Performance nerves :-(

gasket

gasket

Ambassador of the Guitarded
I’ve been OK with stuff some people walk away from such as public speaking or when younger motorcycle racing with its dangers, I embraced it. Bottom line, performance nerves hasn’t been a problem!
Last week my 5 lesson one on one guitar class finished, today I was booked into next stage, a small group of 3 similar skilled students. I tried my best to wiggle out, even offered the teacher additional money to take me on as a single student. He refused, stating the group will drive me harder. So when I roll up today it turns out the group will start next week and today we will revise the last 5 weeks and work on weaknesses. I was so uptight expecting the group now even finding myself in a small time examination situation I started making mistakes playing elementary exercises, timing went out the window, I couldn’t even hear the metronome. Only when the teacher played along on his acoustic could I find some feeling and we are only talking 60 BPM. To make it worse and this SHOCKED me, I had perspiration running down my face and stinging my eyes, it wasn’t even a hot day! Talk about performance nerves! Hope it goes better next week, planning on doubling my practice time to gain confidence.
Anybody else have similar phobias or suggestions to get around it?
 
First of all, let me reassure you. YOU'RE NORMAL!

I've been there...where you are so focused on trying to do it right, that you end up doing it wrong, and you go deaf to everything around you! But, rest assured, your instructor has seen this before and isn't surprised. He may have even expected this. It may help to just tell him about your anxiety and ask him for what you can do. A lot of times, just having a positive relationship with the instructor and knowing he's supportive can calm the nerves.

But, your instructor is correct. Playing in a group is a HUGE benefit for playing. You may not feel ready for this, but maybe your instructor sees something in you that you don't see in yourself. I had a guitar instructor once who used to organize his students into bands and have us play for a recital at the end of the year. My first recital, I had to learn the lead part for "Reeling in the Years" by Steely Dan. The next year I learned "Crossfire" by SRV, and another year he had me learn "Kid Charlemagne". There were some other songs, but those stand out.

So, yeah. I know the nerves! If the rest of the students are much younger than you, it's easy to feel even more nervous because you don't want to look stupid in front of them.

From the standpoint of performance anxiety, I don't have that so much anymore, but there are those songs that will tend to give me troubles. Honestly, it's the slow songs with a really subtle beat that can be the most trouble. The fast, driving songs are actually easier.

What do I do? Well, it's different for everybody, but I've learned a long time ago that you can't cram music! I start working on things as far ahead of time as I can. If I'm working on a piece, I'll practice continuously for only about 20 minutes at a time. Then take a break. My total practice time for a day may be a few hours, but I break it into smaller, focused chunks like this. If I start to make mistakes while practicing, I stop for a few minutes, and come back to it. You don't want to keep practicing mistakes! After all, there is very little about playing guitar that is natural. For example, think about all the weird shapes you make with your hand to form a chord. Where else in life do you contort your hand into that shape! So, you need give your brain time to figure out all these weird muscle movements.

Sometimes, you can over-practice to the point where you second-guess yourself. So, it can be helpful to actually force yourself NOT to keep banging away at a tune right up to the time you go on to play. If you know it, give yourself a break.

Another thing I've found in a group setting is that there is a lot of fear of being judged by others...that is one of the chief contributors to the nervousness which, in turn, can lead to mistakes. For me, the crowd never makes me nervous. It's the opinion of the band that affects me most. So, try to develop some friendships with some of the other members, if at all possible. Or, at least be on friendly terms with them. This may take some of the stress out of the situation since the judgement factor is reduced. A band is really about chemistry.

Also, give yourself plenty of time for sleep. Your brain puts a lot of these things together while you sleep.
 
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I think it will get better each time. confidence is the key, and being prepared increases confidence. You indicate your going to concentrate on practicing, so I think your on the right track.
Experience will help, so you'll do better each time. They're all in the same boat you are, so enjoy.
Good luck.
 
Thanks Smitty & Bocc for considered comments.
As the evening gets older I'm (for now) relaxed and feeling more positive. I noticed when leaving 3 men in the waiting room, while younger than me they were mature, this makes me feel a bit better hoping I won't be with spotty faced punk kids ;-)
I full well know my reaction is/was stupid, who cares how I play or progress.
I think the problem is unintentionally my own making in that I'm old, have unnecessarily high end instruments and therefore feel like I'm faking it and about to crash.
 
