Stage Fright who has it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MetalHeart
  • Start date Start date
My band of 8 years just wrapped up a few months ago, and honestly I'm not sad. Playing live was my least favorite thing. I'm the type that worries about every little thing so playing a live gig brought on a lot of anxiety. Not stage fright, just the thought of what's going to go wrong? Did we forget something, Is the Pa going to break down, whats the setlist, is everyone in the band going to show up ect. I loved playing with the band, playing guitar, working out material ect. just the gigs stressed me out. I would never make it in a touring band LoL.
 
Chris6870 said:
Not stage fright, just the thought of what's going to go wrong? Did we forget something, Is the Pa going to break down, whats the setlist, is everyone in the band going to show up ect. I loved playing with the band, playing guitar, working out material ect. just the gigs stressed me out.
Click to expand...
I think alot of people have trouble distinguishing the difference of fear of playing live with dislike of it.

I feel what you said with the "What might go wrong..." stuff. We always have professional engineers running our stuff and top tier soundboard/equipment but that really doesn't promise that things won't go wrong. A few weeks ago, we were trying out a new livestreaming system that automatically powered up at 6pm, there was no way to test that pre-hand so I can't put the blame on anyone. My guitar was muted by something to do with that and for the duration of the set, the soundguys couldn't figure it out. Of course, they were scrambling during the service so the audience/congregation probably thought I, or my wiring, was to blame.

Live music can always bring some new challenges and it's always humbling, especially if you have a good streak and you're considered among one of the best of the 30+ guitarists on rotation at your church.
 
MetalHeart said:
My son had been playing guitar with his band FURY 58 for a few years. Recently decide to quit because he doesn't like playing live.
He is good at song writing and the computer stuff and Ive tried to convince him to keep writing and recording with them.
My Wife and I are very proud of him. But he hates playing live! Does this effect anyone else here, playing in front of crowds?

They released their 1st video, and he quit during the making of it. He helped put the song together and I thought they have some potential.

The video is a little cheesy but not horrible

Click to expand...


That was pretty sick. :yes:

but yeah, if he don't wanna he don't wanna. Plenty of other ways to get your creativity out there. I don't have to worry about it because I have no desire or skills to even attempt.
 
I do have a little bit of performance anxiety getting on stage but I just channel it into the performance. You’re gonna f*** up. That’s just a fact. You’re human, well at least I’m human and I err. I think of it as edge, as I usually do my best stuff when I wing it. And really who cares? After one or two drinks nobody will notice if you screw up.
 
Last edited:
Devin said:
I've gotten nervous before big shows but nothing a couple road sodas and a brisk fap couldn't fix
Click to expand...
1728369650137.gif
 
VonBonfire said:
I did a couple gigs and the band guys said "did you see her flash you?" but my eyes are closed and focused most of the time so I never noticed the sexual harassment happening. :LOL:
Click to expand...
Never made any real money gigging. Did make enough to pay for a bunch of cool equipment and guitars but the real payoff was titties and beer. 🤣🤣
 
I think it is a process for everyone. The more shows you do, the better and more secure you get. I grew up singing in church so it wasn't exactly like being in a band, but I wasn't ever terrified. I was awkward and and boring for the first several years. Now I just have fun playing the music. I have done over a thousand gigs in my life at my age and I realize there is no perfect show and I am not perfect either. That doesn't mean I don't take pride in what I do though. The audience does not intimidate me either and once in a while I actually smile. The great thing about playing live to me is that when you are doing it, you are in the moment and not thinking about the bills, or the wife, or the problems in your life. It is like being in an altered state of mind where the only thing you are focused on is executing the music. I love those moments.
 
I haven’t read the whole thread, however just something to consider. Propanolol is often used for things like this, namely public speaking, which playing live falls under that category I would imagine. Propanolol is a very basic old school blood pressure medication that has been used for anxiety like this for quite a long time. Non habit forming, not something he needs to take everyday etc. just thought I would throw this out there, because I bet this will help tremendously.
 
