Menu
Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend all
my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the chance
to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've been
playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so we
load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few beers,
maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've usually
play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There you
are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're Vintage
White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just once
I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it curable
with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
me?
(/rant)
Patrick
www.thecavefish.com
www.myspace.com/cavefish
exactly two beers
On Aug 5, 2005, at 2:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
> Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
>
> We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend all
> my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the chance
> to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've been
> playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so we
> load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few beers,
> maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've usually
> play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
>
> Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There you
> are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're Vintage
> White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just once
> I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
>
> Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it curable
> with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> me?
>
> (/rant)
>
> Patrick
> www.thecavefish.com
> www.myspace.com/cavefish
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> ~-->
> <font face=arial size=-1><a href="
> SIG=12hgatg6n/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/
> S=1705032047:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1123275004/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/
> *
> source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=">What would our
> lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or
> volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
I think it's something that does eventually go away,
but you've got to a)be comfortable being on stage b)be
comfortable with your instrument and c)be comfortable
with the band and the material. I used to get all
tense at shows and screw things up that I never
screwed up in practice. It's just a different
ballgame. You've got to keep at it until you finally
have a good night. After that you'll cruise right
along until one of the above-mentioned things changes.
Then you're back to square one, but the jitter period
doesn't last as long each subsequent time around.
Richard
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
Don't think about it, just play.
Easier said than done, yes. But if you at least make an effort to try not to
think about it,
you'll eventually improve and gradually gain more confidence on stage.
Works for me...
most of the time.
-Paul
--- In , Richard <errant_jedi@y...> wrote:
> I think it's something that does eventually go away,
> but you've got to a)be comfortable being on stage b)be
> comfortable with your instrument and c)be comfortable
> with the band and the material. I used to get all
> tense at shows and screw things up that I never
> screwed up in practice. It's just a different
> ballgame. You've got to keep at it until you finally
> have a good night. After that you'll cruise right
> along until one of the above-mentioned things changes.
> Then you're back to square one, but the jitter period
> doesn't last as long each subsequent time around.
>
> Richard
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________
> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
>
Here's what works for me, I try to make sure that we have a show opener that we
are ALL really comfortable with....one that feels so good to play that you don't
even think about it, you just fall into place.....Typically it's the same song
for every show and we also almost always start off practice with it as
well.....It never is the most moving thing that we end up playing, but if you
make it through the first number ok, then you are more or less home free. Every
time you get the guitar out to play at home......you guessed it! We also make a
point out of always trying to set up exactly the same way and you get used to
hearing each other from a fixed perspective....I think "comfort" is what allows
us average guitar players to pull it off and excell beyond our
limits.......eddie k
John Brownlow <> wrote:exactly two beers
On Aug 5, 2005, at 2:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
> Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
>
> We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend all
> my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the chance
> to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've been
> playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so we
> load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few beers,
> maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've usually
> play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
>
> Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There you
> are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're Vintage
> White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just once
> I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
>
> Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it curable
> with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> me?
>
> (/rant)
>
> Patrick
> www.thecavefish.com
> www.myspace.com/cavefish
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> ~-->
> <font face=arial size=-1><a href="
> SIG=12hgatg6n/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/
> S=1705032047:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1123275004/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/
> *
> source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=">What would our
> lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or
> volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
---------------------------------
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm not a geetar player, but this works for drums and I've seen it
work for guitar players I've shown it to as well. In your "pre-show"
warm up, find someplace to jump up and down, as if you're jumping
rope. It won't take long until you're huffing and puffing a little. Do
it on and off for at least 5 minutes. Combine this with arm and wrist
stretches and your beers, etc. Remember to keep breathing when you hit
the stage and start to play and you'll be amazed at the difference.
It's all in the oxygen intake. You're probably subconciously holding
your breath or not breathing normally. This causes your muscles and
joints to lock up and freeze. Good luck!
Ted Pilgrim
Our pre-show ritual in Dead Man's Curve, which we did before every
show we ever played, was to stand in a circle in the dressing room
and wave our fists, shouting louder and louder, "we will prevail, We
Will Prevail, WE WILL PREVAIL!" until we were screaming at the top of
our longs. It totally kicked out the jams and we always hit the stage
running as a result. People thought we were completely mad,
especially when we had to do it in public washrooms when we were
doing festival gigs etc.
