Tips for a new performer?

[rwandering]

For 2023 I have decided to try live performance. I've rarely ever done it before (like I can count 3 times in my life before this year). I did my first Open Mic in January (solo singing/acoustic, performing my own song). It went pretty well. I made a couple of minor mistakes, and I was generally happy with it. I just did it again. This time with my Casino running through an HX Stomp into the PA. Again, performing my own song -- a different one -- but this time it just didn't feel right. The guitar sounded distorted when it should have been clean, and while I felt relaxed the entire time, my fretting fingers felt really stiff. Of course, I played it great before and after, so the only explanation is nerves. And in front of a supportive crowd, too!

Anyway, nothing to see here, and I'm sure I just need more exposure, but if anybody has any thoughts that would be cool.

BTW: while it wasn't the guitar, it was the player, next time I'll probably use my Paul's Guitar.

 

[RickP]

It’s good to train your mind to focus on the fact that the audience wants you to do well. It’s easy to be nervous feeling you have to win their approval, but the fact is they want to be entertained and will enjoy any competent performance.

You’re right when you say more playing live will make you more comfortable over time, so keep at it! Practice, prepare, warm up your fingers and voice, then go give it your best.

 

[rwandering]

It’s good to train your mind to focus on the fact that the audience wants you to do well. It’s easy to be nervous feeling you have to win their approval, but the fact is they want to be entertained and will enjoy any competent performance.

That is a good thing to remember. I certainly felt that positive vibe from the audience; my problem perhaps being the pressure I put on myself to be more than just OK.

You’re right when you say more playing live will make you more comfortable over time, so keep at it! Practice, prepare, warm up your fingers and voice, then go give it your best.

Yes, and I plan to keep doing it. I don't think of this as anything but a learning experience. A friend with me did tell me I should have warmed up my voice before hand . . . I certainly found my voice but it took a couple of lines first.

Thank you!

 

[DISTORT6]

There’s not a single person on this planet who knows your music better than you. Zero.
Remind yourself of this every time you play.

 

[Greywolf]

As a seasoned martial arts instructor , I always tell my students the same thing when preparing for a performance , this is also true in Suzuki method music training : Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you never get it wrong

It served well , all my students medalled in the Worlds in Okinawa .....

 

[ElrytNamrogo]

Performing live is a lot of fun, but can definitely be one of those things where you get stuck in your head a bit. I think one of the biggest things I've learned over the years is to simply train yourself to be adaptable. There are an infinite number of factors that can potentially be a difference between a "good gig" and a "bad gig". Some of those things will be within your control, some won't.

One of those factors to me, is something you mentioned....tone. It seems, no matter what, my gear will have some level of difference from gig to gig (it can even change during the gig as crowd sizes grow or shrink). Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's dramatic. Sometimes my cleans sound too pushed and become a bit overdriven when I want them pristine. Sometimes the amp just doesn't seem to want to respond the way I'm wanting it to. It happens quite a bit, really...but the biggest thing for me here is to try and adapt to it and work with the tools I'm given at a given moment. Same goes for technical mistakes....if I make technical mistakes or screw up a part, I try and adapt and correct it without focusing on it too much. Move past it and, if possible, work it into the rest of the song. Most times, the crowd won't even hear it, but if my body language reflects it, or I focus too much on that mistake, the rest of my performance can suffer. Just simply being in the mindset of being willing to adapt has helped me tremendously with my composure and overall performance.

Which leads me to my next suggestion....performance. I've found the crowd generally isn't as focused on your tone, chops, technical ability, or even if you're essentially playing the song right or wrong. The biggest thing, when it comes to the crowd, is that you're having fun. Generally, crowds enjoy a more relaxed, having-fun performance more than a technically-perfect performance. Of course, this doesn't mean to turn it into something other than a live music performance (i.e. comedy show), but if you can smile, engage with the crowd, laugh at mistakes, and show genuine enjoyment in making your music, it goes a long way with the crowd. And as we all know, energy in a live performance is cyclical....you give off good energy, the crowd receives it and gives it back.

Oh, and yeah, PRS guitars make live performances MUCH more fun!


Hope this helps!

 

[rwandering]

Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you never get it wrong

I don't think I have heard that one before -- that makes a lot of sense!

It seems, no matter what, my gear will have some level of difference from gig to gig (it can even change during the gig as crowd sizes grow or shrink)

Interesting. I would hope that in a legit gig one would have a decent chance to get the sound right, but maybe that is a fantasy (not to mention the crowd size changing it!). Of course, your real point is just to run with it and that makes sense. It definitely got me thinking about the wrong things while playing.

but if you can smile, engage with the crowd, laugh at mistakes, and show genuine enjoyment in making your music, it goes a long way with the crowd

Yeah . . . I certainly started out that way! Good advice.

 

[PRSWILL]

I play in a popular classic rock band in Minneapolis. We gig 2-3 dates a month- all over the state in casinos, clubs and private events. Interaction between the members of the band and the crowd is super important-obviously playing the songs well, in a way that is fun for the crowd is too, but more times that not, i've heard "man you guys seem to be having a blast!" and that's what keeps us getting the repeat gigs.
From a playing stand point, in a band anyway- LESS IS MORE. don't get too caught up on making sure every note in the chord is played- get the body of the chords right, and play in the pocket with your bandmates. Too many times i've seen players trying to do more than they should and it muddies the song up and can throw timing off. Remember, every cover tune ( if that's what you're doing) was played in the studio and most hits have Multiple tracks per instrument being played. I recorded a 38 Special song with some guys last year- there are 8 guitar tracks in the song. There's no way to replicate the studio version of some songs live- so get the vibe- the hooks and the jist of the solos down solid and stay in the groove. Also, try not to spend the whole night looking at your fingers! Eye contact with the crowd is a big deal.

