Dealing With Performance Anxiety

[Niko]

I'm hoping some of the other musicians here can help me out with this,

I get pretty anxious before I play shows, generally sometime in the hours leading up to playing. But occasionally it does get severely bad, making it really hard for me to play when I get on stage. I have a really important show one week from today, and I am getting a bit worried.

Does anyone else have troubles with performance anxiety? Any advice to help deal with this would be appreciated. I have done some reading, and Beta Blockers seem to be an effective means of dealing with this kind of thing, though I'd rather not take medication. There are also some natural remedies, but nothing I came across looked to be more than anything but a soothing tea.

Thanks.

[Mendota Heights]

I used to get performance anxiety when playing football (soccer) games, even though I was really good at football. Once the game starts you forget all about it.

When I played on an American team for a couple of months I scored one goal every ten minutes in average.  

[Niko]

I used to get performance anxiety when playing football (soccer) games, even though I was really good at football. Once the game starts you forget all about it.

Usually I do forget about once I get going, but not always. I am worried that with the importance of the event, I won't be able to relax...unless I take the "drink whiskey before the show" route  .

[the captain]

While I haven't ever had anxiety issues related to performing, I do deal with it with respect to flying. And to be honest, I finally (after years of just trying to deal with it naturally) asked my doctor about it at an annual physical exam, and was given medication that worked brilliantly without affecting me otherwise ot any degree that I could tell. In fact, upon first use I wondered whether it was working at all until I realized, some ways into the flight, that while I didn't feel drugged, drunk, lethargic, silly, or anything else, that neither did I feel anxious at all. Just ... normal.

That said, I totally understand the desire to go without medication. My best advice--the only thing that ever worked for me to any degree--is to engage in some conversation whenever possible. "Get your mind off it" is an obvious cliche and is impossible to do in an active way: you can't intentionally think about not thinking about something without by definition thinking about it. But if you actively do engage in something else that requires your mental investment, such as a conversation, you might be pleased with the results.

[guitarfool2002]

I almost hesitate to offer advice because everyone is wired differently, and when someone gets advice that they hear worked for someone else brilliantly, but doesn't work for them, it can make it seem even worse. But the timing of this topic fell exactly after I told a similar story this week to one of my students about having to perform (and sing/play) a song in front of a group of musicians in my younger years and how what could have gone bad actually turned into a personal inspiration that I never forgot.

I think anxiety before and during a performance is one of the most common and natural reactions all performers share, and if they say they don't they may be lying!  Seriously, everyone from the most successful to the unknowns banging out a tune at an open mic shares the same kinds of feelings.

My thought is that anxiety like that is as much about fearing the negative as it is enjoying the moment. I've gotten the weak stomach feeling, the nervous tingles all over, the nerves that make me talk faster and sweat and tense up, and worst of all "the claws" as a guitarist where my fingers freeze up and get all tense. It has happened, which means it may happen again, but I guess I found ways to either ignore it, roll with it, or use it to make my delivery even more powerful and intense. "Channeling" that nervous energy, in other words, from dreading a bad outcome into using those adrenaline rushes for the performance.

Consider this: If you are alone on stage, set to perform for a group of people - strangers or close friends, it doesn't matter - YOU are in control, you're driving the ship. They are there to watch you, and whatever happens in that room as you're performing is in your hands. Which also means, that audience is willingly there to listen and follow your lead. It's their choice and decision whether to enjoy it or not, but ultimately they're there for you and want to hear what you are presenting, and for that moment you control the experience.

What if it goes bad? So what. It's one moment in time, others will follow. If you focus on the potential for a bad show, you'll be consumed by that negativity. And your adrenaline and nerves will be channeled into worrying about the bad.

Channel them into something good in the moment. You're not going to do a bad show, you're going to do a good show, a great show even. The people are there to hear you and in effect have you set up their experience. Use that power, and enjoy it. Whatever you do or say will be the authoritative voice of that experience. Make it count.