On Aug 5, 2005, at 4:43 PM, spskins wrote:
> I'm not a geetar player, but this works for drums and I've seen it
> work for guitar players I've shown it to as well. In your "pre-show"
> warm up, find someplace to jump up and down, as if you're jumping
> rope. It won't take long until you're huffing and puffing a little. Do
> it on and off for at least 5 minutes. Combine this with arm and wrist
> stretches and your beers, etc. Remember to keep breathing when you hit
> the stage and start to play and you'll be amazed at the difference.
> It's all in the oxygen intake. You're probably subconciously holding
> your breath or not breathing normally. This causes your muscles and
> joints to lock up and freeze. Good luck!
> Ted Pilgrim
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> ~-->
> <font face=arial size=-1><a href="
> SIG=12httcp4r/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/
> S=1705032047:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1123281820/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/
> *
> source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=">What would our
> lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or
> volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Attitude has a lot to do with it. 2 attitudes generally prevail:
Attitude one - Oh crap, look at all those people, I hope I don't screw
up.
Attitude two - Oh Boy, look at all those people, wait til they hear us!
I think most of us have been guilty of #1 at one time or another. Ego
and/or experience bring you to number 2.
At least, that's the way I see it.
Spanky
On Aug 5, 2005, at 1:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
> Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
>
> We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend all
> my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the chance
> to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've been
> playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so we
> load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few beers,
> maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've usually
> play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
>
> Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There you
> are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're Vintage
> White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just once
> I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
>
> Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it curable
> with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> me?
>
> (/rant)Â Â
>
> Patrick
> www.thecavefish.com
> www.myspace.com/cavefish
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS
>
> Guitar music
> Guitar sheet music
> Guitar tablature
>
> Stringed instruments
>
>
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
> ⪠ Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
> Â
> ⪠ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Â
> Â
> ⪠ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Haha...the breathing part is especially true, when jamming with friends i
will unitensionally take a deep breath in and hold it before playing a part
that may be tougher for me. I don't know why I started doing that, but it is
an unconcious move on my part. Whenever I do it they always rip on me for
"deep sea diving." but now that I notice it, I can really tell that my body
tenses up.
Surf in Seattle?
>From: "spskins" <>
>Reply-To:
>To:
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Double picking and pre-show jitters
>Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 20:43:19 -0000
>
>I'm not a geetar player, but this works for drums and I've seen it
>work for guitar players I've shown it to as well. In your "pre-show"
>warm up, find someplace to jump up and down, as if you're jumping
>rope. It won't take long until you're huffing and puffing a little. Do
>it on and off for at least 5 minutes. Combine this with arm and wrist
>stretches and your beers, etc. Remember to keep breathing when you hit
>the stage and start to play and you'll be amazed at the difference.
>It's all in the oxygen intake. You're probably subconciously holding
>your breath or not breathing normally. This causes your muscles and
>joints to lock up and freeze. Good luck!
>Ted Pilgrim
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
We use the same approach as John and it seem to work well for us:
always start with the same song, something you have down cold. Open
every practice with it. Best to play a relatively easy song that you
know most people like to open with - it gets you warmed up and builds
confidence. For us its "Apache". Personally, I don't believe alcohol
contributes much to anyone's playing - it only makes for a less
critical listener - i.e. after a few beers you simply think you sound
better. Casey
--- In , John McCorvey
<eddiekatcher@y...> wrote:
> Here's what works for me, I try to make sure that we have a show
opener that we are ALL really comfortable with....one that feels so
good to play that you don't even think about it, you just fall into
place.....Typically it's the same song for every show and we also
almost always start off practice with it as well.....It never is the
most moving thing that we end up playing, but if you make it through
the first number ok, then you are more or less home free. Every time
you get the guitar out to play at home......you guessed it! We also
make a point out of always trying to set up exactly the same way and
you get used to hearing each other from a fixed perspective....I think
"comfort" is what allows us average guitar players to pull it off and
excell beyond our limits.......eddie k
>
> John Brownlow <lists@j...> wrote:exactly two beers
>
> On Aug 5, 2005, at 2:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
>
> > Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
> >
> > We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend all
> > my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the chance
> > to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've been
> > playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so we
> > load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few beers,
> > maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've usually
> > play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
> >
> > Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> > That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> > picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There you
> > are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> > volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> > life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're Vintage
> > White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> > Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> > eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just once
> > I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
> >
> > Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it curable
> > with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> > me?
