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Question: How do I get rid of my nerves when playing in front of an audience!?
Today, I auditioned for my high school's "rock band"!. I auditioned on guitar!. I had to play a song that I was told before hand with the band and then I had a few minutes to do what I want!. I practiced this stuff for about 2-3 hours a day for two weeks!. I was absolutely ready!. I get up there and play with song and I do ok!. I messed up the solo a little in the song, but it wasn't very noticeable!. So then I was given a few minutes to do what I want!. I played some of "Bat Country" by A7X and then did a shred solo which I made up!. The solo started off good, then it went downhill from their!. I basically gave up and didn't even finish it!. Nerves got the best of me!. The thing is, I didn't feel nervous at all!. I couldn't fast pick, my fingers weren't moving!. I just kinda froze up!. I have to wait another year now, but in the mean time, I need tips on playing in front of an audience!. BTW: I consider myself a great guitar player, I'm just kinda stage fright!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I'm an actor and I never really have been a "stage-fright" person, but I've known so many amazing actors stuff up a performance because of nerves!. Not getting stage-fright is all about prevening nerves before they start and if they do start, learning how to control them!.
Before a performance i have to get into my own head!. Some people try meditation, but I find that putting on my i-pod is the best thing for me!. I have a play-list of "psyche-up" songs that I play!. And everyone I act with knows that when em's got her ipod in, you don't disturb her!. I let myself get all my jitters out of my system before I get on stage!. i go a little wild sometimes, but it works for me!.
It's very much a problem of mind over matter!. If you tell yourself that the audience isn't there to judge you (which is why most people get nervous), then chances are you'll feel ok!. But some nerves are important!. Being nervous means you care, so don't try to get rid of nerves completely, but you can't let them control you!.
Try some breathing exercises like in for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds; by focussing on your breathing you're taking away from your other worries!. Try stretches, again helps take your mind off everything and you'll also perform better if you're loose!.
And as horrible as it might sound, none of these things may work for you!. Sometimes all you need is experience!.
Good luck with your nerves!. Just remember to breathe!.
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i like mike o's answer!. screw the audience, just rock it out and have a good time!. why do you have to wait another year!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
You need to plant an image in your mind!.!.!.they're all buck naked out there, I'm rocking a friggin nudist colony, ferchristsake!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
idkWww@QuestionHome@Com
Oh honey!. I've been acting for years and the thought of an audition still sends chills down my spine!. I've found a couple of ways to get rid of tension and fright before an audition, and it really does help!.
Before you go on, tell yourself that everything is going to be ok!. Seriously, it works! Just talk to yourself for a little bit and normally when your mind is set into that realm, you'll go out and do exactly what you set your mind to do: doing awesome! also, shake out absolutely everything!. It's as if you're purging your body of all bad nerves and it really gets you pumped, but not so nervous!. Start from foot to leg, to hips and so on!.
Before you get on, also make sure that you've looked over your music a couple of times!. Do some finger exercises so you don't freeze up, and seriously, you'll be good to go!.
And don't picture the audience naked!. That one just freaks me out!
Hope I helped! :PWww@QuestionHome@Com
hmmm!. well, haven't you tried performing before!?
you're experiencing major stage fright!. there isnt any fast cure for that!. what you could do is practice performing in front of audience, maybe starting performing in a small group of people!.
sometimes, when im performing in front, i just focus on what i'm doing!. kept thinking on myself that im just practicing!. and well, it turns out fine everytime!.
and the last key, pray to God!. you need all the help you can get!.
goodluck!*Www@QuestionHome@Com