Like the title says...how to overcome stage fright while performing in front of many people??? Im having stage fright and scared that i make a fool out of myself on stage...

people say if you're afraid of looking at people, look at their foreheads instead avoid the eyes if you're afraid.

if you're playing guitar on stage, just look at your fretboard and ignore the crowd sure you might not look confident, but at least you know what you're playing and thats what counts

good luck with your performance

Yup. Confidence is key. Just don't care about the audience and start playing.
Do warm ups before you get on stage instead of just sitting around waiting for your turn to go on........ so your mind is already focused on whatever you warmed up with.

i see..thanks guys!!

actually if they turn down the lights and all there is is the stage light...you cant really see the crowd's faces.

Use the ancient power stance man! Rock kangkang isn't just for looks, it helps lock your knees if you go all wobbly there!

stage fright only happens when you're not confident?
Confidence is key. You can hear when a guy isnt confident in himself, because his playing will sound shaky

i guess everyone has to start somewhere.. not everyone is born to perform eh

I get stage frights most of the time too, it's normal. And the biggest one was a recent acoustic gig where I had to perform in front of... around 1000 people? Preparing the songlist a night before didn't help either but I managed to pull it off. Like the rest has said, confidence is the key.

My advice is:
Keep playing. Don't think too much about what people think:- go up, rock out and have a good time. That's what live music should be about.

well if you're not nervous means you don't care
so being nervous is a good thing and drives you to play better

if u wear specs, take them off. thats what i did when i first started playing in an orchestra.

well if ure not confident, pretend to be confident.

couldnt aggree more with led zep's advice. u should listen to him, he performs alot.

Try wearing some Oakleys...
It helps

Seriously...

juz think the ppl are all invisible....
tats nothing to be afraid off...
or juz look at ur frens at the audience....

basicly you have to believe in yourself.
If you have practiced and rehearsed to near perfection (lol) then there's nothing to worry about. And as the others say , confidence will follow.

what i do to look even more confidant is to look out at the crowd while performing. The trick is to look at the crowd as a whole.

Never never pick spots or look at one person in the crowd. It'll just remind you that someone is watching your every note. Haha, its like they're staring into your soul. =S

Hope this helps =D

Apparently ppl say Eric Johnson is still facing Stage Fright everytime he performs, and yet his playing is flawless!
Regarding stage lights, not only you won't be able to see the audience, chances are there will be times when you can't see your f***ing fretboard!

Overcoming stage fright is easier said than done. I guess the best way is to keep performing and performing.
I ain't getting enough practice of that!

Echobrain : You played in an orchestra before? Way cool! What instrument did you play?

This post has been edited by valkyrie1232: Dec 10 2007, 08:41 PM

drummers dont get stage fright, cos they can hide behind all their cymbals.
but in the event you do get a drummer who has stage fright, make sure he doesnt somehow play the song twice as fast

I second that !

sure anot? no wonder la i noticed alexi always Rock kang kang, i thought it was something called gaya. actually to overcome stage fright. geezz...

Wear a mask. Or paint your face.
A bucket on your head helps too, especially if it's from KFC.

buckethead kahh...lol..one of my idols man..

anyways thanks for you the input. .the worst that can happen is that i pengsan on stage lol ..ill follow all your advise..confidence + rock my heart out!!

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

so ure sacrificing musicianship for showmanship.

well, most non-musician wont notice some small small mistake, so sacrifising a bit musicianship for showmanship doesn't matter, no?

he's just proud of it, not showing off.

hahah I think it's okay la. Actually I would like to see players posts any of their "past glories" and videos etc. I wouldn't think that as show offs la, just proud. Being arrogant though is a big no-no.

Anyway to me what I really wanted to see when people performing is their showmanship. It is no less important than the music. My 2 cents.

gapster is probably thinking...
wtf? jeffrey? USD6k guitar? pffttt...
i can buy 3 ibanez prestige with that money

USD 6k ? more like 3 Ibanez JEMs first hand..

...6 ibanez JEMs , second Hand


anyway..Everdying...whats the story behind Jeffrey ...
its like , one day i check jamtank and everybody hates him..which part did he screw up ?

cos i guess they've tried his guitars, and most of them say they sux.
yet jeffrey thinks hes the god of guitar-makers here?
and when his guitars failed to really sell, he made use of religion to try to sell more like so many others out there?

i guess jeffrey = ed roman of malaysia?

dun really care la...i definitely will not buy any of his guitars anyway.

well..the story i heard was...

jeffrey is really a good guitar luthier ..(6k usd man..) ..
but Malaysians just pissed him off ...you know .."bro ble nego x" "bro ini mahal la RM400 ble"

and the oversea dudes just keep pumping him money...
so he fvck his Malaysian Customers up and he just concentrate on his oversea customers

and it make sence lah...cause i know many business owners getting piss selling to malaysians..
thats why we will never have money guarantee 7 day policy

i think the best way for me to judge is..if i fly overseas one of this days..i go hunt for his guitars and try ..
see it really suck or what ..

last time in 2000 i remember he quoted me RM4000 as a base price for guitars..
if his sale isn't doing well , how come now he charging 4000 USD for base price..

i will not be surprise if suddenly NiK of ceriatone does the same

This post has been edited by gapnap: Dec 12 2007, 10:48 AM

if not mistaken, GIM has been in business since 93?
the base price back then was definitely below RM2k.

and for a 15yr business, how much has he really expanded?
how many ppl do you know that has one of his custom guitars?
i guess one reason why the guitars sux was cos his understudies / students made them for his customers sometimes?

and u of all ppl should know...just cos something sells expensive doesnt mean its selling well.
it could just be normal marketing tactics to set a price point so ppl assume it has quality


speaking of ceriatone...im sure u know the arguments ppl made about his dumble clone...
and how "boutique" guys in US were getting pissed cos nik was selling his at way less than half price of what theirs were...
then they said his was inferior quality etc etc...
if nik had actually set a price similar to theirs it would definitely be a different story.