gasket I started learning when I was 60 I take lessons every week and I practice 2 hrs each day . Don't sell yourself short you are not to old I am proof of that and some other guys older than myself. I have taken classes in a group setting when I was a teenager everybody learns at a different pace , that's why I am not a fan of this way of teaching. If others are at a higher level than you are or vice a versa it can cause frustration for all involved. If its at all possible to Find a good Instructor where you live for one on one instruction I encourage you to do it. He or she will guide you at your own speed and will get to know your strengths and your weaknesses and will be able to concentrate on you. I am a strong believer in practicing remember what they say practice makes perfect. When you are practicing your lesson you're not in a race, do things slowly to get it right than start increasing speed a bit more. I am not convinced throwing you into the group will drive you harder. In my first year My Instructor said it would have taken 2 to 3 years for most people to learn what I did in that time, why I believe I accomplished this so quickly Practice, practice ,practice a strong desire to play and a great Instructor who knows how teach me how to be the best I can be. I get nervous before I do gigs that's natural and hey if you make a mistake don't beat yourself up, even the Pros make them they just know how to cover them up easier. Hope this helps keep smiling and Rock on.
 
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I usually feel the nerves until the first tune of the set is over. For me the key is warming up. If I have the opportunity to play a while before performing, I'm usually fine. If not, I have to concentrate on disregarding the audience during the first number. After that it's usually ok.

I guess I don't have any real advice, but I'm pretty sure you'll gain confidence after learning to know the other guys a bit better.
 
Here's what I do: I start every gig with a Ramones song. Usually Blitzkrieg bop. It's a straight forward and powerful song which requires only vigorous strumming and a good vibe to be played well.

It's my own way of warming up and getting into the groove.

Then the rest of the evening is a piece of cake
 
Anxiety is totally normal. What typically drove it for me in the early days was the fact that we, as young guys just starting to learn our chops, were always playing covers. There is a natural tendency when doing so to sweat it if it isn't exactly as the original artist recorded it and worry that the audience will hate you for it if you get anything wrong, and often we were playing songs that didn't exactly inspire me. What changed my view was changing that last little bit - I resolved at some point to only play what inspires me, acceptance be damned. So, since then (the mid-late '80's) I have only played original music or a very select few interpretations of songs that I do not attempt to play anything like the originals. I immediately lost my performance anxiety and enjoy sharing my sound with others. Way I look at it, there will always be guys who can play circles around me, but there will only ever be one guy (me) that plays what I play the way I play it, and if the listener doesn't like it that's cool, but I hope they do.
 
Bocc69 said:
I think it will get better each time. confidence is the key, and being prepared increases confidence. You indicate your going to concentrate on practicing, so I think your on the right track.
Experience will help, so you'll do better each time. They're all in the same boat you are, so enjoy.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

Agreed...I only feel "normal" when playing in a live setting....I so look forward to the next time, like chasing the tail of the opium dragon...
 
Keep after it gasket!!
Good for you getting some exposure.
I started late in life as well.

Playing around others besides family will cause me the butterflies I am sure.

When I first started playing plugged in regularly instead of unplugged 99% of the time, I felt intimidated at first just because others could hear it.
Now it just doesnt occur to me.
I am always quick to apologize for the noise afterwards though.

I'm glad I was able to correct the string ring outs you dont hear unplugged before it became ingrained in my technique.
I should take a round of lessons too.

I CANT WAIT to get home in about 6 hours and fire up the 18w and plug that Jackson into it!!!
!!!!!
!!
 
Sérgio said:
Here's what I do: I start every gig with a Ramones song. Usually Blitzkrieg bop. It's a straight forward and powerful song which requires only vigorous strumming and a good vibe to be played well.

It's my own way of warming up and getting into the groove.

Then the rest of the evening is a piece of cake
Click to expand...

I like that approach.
I have no idea if I'll ever play for an audience but your warm up approach appeals and may be a thing to try it before leaving for the next class.
Now where did I put my sheet music for Blitzkrieg bop. :-)
 
Sérgio said:
I was a late starter myself. First picked up the electric guitar at the age of 31, though I was already technically a musician, having played classical guitar at the University.
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Sergio, for you to have classical guitar at the University and to first picked up the electric at 31 isn't late starting in my books. I'm the bloke with no natural timing and first picked up an instrument (guitar) at 63. Shortly after that I almost severed my left thumb so I've had a couple of brick walls to crash through. I'm progressing at glacial speed but it's still progress and I'm enjoying it.
 
So following up on last weeks lesson with the built up anxiety.
I decide I wouldn't go today, hold off for a month until I was faster and cleaner with the lessons so far behind me.
My wife flipped out and like a school mum dragged me kicking and screaming (well almost that bad) to the class.
Long story short ... my new band and I are building our set list up. I'll have to beat them into a tighter group but I can see potential.
 
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