Playing Live

Nerves

Eddie Van Halen got stage fright. So did David Bowie. Just about every performer gets nervous to some degree before or during their performance. I sometimes got so nervous when I first started performing live solo gigs that my hands would shake and I couldn’t play properly.

This fear is natural and overcoming it is one of the keys to growing as a musician.

Here are some strategies I’ve learned over the years which have really helped me in reducing the negative effects of stage fright.

Strategy 1: Know Your Stuff

Practice your repertoire until you know it at a deep level. If you can literally play the piece in your head – away from the guitar – then you are on the right path.

Strategy 2: Connect With Your Audience

It often helps to smile and engage with some friendly faces in the crowd.

Strategy 3: Go Into The Music

Really listen to the music as you play – and go right into the sound. You may feel yourself just being rather than doing (like a silent “witness”) and the chattering mind is silenced. This needs courage and practice – but no effort. If you “try” then the active mind gets involved and you get taken out of “the zone”.