“I don’t say that I
never feel fear before a performance, but I have learned to channel it.”
– Claudio Arrau,
Chilean pianist
Playing the guitar up on the stage, in front of hundreds of
your fans, can be one of the best experiences in the world!
Conversely, it can be one of the worst! When stage fright
and the fear of playing live rears its ugly head, it can leave you in a sweaty
mess on the stage, with your confidence shot, all of which often results in an
error-prone and a downright shoddy performance.
It is very natural to be nervous when performing in front of
a live audience, especially if it’s one of your first performances. However if
the problem persists, or worse, if it starts affecting your guitar-playing
adversely, it might be time to tackle the problem head-on. Take the bull by the
horns, as they say!
Here are a few ways that you can employ to handle stage
fright and conquer your fear of playing the guitar in front of a live audience,
as part of a group or as a solo artist:
1. Admit that there’s a problem. The first step to solving a
problem is actually admitting that one exists. Knowing the cause is the next
step. Try determining what the actual (root) cause of your stage anxiety is, what
goes on in your head and your heart when you’re up on the stage. Confess that a
problem exists, instead of hiding from it. ‘Face your fears’ as they say.
2. Don’t start off by playing in front of a large audience.
In fact, do exactly the opposite. Start off by playing for close friends and
family, and use this method to slowly build your confidence and move on to
performing in front of bigger crowds.
3. Stop being too self-conscious. Yes, it’s as simple as
that. Stop worrying about your image, or how you look, or how you sound, or how
well (or not) you’re playing the guitar. As someone who’s suffered from stage
anxiety, I know it’s all easier said than done. However the one thing that I
took away from my experiences is this: once you stop giving too much
consideration to your image or how you look, for instance, and start thinking
about the things that really matter, such as concentrating on your
guitar-playing, you’ll not only become less nervous, you’ll also notice that
your guitar-playing skills improve. Remember that 99.9% of the people in the
audience are there to hear you, they’re not there to see you, or judge how you
look.
4. Stage fright and stage anxiety is usually a big issue for
people with reserved, shy or introverted personality traits, such as people who
don’t like being the center of attention. When they are a part of a band, and
are forced to take the stage, anxiety becomes a bigger issue than ever. It is
important for them to find their comfort zone on-stage, such as playing on the edge
of the stage, or at the back (away from the spotlight). The best solution
however, is for them to keep at it, as they will start getting more and more
comfortable on-stage with the passage of time and with each performance.
5. Known understand and accept that it is quite normal to
experience a certain level of nervousness and anxiety on the stage. It happens
with everyone; even the best musicians, politicians and public speakers out
there experience this. However what they’re good at, is masking this
nervousness with confidence, flair and charisma. As a musician, you should try
to ‘work with your anxiety’ and use the opportunity of being in the spotlight
to really bring out your creative side, instead of hiding under it.
6. When fighting stage fright, preparation is key! If you do
into the battlefield fully prepared, you won’t be giving yourself a reason to
be nervous and anxious on the stage. Battle-preparedness is essential, in fact
it is vital for a smooth, error-free performance. Get the right amount of
practice beforehand, well before the actual performance in fact. Practice
individually, as well as with your band mates (if you’re in one).
7. For guitar players, I always suggest sticking with stuff
they’re good at, and what they feel comfortable with. Don’t try anything
extraordinary, or attempt to do something that you haven’t practiced before the
performance, for instance. Try keeping things simple, and stick to your
strengths, and what you know once up on the stage.
8. Accept the fact that mistakes will be a part of your
performance, and even the best of the best make mistakes or screw-up. In my
experience, it is near-impossible to deliver a flawless performance. The
important thing is to accept that fact, and not dwell on a mistake if and when
you do make one. The people in the audience aren’t professional musicians, and
no one would probably even notice it. But above all, it is important to learn
how to quickly recover from your mistake.
9. Finally, one of the most essential things to do when
performing live is to actually have fun when you’re up there. Yes, you made it
to the big stage, you earned your way there, and now you’re in the spotlight.
Almost all of the people out there would kill for such a chance! Now that you’re
in the spotlight, try having some fun! Enjoy your time up there – trust me, once
you get over the anxiety and the nervousness, there’s no other feeling in the
world that matches up to taking center-stage and doing your thing!
If you’re planning on taking the stage for the first time,
or if you’ve done it before but still experience stage fright or anxiety, these
tips and pointers should help. What do you do to calm yourself down before a
performance and deliver a confident and energetic routine on the stage? Do share
your thoughts in the comments section.
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