The power of a performer on stage in front of an audience is massive. You can make those people smile, laugh, cry, clap in rhythm, or even make them think or get angry simply by the act of you offering them your talents on that stage. They're willing participants, they're not there to throw eggs and bottles at you, they're along for the ride and you're the captain of the ship.

Ultimately, remember that you are there to do something you LOVE...not something you have to do, or don't want to do, or something which you're doing grudgingly to pay bills. You're asked to offer your skills to others who are there to experience it, and offer them through something you love.

Who wouldn't enjoy the opportunity to share something close to their hearts with others, and do it in such a way that what you do on that stage has instant results? You start playing a song, it connects, you see heads moving to the beat, you see smiles, you see someone lean over to their table-mates and nod with recognition of the song, or something else good coming from the stage...is there anything better?

That is nothing to be stressed about. The stress is for the moment itself, and the energy rather than the stress can be taken away from the fear of a negative result and focused to an anticipation and excitement when you see people in *your* audience reacting to what you're offering them.

And what if you start up a song, and it goes to hell in about ten seconds. So what. Play it off. Shrug it off. Start the song again. Make a joke and smile about it. They won't care.

Without telling the whole story I mentioned earlier, that was the takeaway from my experience which could have been a disaster. I stopped the song, looked honestly at the people watching me and said can I try that again, with a smile, and they smiled back. They wanted to hear the song I was about to offer, which I horribly screwed up, but which I started again and had everyone on my side to the end.

Don't think the negative, use those nervous feelings to your advantage.

And I'd be lying if I said a few sips of the ol' "nerve tonic" doesn't hurt, if you're a drinker. 

[the captain]

That's a good post. I've heard a radio story last week in which a young couple was recapping their anxiety in making the decision whether to try to start a small business they thought of or keep their current jobs, and they had a similar moment of truth that you mention: "What if it goes bad? So what?" In other words, you could consider outside of the moment the worst possible result. In the story I mentioned, they said the worst outcome would be moving in with one of their parents for a year or so to rebuild their financial lives. And they decided that wasn't so bad. So at that point if they fail, they fail. Not that big a deal in the grand scheme.

As guitarfool2002 says, on stage there are no awful consequences in the grand scheme, especially if you choose to own the moment regardless of outcome. A goof is a goof. I think it was Robert Schneider of Apples in Stereo who said someone--J Mascis?--once told him something similar to the rest of what guitarfool2002 says, which is about the power of the performer, even in his vulnerability or through his mistakes. They want you to be on that stage, doing what you're doing, and they'd rather come along with you.

Maybe guitarfool2002's first sentence is most important, which is that maybe we ought to be hesitant in lending advice--or certainly at least in claiming to have any answers--but his post was a good one that I'd hope could be of use to you.

[rab2591]

No one here should feel hesitant about offering advice. Think considerably before taking that advice, and even consult a doctor if you want, but I think it's great to get a general consensus of how other people deal with this problem. Great posts all around. Here's my two cents:

If you're suffering from actual anxiety, stay as far away from alcohol as possible...it works in the short run, but it can lead to further and more patterned use (it throws off your endorphin count, which can take weeks to get back to normal - so you compensate by drinking more alcohol, a really shitty downward spiral). If all you have is performance jitters, and not a disorder, then a drink or two doesn't hurt....if you're of age

Jim Morrison, in the early days of The Doors, would keep his back to the audience. I know people who play in bands who perform with their back to the audience - and once they get into a groove they turn around and don't even think about the audience (and the audience usually thinks it's part of the performance anyways).

Try to put yourself into a positive frame of mind. Laugh and joke around before your performance. Take deep breaths. Smile - even if you feel like sh*t, sometimes the smallest act of smiling can trick your brain into thinking nothing is wrong. Also, advice that really helped me out back when I performed: think of yourself as being bigger than the audience. Stand up straight and tall. Faking confidence brings about real confidence.

Also, start eating more healthily, working out, staying hydrated...physical health leads to better mental health. If your performance anxiety gets worse, talk to a doctor.

Good luck with your performance! I'm know you'll do great!

[Mendota Heights]

You will most likely be nervous until the concert starts. Before my first real floorball game a month ago I listened to Where's the Shoorah by Elton John for a day and a half. It calmed me down.