We have played a few gigs for free, for charity, etc. I have a good job and ar this point in my life I'm trying to have the most fun while I can.

In my band my laugh at our mistakes and just have a good time. I write the songs and they are about having to take pain meds or having anxiety or whatever. We have one song I wrote about Monsters and we put on Monster masks. We just don't give a crap, lol.

I knew when I was 18 that I'd never have a fulfilling life just being a musician. So I got a real job and then did music as a hobby, so playing shows is no problem. If my strings break, the sound sucks, etc. we just laugh and call it an experience.
 
romanianreaper said:
We have played a few gigs for free
Click to expand...
Charity is one thing, playing for free is another. I play for free every single time I have gotten on a stage. You're paying me to move the gear.

"The gig is good exposure"

Exposure is something people die from.
 
VESmedic said:
I haven’t read the whole thread, however just something to consider. Propanolol is often used for things like this, namely public speaking, which playing live falls under that category I would imagine. Propanolol is a very basic old school blood pressure medication that has been used for anxiety like this for quite a long time. Non habit forming, not something he needs to take everyday etc. just thought I would throw this out there, because I bet this will help tremendously.
Click to expand...
From Drugs.com:

You should not use propranolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

asthma
history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint
severe heart failure (that required you to be in the hospital)
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or heart block (2nd or 3rd degree, unless you have a pacemaker).

Still, a thoughtful suggestion brother. :cheers:
 
Monkey Man said:
From Drugs.com:

You should not use propranolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

asthma
history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint
severe heart failure (that required you to be in the hospital)
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or heart block (2nd or 3rd degree, unless you have a pacemaker).

Still, a thoughtful suggestion brother. :cheers:
Click to expand...


Sure, of course…. Ever read a bottle of aspirin for side effects or ibuprofen? lol, trust me , it’s all the same.


It’s a beta blocker, like many many other BP meds . If you don’t have asthma, no worries ( beta receptors when stimulated cause bronchodialation, so blocking them could create bronchoconstriction in theory, which is esssntially what asthma is)

2nd degree heart blocks: extremely rare. A 21 year old kid for sure doesn’t have a 2nd degree heart block. High heart blocks like this are caused mostly by MI’s ( heart attacks)


3rd degree heart blocks : this isn’t a thing, this is a lethal heart rhythm you can’t even live with. This is an emergency and not something someone just “goes into”. Again, definitely not a 21 year old kid.

heart failure: again, not a 21 year old kid.


Sick sinus syndrome: extremely, extremely uncommon. And mostly again, in the elderly.


Just wanted to point these things out, you can read the side effects or contraindications and be scared out of your mind on just about anything. While there are real reasons not to use propranolol, outside of a HX of asthma, none of them apply to a 21 year old kid in the least. Propranolol is an extremely safe medication, especially at low doses for exactly the type of scenario the OP is talking about, and is extremely common.
 
I hear ya bro' and agree of course.

Just figured it ought to be posted as a "CMA speech" (cover my ass). Someone could take this "advice" and blame the forum if something went wrong. He wouldn't have a case IMHO but best to avoid that bullshit entirely. :dunno:
 
Monkey Man said:
I hear ya bro' and agree of course.

Just figured it ought to be posted as a "CMA speech" (cover my ass). Someone could take this "advice" and blame the forum if something went wrong. He wouldn't have a case IMHO but best to avoid that bullshit entirely. :dunno:
Click to expand...


Yea I feel ya. I wouldn’t even have suggested it if I felt like the side effects outweigh the benefits. This is one of those drugs in this situation that definitely goes the other way. Just thought I’d throw it out there because I figured it wouldn’t have gotten brought up here. But, as always, speak to your doc. I know how many feel about taking meds, myself included at times, but if it was me it’s something I’d definitely consider.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top