> >
> > (/rant)
> >
> > Patrick
> > www.thecavefish.com
> > www.myspace.com/cavefish
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> > ~-->
> > <font face=arial size=-1><a href="
> > SIG=12hgatg6n/M=362335.6886442.7839733.3022183/D=grplch/
> > S=1705032047:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1123275004/A=2894366/R=0/SIG=138c78jl6/
> > *
> > source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=">What would our
> > lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or
> > volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good</a>.</font>
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ~->
> >
> > .
> > Visit for archived
> > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
> Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I actually have done (fairly) objective research on this. As a
college student I was a very dedicated (and very good) pinball
player. I was once part of a group who managed to stay on a machine
for 24 hours on a single coin. Me and my friends began to record our
scores every night and correlate them with how much beer we'd drunk.
The pattern was incredibly clear: my scores were higher with one beer
and higher still with two beers. After two they plummeted horribly.
I also investigated the effect of risky vs. conservative strategies
and discovered that I could increase my scores by a small but
noticeable margin by playing in a deliberately more risky way than I
usually did. The variance went up too, so I got higher scores and
lower scores, but overall the average was higher. It may be that the
alcohol encouraged riskier playing and this accounts for the result.
However I think there was a relaxation factor in there as well.
Another result was that although scores increased over time as we got
better, they did not do so steadily. They would increase, plateau and
then drop, before rising again to a higher plateau than before. This
was because having reached a certain level of performance, we would
try out new strategies, many of which were failures. However, once we
figured out which ones worked and which ones didn't, we could
incorporate the successful ones into our playing and increase our
performance.
Anyway, back to beer. It probably has different effect on different
people but alcohol is certainly a relaxant and it also depresses
inhibitions and thus changes risk taking behavior. At the beginning
of a show I am tight and conservative in the way I play and the two
beers obviously change this.
On 6-Aug-05, at 5:15 AM, Casey Cash wrote:
> Personally, I don't believe alcohol
> contributes much to anyone's playing - it only makes for a less
> critical listener - i.e. after a few beers you simply think you sound
> better. Casey
>
John, I think you are right - whatever you may lose in dexterity from
the 1st beer or 2 can easily be offset by your increased confidence
and willingness to take risks. After that, its downhill for most of
us. Casey
--- In , John Brownlow <lists@j...> wrote:
> I actually have done (fairly) objective research on this. As a
> college student I was a very dedicated (and very good) pinball
> player. I was once part of a group who managed to stay on a machine
> for 24 hours on a single coin. Me and my friends began to record our
> scores every night and correlate them with how much beer we'd drunk.
> The pattern was incredibly clear: my scores were higher with one beer
> and higher still with two beers. After two they plummeted horribly.
>
> I also investigated the effect of risky vs. conservative strategies
> and discovered that I could increase my scores by a small but
> noticeable margin by playing in a deliberately more risky way than I
> usually did. The variance went up too, so I got higher scores and
> lower scores, but overall the average was higher. It may be that the
> alcohol encouraged riskier playing and this accounts for the result.
> However I think there was a relaxation factor in there as well.
>
> Another result was that although scores increased over time as we got
> better, they did not do so steadily. They would increase, plateau and
> then drop, before rising again to a higher plateau than before. This
> was because having reached a certain level of performance, we would
> try out new strategies, many of which were failures. However, once we
> figured out which ones worked and which ones didn't, we could
> incorporate the successful ones into our playing and increase our
> performance.
>
> Anyway, back to beer. It probably has different effect on different
> people but alcohol is certainly a relaxant and it also depresses
> inhibitions and thus changes risk taking behavior. At the beginning
> of a show I am tight and conservative in the way I play and the two
> beers obviously change this.
