Fellow musicians, I'm playing a live gig on Saturday. My first in over 5 years.

[StrongBad]

Help me calm my nerves. Any advice on getting back in the game?

[no name no slogan]

1. Drink heavily. And smoke several bongloads of weed.

You'll be nice and mellow by then.


I went through something very similar about a month ago. My band played a regular (not acoustic) set in front of a few friends for the first time in twelve years (yes, 12) a month ago. We still had nerves. The only thing that helped was to practice our asses off and get the set as tight as possible. Even then, we still had a couple technical problems, but we kept it together.

Just practice your ass off. And after you do that, do it some more. Make your set as tight as a gnat's ass. Then you'll be okay.

[StrongBad]

2. Thanks for the advice. We've been practicing as much as possible.

And I think I'll forego the drinking heavily advice (it doesn't help me at all) but burning some ganja always enhances my music playing abilities :)

[Iggo]

3. First rule: Know your shit.

Second rule: Have fun.

[StrongBad]

11. Smart yet simple. Thanks!

[ghostsofgiants]

4. My tip: Have as much fun as you possibly can.

If you're not having fun then what's the fucking point?

[StrongBad]

8. This is probably the best advice I can take to heart.

[KansDem]

5. What kind of "live gig" are you involve with?

Jazz? Rock? Country? Classical? Folk? Pop?

Just curious...

[StrongBad]

7. Guitarist for an indie-rock band.

The material is easy, but this is my first time playing live in quite a while. Plus this is my first show since moving to Los Angeles, so I'm a little nervous, but I'm confident I won't fuck up.

[KansDem]

9. Hey, I envy you!

Jazzer here...

I'd like to be playing gigs in L.A. right now.

Good luck, and have fun! :hi:

[StrongBad]

10. Thanks for the good luck wishes.

One of these days I'm going to learn enough theory to become a jazzer. You guys always make us rockers look like amateurs :P

[johnnie]

6. I never really have that problem

I tend to get a bit of it about the middle of the second number, but it goes away quick. Just be comfortable with what you are and what you do. Have fun with it and tell yourself "I just do what I do".

[tigereye]

20. hey there!

:hi:


I've only played lately in my teacher's basement and on a few friends' recordings, so I am way out of practice with the playing out thing...

[abq e streeter]

12. An anecdote about Satchell Paige's first appearance in the major leagues at the age of 42

not really the same; not like he hadn't pitched in 5 years , but the point remains....he was nervous as hell coming in to the game, but after throwing his first pitch, he realized "home plate was the same place it always was"....You've obviously done this before. Its done the exact same way it was 5 years ago, and you know how to do it. I bet by the second or third song, if not before ( maybe more like second or third chord), it'll feel like you never stopped .Good luck, but I have a feeling you don't need it. Congratulations on getting back in the game.

[StrongBad]

17. This was a reassuring post. Thanks.

[abq e streeter]

18. I'm assuming you know whom I'm referring to re: Satchell Paige?

even assuming ,as I am, that you're a good bit younger than me...possibly the greatest pitcher who ever lived, but as a black man, wasn't allowed in the majors ( although the Negro leagues no doubt had an incredibly high level of play, equal to, and who knows, maybe greater than the majors) until he was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1948 at the age of 42. The above anecdote is supposedly true about how nervous he was even at that age, and a lifetime of being a living legend in his world, but that after his first pitch the nerves were gone; and it was just the same as any other of the hundreds of games he'd pitched, and the story is that that's how he framed it in his mind out on the mound; " home plate was the same place..." Keep us informed of how the gig went, if you want to ... Remember you don't have to be "perfect" ( whatever that is) to still kick ass.

[StrongBad]

22. Sure, I know all about Satchell

My dad was a sportswriter so I learned a lot about baseball (the only sport I really like) from him.

I seem to remember a story (dunno if it is considered legend or not) where Satchell, to demonstrate that the most important aspect of the game was pitching, told his team to sit down while he pitched his inning, and proceeded to completely strike out the side.

Ever hear that? I may be confusing some childhood memories...

[abq e streeter]

23. I've heard that one too

[MilesColtrane]

13. Just remember:

Everybody in the audience wants you to sound good.

If that mob of degenerate drunks is optimistic about you rocking their balls off, you should be too.

[StrongBad]

16. LOL, never thought of it that way. Thanks.

[old mark]

14. Happened to me long ago - I sat in with a band after not playing

for several decades. I realized I was terrified, which I never used to be, but when I started playing it all went away and became very enjoyable...I still remember it happily.

Have a great time you will be great.


The comeback kid!!!!


mark

[KG]

15. easy on the rum

...Had my first gig here in the neighborhood
We had a little band I thought was good
Hocked my old shotgun bought a used P.A.
We got a quart of rum drank it all that day
When the big gig come we were just too drunk to play...

[tigereye]

19. I think it's like riding a bike - it'll be just like you remember

esp. if you practiced a lot! Plus some nerves go away as soon as you get up there.



Best of luck to you, just have fun!

[old mark]

21. SB Let us know how it went.....nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. Just get into the music...

Have a great time! :hi:

[mitchum]

25. Nothing has changed; you'll make a pittance

Good luck :)

[MrSlayer]

26. Just go up there and rip.

The important thing is to have fun.