I am anti-medication by nature. Why destroy your own natural feelings? Being nervous is a part of being alive, being human. Would not want to be without that feeling for any reason whatsoever.

Also. Your focus is on you. The spectators' focus is not on you. 85 - 95 % don't care about you at all and the rest care very little about you and if you make a mistake most people will not even notice.

[rab2591]

I am anti-medication by nature. Why destroy your own natural feelings? Being nervous is a part of being alive, being human. Would not want to be without that feeling for any reason whatsoever.

I, personally, am very anti-medication, for the same reasons you point out. But, it really depends on the circumstances.

Anxiety/panic disorders can be completely overwhelming (to the point of developing major phobias that can destroy your life). I have many friends whose lives have been changed for the better because they started taking anti-anxiety meds. Being nervous is normal (as you pointed out), but if it develops into panic and nonstop irrational fear, then meds can be a great help.

[Mendota Heights]

Yeah, you're right.

I was mostly talking about performance anxiety.

[Amanda Hart]

One thing that helps my husband (he's a comedian, not a musician) is to find something fun and light, but mentally engaging to keep occupied. If he just sits around he gets in his own head too much, which really doesn't lend itself well to long form improv. It seemed to be worse on weekend nights, so I started cooking for the whole troupe and having them all over a couple of hours before the show, then we'd all play cards or darts or something. It seems to help keep the anxiety from creeping in and builds some pre-show rapport they can take to the stage.

[Niko]

I'll do my best with all of your suggestions to remain confidant, and I appreciate the responses. But no matter how much I try and convince myself its no big deal, it won't help me if I really do have a problem.
I am hoping that pushing myself into these things and playing for people will be the best cure.
Lucikly, I do have the good fortune to have band mates who don't care if they're playing for people, so I do get a lot of support from them, just from knowing that they are all going to be steady on stage.

[alf wiedersehen]

When I had to play live in front of people, the circumstances were terrible. We (a few friends and I) found out that we were going to play as an intermission of sorts for my friend's band about a week before it actually happened. We had no songs. Also, my friend's band is a punk band. The audience was a bunch of angry teenagers.

So, we picked a few songs and practiced what we could for a week and then showed up for the show. The band stopped and kinda forced us onstage and in we dove into "White Light/White Heat" (my pick, and a bad one, it was too slow). I got up to the mic, put on my bass, and started singing. I kinda zoned out the audience, the only thing that existed was my bass and microphone - which is sort of weird when I look back on it. Anyway, I managed to zone them out for the most part - the occasional "You guys suck!" did manage to slip in, though.

We also switched instruments the entire show which didn't help us any and was probably a terrible idea for that situation. I was playing drums as I watched my friend, who was playing guitar, quit and stomp off into the audience. That left us three people. Then, as a three piece (we were not supposed to be a three piece), we played our last song, and, towards the end, my other friend, who also happened to be playing guitar, unplugged and ran away.

Fucking terrible show.

Anyway, just focus on what you're doing and don't get distracted by the audience.
I believe in you.

[zachrwolfe]

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[zachrwolfe]

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[Niko]

No matter how badly you may have felt at the time, it's such an amazing story, I hope you can enjoy it happening in retrospect. The best part is your band mates saying "f*** this" and leaving   
Good on you for staying through it all.

You sure there aren't any videos of the show? 

[alf wiedersehen]

No matter how badly you may have felt at the time, it's such an amazing story, I hope you can enjoy it happening in retrospect. The best part is your band mates saying "f*** this" and leaving   
Good on you for staying through it all.

You sure there aren't any videos of the show? 

Yeah, I'm sure 

[Bean Bag]

Channel them into something good in the moment. You're not going to do a bad show, you're going to do a good show, a great show even. The people are there to hear you and in effect have you set up their experience. Use that power, and enjoy it. Whatever you do or say will be the authoritative voice of that experience. Make it count.

Excellent thoughts!!     True in all aspects of life.

[Niko]

Alright heading to the gig now...thanks everyone for your kind words.