Stage fright and how I deal with it

maydonpoliris had this conversation regarding live performances and stage fright. As an expert sufferer of stage fright I would like to present you with some of my crutches I use to try to control /minimize my stage fright. Mind you this is not fool proof but it works for me;

- Try to take every opportunity you get to perform on stage, it will get less scary, eventually.

- Make sure that everything you can control is under control. For example I will make sure I have everything ready I must bring, depending on the instrument I will play, and have a mental checklist in my head that I go over when getting ready to go to the gig. This gives me some sense of control over the situation and it also makes clear that there are many things I can't control and those things are best left alone. But whatever I can control I try to control.

- Know your set list, arrive on time at the venue, know the pieces you will play on a level that you feel ready to pull them off. Not necessarily the best rendition but on a level where you know i got this. So best avoid Coltrane's Giant steps unless you're funbun and you know you can play an acceptable version. and don't push beyond your current skill-set so don't try to solo over the chord changes if you don't even master playing over over a simple blues. To hone your skills is done during rehearsals not performances. Be able to play you pieces by heart.

- Try to play in a band setting. In a real supportive band where everyone plays for the band I will feel like we're in this together and will be much more at ease.

- Most importantly know that your audience has far less expectancy than you. They basically don't care that much about what you do or how you perform, unless they paid good money to see you perform of course.

- Drugs/medication/alcohol don't help, anyway I'm not willing to pop beta-blockers or get drunk in order to be able to perform that just seems a very slippery slope.