 

[dmatthews]

Lock eyes with and smile at the audience.
They'll have fun if you have fun.

 

[veinbuster]

There’s not a single person on this planet who knows your music better than you. Zero.
Remind yourself of this every time you play.

This means any mistake you think you make doesn’t matter. Just play through it and no one will ever know.

I have a bit of a variation on the notion of never playing it wrong. I try to be comfortable enough with the songs that any mistakes I make still fit. I’ve told people early in the life of a song a particular like that “next time I’ll know it well enough to make better mistakes”. To be fair, I’m more of a flow/emotion player than a precision player.

 

[alantig]

Play naked. No one will notice your flaws. Well, your musical flaws.

 

[rwandering]

This means any mistake you think you make doesn’t matter. Just play through it and no one will ever know.

Yeah . . . I've successfully done that a couple of times -- I just have to keep the smirk off of my face.

Play naked. No one will notice your flaws. Well, your musical flaws.

If I could swing that, I definitely would indicate a certain level of confidence! Or maybe a "who cares" kind of attitude.

 

[JasonE]

Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you never get it wrong

The first part of that is the ametuer. The second is the professional. That is how I heard this statement the first time I heard it. The amatuer practices until he can play it right. The professional practices until he can't play it wrong.

 

[JasonE]

It just takes more times of doing it. You will find your focus point. For me it was to focus on the songs and not think about how many people were watching me. I used to get shaky hands in the beginning. At some point it just stopped and I stayed relaxed. It was like someone flipped a switch. I have not had an issue with nerves since. It even helped my public speaking.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

That is a good thing to remember. I certainly felt that positive vibe from the audience; my problem perhaps being the pressure I put on myself to be more than just OK.



Yes, and I plan to keep doing it. I don't think of this as anything but a learning experience. A friend with me did tell me I should have warmed up my voice before hand . . . I certainly found my voice but it took a couple of lines first.

Thank you!

Performing live is a lot of fun, but can definitely be one of those things where you get stuck in your head a bit. I think one of the biggest things I've learned over the years is to simply train yourself to be adaptable. There are an infinite number of factors that can potentially be a difference between a "good gig" and a "bad gig". Some of those things will be within your control, some won't.

One of those factors to me, is something you mentioned....tone. It seems, no matter what, my gear will have some level of difference from gig to gig (it can even change during the gig as crowd sizes grow or shrink). Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's dramatic. Sometimes my cleans sound too pushed and become a bit overdriven when I want them pristine. Sometimes the amp just doesn't seem to want to respond the way I'm wanting it to. It happens quite a bit, really...but the biggest thing for me here is to try and adapt to it and work with the tools I'm given at a given moment. Same goes for technical mistakes....if I make technical mistakes or screw up a part, I try and adapt and correct it without focusing on it too much. Move past it and, if possible, work it into the rest of the song. Most times, the crowd won't even hear it, but if my body language reflects it, or I focus too much on that mistake, the rest of my performance can suffer. Just simply being in the mindset of being willing to adapt has helped me tremendously with my composure and overall performance.

Which leads me to my next suggestion....performance. I've found the crowd generally isn't as focused on your tone, chops, technical ability, or even if you're essentially playing the song right or wrong. The biggest thing, when it comes to the crowd, is that you're having fun. Generally, crowds enjoy a more relaxed, having-fun performance more than a technically-perfect performance. Of course, this doesn't mean to turn it into something other than a live music performance (i.e. comedy show), but if you can smile, engage with the crowd, laugh at mistakes, and show genuine enjoyment in making your music, it goes a long way with the crowd. And as we all know, energy in a live performance is cyclical....you give off good energy, the crowd receives it and gives it back.

Oh, and yeah, PRS guitars make live performances MUCH more fun!


Hope this helps!

^this^

If you look like you’re enjoying it, most audiences will enjoy it too.

Try to make eye contact with your audience from time to time. It helps to connect with them.

I’m a confident live performer.

Ironically I get “red light” nerves in the recording studio. @PRSWILL has raw vocal tracks of me, exposed and dry. I took several takes to get truly comfortable with a take that I was happy to send him. Even then, I’m not truly happy.

I’m my own worst critic, but there’s no auto-tune on it (yet haha), so it is all me, no tricks, no effects.

So I understand how you feel.

All I will say is, that with time you will become more comfortable and relaxed.

Worst case scenario, just take Alan’s advice and no one will be looking at your hands.

 

[DISTORT6]

Ironically I get “red light” nerves in the recording studio. @PRSWILL has raw vocal tracks of me, exposed and dry. I took several takes to get truly comfortable with a take that I was happy to send him. Even then, I’m not truly happy.

The ’ol “Cindy Brady Syndrome”

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Yep.

Except without the pigtails.

 

[rwandering]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. And definitely no to the pigtails. It has been almost 33 years since I had long hair -- but who's counting -- and avoided ponytails+.

 

[László]

I believe in both preparation and spontaneity.

First comes preparation. If you're well-prepared, you can ALSO be spontaneous and respond to the mood of the audience.

And of course, the more you play out, the more confidence and skill you acquire.

 

[PRSWILL]

@PRSWILL has raw vocal tracks of me, exposed and dry. I took several takes to get truly comfortable with a take that I was happy to send him. Even then, I’m not truly happy.

Hey dude- they're not bad. It's always hard to do this! I've been playing with the tune and I have some "magical" tools to help make the vocal great. I am gone all weekend for a Friday & Saturday gig in Northern MN- but hope to get back to edits this next week. I take a lot of time with vocals- it's an art and I want whatever ends up being memorialized in the final product, to be something you and I can both be proud of! Stay tuned! I'll post the final ( with your permission) out here as well.

For everyone else- this is a long-distance collaboration! pretty cool!