echobrainproject, a lot? Not as much as you lolx.

val, he used to play the violin I think hah.

HyeoshinX, there're many ways to overcome stage-fright, but you have to take the first step first. Don't be afraid to experiment, when you're not playing the instrument, try to get the audience to clap with you. Like any good presentation, be natural and treat it like you're jamming to your mirror.
Also, don't force yourself to play stuff that you have no confidence in. If you've just nailed Far Beyond The Sun last week, chances are you're still gonna screw up for tonight's performance. Stick to stuff that are second nature to you.
I agree with gazeWithin in looking at the crowd without focusing on them. It helps you to engage with the audience but if you're not confident on pulling it off, focus on your playing.

In my opinion , the issue is not about you..its the band...
if you are nervous , chances are your singer , bassist etc isn't doing a good showmanship..


get your bandmates to help you-lah....

i.e..when you're playing your solo..get your singer to do some stup1d sh1t in front of you..

its funny , you laugh....everybody laughs ...and you think about rocking , not thinking about .."holy sh1t..wat will people think of me"..



usually when my band performs ...we all help each other by .....once in a while(like before entering chorus) ..we look at each others eyes..
smiling or laughing ...to let each other(our band) know that we are here to have fun..hope this help

like what they said in F.R.I.E.N.D.S, just imagine the crowd is naked infront of you.

Heres my story,
I actually only started to really perform this year. We formed a band and played in during school functions. Of course, we were just getting started (I was just getting started cause i just got my elec this year) and well, i didn't know how to play many rock songs before that. So we started to play really simple songs with simple chords but songs that still sounds good.
Our first performance of the year was during prize giving day. We played covers of Switchfoot - Meant to Live and a last minute decided Lifehouse - You and Me.
We had enough practice for meant to live, but we only decided on You and Me the day before the performance but we still managed to pull it off, somehow...
Oh and i did like what led zep freak said, tried to get the audience to clap with me in which later i got comments from my friends "Why the hell did you do that for?! you looked like an idiot XD *LMAO*" -____- But i didn't care, i scared my knees off before the performance, but it was real fun and satisfying just expressing on stage.

Later, we performed in the school's Parent's Night. We started off with Eye of the Tiger as intro and then Nidji - Hapus Aku, and ended with The Kinks - You Really Got Me. For this though, we had abundant preparation time and we went on stage for rehearsals more times than i could count with my fingers. In the end, it really paid off, I was free from stage fright, full of confidence backstage and ready to ROCK!! Then we went onstage, and blasted the audience full force!! WHOOOO~
I will never forget how we were REALLY enjoying ourselves as a Band!!
It was the first time, in my life, i was able to be free from stage fright and really do my best. And i want to relive that moment again!

My advice, practice practice practice practice practice practice all it takes. The most important thing is remember to play as a BAND. And it helps to keep telling yourself "I love the attention the crowd is giving me" keep repeating that to yourself. It is crucial to know that the crowd is there to HEAR your music, to FEEL your music. and to ENJOY your music. Then when you're onstage, you'll be able to express to the fullest! Music is all about expressing!!

Good luck!

This post has been edited by Ryuuga: Dec 11 2007, 12:24 AM

Let your friends say all they want lolx.
Plus, nothing can be more idiot-looking then doing We Will Rock You clap... we did it and everyone in the hall was having fun with us. Best feeling in the world.

my teacher told me if perform in a class u should be afraid cus u still can see thier faces. but in crowd like 1000++ ppl , u cant even see thier faces .. then u shouldn't be afraid. i afraid to speak infront of crowd but i love to play guitar or sings infront of the crowd

yeap i used to play the violin.

anyways, a few words for people new to performing.
go out and do your best, dont get too lost and lose yourself (its easy to do crazy things when u're high on stage), keep your ears open to your band and know that NO SHOW IS PERFECT, theres bound to be things to complain about after the show, so dont be too hard on yourself. there are mistakes (although less) in my fav shows ive played, theyre the fav coz i enjoyed them and so did the crowd.

as for critism, u'll get them and be grateful u get them. if u're too affected by it, maybe u shouldnt be performing (or dream of doing this for a long time). looking idiotic? hey thats a norm for me, everytime i see vids of myself performing, i sure see an idiotic looking guy. haha.

the more idiotic, the better.

it definitely helps when you're playing with a fun, lively band. The first time I play guitar on stage is really a hard experience cause I suck so much hahah but eventually you'll get over it. There was even one time I was performing I see someone is down there sleeping.

what if you cant play without looking at your fretboard?

and my face turns red REAL easily. look down? red. hold my breath? red. head bang? red. close my eyes? red nervous? red.
so that kinda shakes me a bit hehe

wear a mask then

^
i plan to wear a guy fawkes mask

The whole point is to rock out, so don't worry. Just focus on your playing and try not to make like you're nervous or something. Just be cool and don't make mistakes, if you do then you'll be more nervous when people are boo-ing at you.

LOL ! ! ! !

This post has been edited by skindred: Dec 11 2007, 11:21 AM

That is way cool, bub! I wish I could play the violin..
You don't play violin anymore? Never heard you say anything about it.

V for Vendes Vendetta Alexi Laiho Offset V FTW!!!

Just smile a lot... friend in uni told me and teko once, "Kalau takut, senyum je... senyum takut!"

just headbang and act stupid onstage, but not too much so you can actually play
The idea is to look somewhat stupid, because it keeps people entertained.

Couldn't agree more, It shows that you're reallly enjoying it even though you've made many mistakes xDD and people won't blame you for that

my 1st experience performing in public was actually the last week when i join the fingerstyle competition recently with abt 100+ ppl in the auditorium...so i'm abit nervous...well it feels more comfortable than playing in front of family members and friend thou...this is wat i did on stage...i slowly walk to the stage n sat down...the get ready to play...without really looking at the crowd...the slowly when i feel more ease playing infront there...i'll start looking at the crowd bit by bit....slowly ...i felt more n more confident with my playing in front of the crowd...n the comment from the judges..."very esspressive"...etc...n won the competition n bring home the grand prize guitar that worth USD6000...keke

well i believe everyone will have stage fright when they start performing...don't worry too much...juz try ur very best and go all out...

This post has been edited by ReeveX.com: Dec 12 2007, 01:57 AM

you are quite a show-off eh ?

This post has been edited by gapnap: Dec 12 2007, 02:35 AM