you can do anything.

nietz

Well, in my very first time I was totally afraid, and couldn't stop laughing.When the song started, I was more serious, but couldn't play really more than a few chords. So I just thought that I was well-dressing, and every single chick in tghat room was falling in love with me and all the guys were jealous because of my guitar. It always helps, man. Good luck with your gig, anyway! 😎

vivadeluxxe

Spitfire said: Once I thought the fretboard was curving inward toward my fingers. That put me off.

Was that due to nerves, or really strong acid?

nietz

Spitfire said: Once I thought the fretboard was curving inward toward my fingers. That put me off.

Somebody here said ACID?

StevieK

Yeah man, I used to get nervous like that all the time, and it really pissed me off cause then everyone thought I sucked at the guitar. Now I'm totally over playing in front of people, I mean after you've done it a few more times you won't even notice or care what people think about you and you can just play like you were all alone in your room. Now when I get on stage I just always try to imagine I'm somewhere else. Close your eyes if you want to, it really helps not having to look at people like Shadow said. And the best thing is, if you close your eyes people don't ever think its because your nervous, they always assume its because you're really into what you're playing. If your knees start shaking, start walking around while you play, if you trip and fall down, hit the ground and keep playing, if you play a wrong note, play it again, people will think you meant to. Its all about making your mistakes and imperfections look like they're intentional.

BobArsecake

I think it took my 4th gig for me to stop being nervous, I remember before I went on I was bricking it, but I actually got up there and I was fine, I didn't really want to come off, well apart from being absolutely melted by the lights ☹ I don't like playing however in such a situation as you described, sat round in a group of people, I hate that look people get in audiences that seems to shout "what've you got??".

Aug

JJLipton said: If so, how did you overcome it?

by getting back on the horse, my friend.

keep playing in front of people.

BobArsecake

Yeah, there's really no other way, I know I've said this before, but just think " they wouldn't be here if they didn't want to see me play", and everyone's in the same boat as you in your class, I know it's ok saying that, but it's only the truth. But yeah, the more you do, the better it'll get.

JebuSPaul

I remember completely forgetting how to play guitar in my local guitar shop. Now if I want to try out a guitar I go early in the morning, when there's nobody about. I also find that when I'm looking at a CD rack in a shop, I forget what music I like.

ekwatts

"OMG, I bought Daphne and Celeste?!!"

Spitfire

Spitfire said: Once I thought the fretboard was curving inward toward my fingers. That put me off.

Industrial strength skunk. Drugs are bad m'kay?

ekwatts

Ocean Colour Scene are worse.

Oof!

Spitfire

ekwatts said: Ocean Colour Scene are worse.
Oof!

By far

Spitfire

Spot the difference (hint: black dude and odd headwear)

mumblyjoe

Most people know #### about playing guitar and those that do, are usually crap or trying to steal the guitar off u and show u down. Lol i dont know how many times I've played Smoke on the Water just to impress some randoms. Then when i start playing harder stuff like Hendrix they say "Ohh can you play some Green Day or Simple Plan?"

That's the point I play an old Green Day song and then tell them that Simple Plan are #### and play something good they have never heard of.

I've found though that I get motivated to play in front off people when they piss me off. Though I hate ignorant people and wouldnt play for them usually, the more ignorant they act, the more i play. It's kool, since there are heaps of ignorant people around, so when I get my first gig with my band, it will be awesome