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Jon Boyes -> RE: Please help,(MY FIRST GIG!!!!!!!!!!!!) (Aug. 17 2004 8:50:24)
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Miguel - take heed of the other Miguel's advice, its very important. Always gig with material well below your current level of playing. Material that you have just about got under your belt is no good.
One of the best ways to combat nerves is by getting used to playing front of people. Before I started giggging, I had BIG problems with nerves - couldn't even play in front of my family without going to pieces.
So you have to practice playing in front of people, so that is it is no more stressful than drinking a cup of tea. There are lots of pyschological tricks you can do to help with this (See 'The Inner Game of Music' for a whole book on the subject). But here are some suggestions:
Pick up your guitar and play to someone at EVERY opportunity. Keep a guitar in your living room and when someone comes to visit, ask if they'd mind of you play them a quick tune.
Play to your family and friends at every opportunity.
Go out and busk, anything to get that experience.
When you practice at home and you are about to run through some falsetas, close your eyes first and visualise a room full of people waiting for you to start playing.
Imagine the neighbours are listening closely every time when you practice.
Record your practice sessions.
Get the picture? anything that simulates the performance experience is helpful, because practicing performing is just as important as practicing the material.
When you do the gig, don't see it as the 'end of the line' where everything stands or falls. See it as a practice session for your NEXT gig, when you will play even better.
Expect to make mistakes, you will, but laugh them off and realise that for every ten mistakes you make, the audience will probably notice one. No-one knows your stuff like you do.
HTH.
Jon
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