swiftlessons

Kickin' Bear "Whippin' Post" Cover - My First Band!

Added 2007-08-02 03:07:37 +0000 UTC

Hey friends,

Here's a quick video from one of my earliest performances, all the way back in August of 2007 in Asbury Park, NJ. Looking back, I remember how nervous I use to feel before and during each performance. Stage fright can be debilitating, even for seasoned players. While I still get pre-show jitters, I have learned that there are some techniques that can help ease the anxiety of performing live:

1. Practice your heart out - Being under-prepared is the most common but overlooked cause of stage fright.

2. Triple Check Your Gear - Murphy's law says "whatever can go wrong will go wrong," so be sure that all your cables, pedals, and instruments are in tip-top shape, and for god's sake... tune your guitar!

3. Know the venue - Take time to familiarize yourself with the space, the sound engineer, and the equipment before the show.

4. Trust your band - Besides having a well rehearsed band, your brothers and sisters in arms should also have your back should any mishaps occur. Additionally, a good bandmate ought to be a source of motivation and emotional support.

5. A familiar face - It's always helpful to have a close personal friend, family member, or significant other in the audience to cheer you on. Staring out into the crowd can be a very intimidating experience, a friendly face will definitely calm your nerves, and provide a much needed point of focus.

6. Focus on the music - After a few rough years of performing I learned that zeroing in on the emotional qualities of the music was a great way to distract myself from insecurities and worst-case scenarios. The ability to connect with your bandmates and enjoy the music you're playing will allow you to pull-off a truly moving musical performance.

7. Don't beat yourself up - Even the greatest musicians of our time made mistakes while performing. The important thing is to allow yourself to move past a rough patch in your set and stay in the moment.

8. Have a beer, maybe 3 - I know this tip isn't for everyone, but in my personal experience I have found that a little liquid courage can go a long way. That said, it's worth noting that too much can easily spoil a set, so drink responsibly.

9. Watch and learn - As a young musician I attending countless shows and studied concert DVDs featuring bands like The Who, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Seeing these masters at work taught me what a good rock and roll performance looks like and inspired me to develop my own on-stage persona. It might seem superficial, but looking the part can do wonders in building your confidence.

10. Accept the power of visualization - As a young performer I too often allowed worst-case scenarios to enter my thoughts. The mind is a powerful tool, and when left unchecked can run amok. So, practice mindfulness and meditate on all the good things that will happen at your next show; visualize applause, smiling faces, and dancing feet.