This post has been edited by Everdying: Dec 12 2007, 11:06 AM

lol...if u to like say i'm showing-off then ok lo...i'm juz being happy of wat i achieved...

wat? nik has a dumble clone for sale? ZOMG WOW
lol


this is going ot

HAD.
due to all those makers complaining, he stopped production of it.
on ceriatone's site.

Ceriatone Overtone Special Announcement
Due to the flak we're receiving regarding manufacture of this amp, we're not continuing with the Overtone until further notice.

I apologize for this, but I am not sure I'd like to proceed with the negativity surrounding it. It is hoped all concerned parties will be happy with this decision.

Those interested in getting parts from us to make the amp, please contact me directly.


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=309452
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archive/i...p/t-301775.html

This post has been edited by Everdying: Dec 12 2007, 12:21 PM

ahahah i had once bad stage fright but luckily play in a band...i think not many ppl seen i drop my bow when playing aahaah

talking bout maximum SS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-PBXD425Zs
my uni keke

people might say tis is weird or SS max
but i tink its fun

Lol sorry if you see it that way. It wasn't what i really meant ^^
Both are equally important when performing, however if you lack one of it at some point, it can be covered up by the other. Thats what i meant ^^

well..if you are in the sell-out rockstar industry..

i have seen plenty of bands with very good showmanship ..but terrible musicianship..

i never seen a sell-out band with good musicianship and bad showmanship..

because then they won't sell would they...

Just look at the wall, or far end.

Most people use this during Presentation.

Only the vocalist what, guitarist can look left and right, head swinging... lulz!

echo, you have to remember that the average person who attends gigs are there to be entertained, not to listen and study the complexity of the bands playing.
But still, you have to find a blend of musicianship and showmanship. Watching a band playing blazing riffs while standing there like corpses isn't exactly something entertaining.

Hahaha...i must tell you guys about the performance...since the original vocalist couldnt make it(we are performing at our school prom) we had to change the songs to accommodate our other two vocalist. the original songs we were supposed to play was itu kamu by estranged and gone so young by amber pacific. to accommodate our two new vocalist(one for each song) we had to change our song.
the first song we performed was if everyone cared by nickelback.the song was great except the ending. the ending was off because we only had only two jamming sessions. i give it a 6/10.
the second song was what i've done by linkin park. we only had one jamming session on this song as it is really last minute. in the jamming studio(arkakarya <--i guess thats the spelling) we jammed this song quite okay-ly...the vocalist had his lyrics but during the performance, the vocalist forgotten the lyrics after the short solo(by me). he was like showing his hands to the crowd and saying "wait..wait"..then the most unexpected happened...(maybe expected la) he said "f*ck this la..smiled and walked of the stage...me and the band members were like laughing on stage...oh well for the second vocalist

overall i wasnt to scared at all on stage..i was at the beginning but it soon started to wear off...thanks to all your advices

Who said? Entertaining watching some band playing insane stuff even if they're standing there like corpses!

Reminds me of some band...

Bottomline, people wants to go to a show to be entertained (That's alot of "to"s innit?). If you stand still like a statue but shredding a killer solo, I don't people would be very entertained..... same thing goes as jumping around on stage like the energizer bunny on redbull and steroids but can't play a lick to save his life.

It's a balance of both......... but always remember, give the crowd what they want.

u mean DT ?

Different leagues la.. I doubt if any shredder wanna run around crazy while shredding at the same time... you see his fingers running around enough already.

Sometimes standing like a corpse does work wonders, it all depends on the stuff you're playing I think.

reminds me of a certain 6 piece band

Yes, I meant David Tao

Aaaa!!! imagine jumping and shredding...

AIR SHREDDING
i got to learn tat!!

Drink till your half tipsy then go on stage

some shredders can pull of sh1t like that..

i bet paul gilbert , malmsteen can

malmsteen definitely can.
hes mad.
sweeping everywhere while running around...talk about doing something hard and making it like 5 times harder.

That sounds like another band...

Yeah... like swing his guitar around 360, then catch it and shred immediately...

It's great to see a musician focusing on both aspects (Such as SRV)but for me, showmanship isn't necessary as long as the musician looks confident onstage. Petrucci is a good example.

Don't forget his added weight and super tight spandex, it 20 times harder.

k la...lets draw comparisons between pink floyd and dream theater live.
both also i guess not much showmanship...compared to malmsteen...
but pink floyd got nice laser shows to captivate the crowd...
meanwhile, with dream theater, you can put on a DT album, sit down in front of your car headlights...and get the same effect

I sang in front of like 600 people and that was my first time ... what i did was not wear my specs so i couldnt see any faces , plus the place was dark.

And nobody will boo you unless you do something offensive , once they cheer for you , i dont think you'll be afraid anymore

Infact my guitarist got high