>
>
> On 6-Aug-05, at 5:15 AM, Casey Cash wrote:
>
> > Personally, I don't believe alcohol
> > contributes much to anyone's playing - it only makes for a less
> > critical listener - i.e. after a few beers you simply think you sound
> > better. Casey
> >
Then there's always a 3rd but not so humble attitude:
-People who "get it" will dig it anyway, those who don't...
Seriously, in the Daytonas we often got great crowd responses from
the shows when we screwed up the most!
Nowadays it's nice to be spared from dealing with stage nerves and
shit since we don't do live shows in the Surfites. I wonder if I'm
starting to get old...
Klas / The Daytonas / The Surfites
--- In , Twangler <twangler@p...> wrote:
> Attitude has a lot to do with it. 2 attitudes generally prevail:
>
> Attitude one - Oh crap, look at all those people, I hope I don't
screw
> up.
>
> Attitude two - Oh Boy, look at all those people, wait til they hear
us!
>
> I think most of us have been guilty of #1 at one time or another.
Ego
> and/or experience bring you to number 2.
>
> At least, that's the way I see it.
>
> Spanky
> On Aug 5, 2005, at 1:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
>
> > Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
> >
> > We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend
all
> > my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the
chance
> > to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've
been
> > playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so
we
> > load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few
beers,
> > maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've
usually
> > play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
> >
> > Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> > That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> > picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There
you
> > are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> > volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> > life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're
Vintage
> > White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> > Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> > eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just
once
> > I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
> >
> > Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it
curable
> > with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> > me?
> >
> > (/rant)Â Â
> >
> > Patrick
> > www.thecavefish.com
> > www.myspace.com/cavefish
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit for archived
> > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > SPONSORED LINKS
> >
> > Guitar music
> > Guitar sheet music
> > Guitar tablature
> >
> > Stringed instruments
> >
> >
> > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> >
> >
> > ⪠ Visit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
> > Â
> > ⪠ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Â
> > Â
> > ⪠ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of
> > Service.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Getting the jitters before a gig is knd of like surfing.
You can stand on the beach and look at these gnarly waves rollin' in and start
thinkin' "Man, I could really eat shit out here". It's not until you paddle out,
get your head wet, catch a couple waves, and then realize how fun it is.
I think it's the same thing playing live in front of a crowd.
After you play a couple tunes, and get a good response from the crowd, you start
to loosen up and have fun.
At least, that's what happens with me.
Billy
P.S. Now if they start throwin' tomatoes, well then you have to
worry.................
---- Klas Fjellgren <> wrote:
> Then there's always a 3rd but not so humble attitude:
>
> -People who "get it" will dig it anyway, those who don't...
>
> Seriously, in the Daytonas we often got great crowd responses from
> the shows when we screwed up the most!
>
> Nowadays it's nice to be spared from dealing with stage nerves and
> shit since we don't do live shows in the Surfites. I wonder if I'm
> starting to get old...
>
> Klas / The Daytonas / The Surfites
>
>
> --- In , Twangler <twangler@p...> wrote:
>
> > Attitude has a lot to do with it. 2 attitudes generally prevail:
> >
> > Attitude one - Oh crap, look at all those people, I hope I don't
> screw
> > up.
> >
> > Attitude two - Oh Boy, look at all those people, wait til they hear
> us!
> >
> > I think most of us have been guilty of #1 at one time or another.
> Ego
> > and/or experience bring you to number 2.
> >
> > At least, that's the way I see it.
> >
> > Spanky
> > On Aug 5, 2005, at 1:49 PM, Patrick wrote:
> >
> > > Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
> > >
> > > We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail. I spend
> all
> > > my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for the
> chance
> > > to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but we've
> been
> > > playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm jacked, so
> we
> > > load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a few
> beers,
> > > maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait (we've
> usually
> > > play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this point)...
> > >
> > > Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's something else.
> > > That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque speed
> > > picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist. There
> you
> > > are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you at stage
> > > volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head, and your
> > > life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus," you're
> Vintage
> > > White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter pattern of
> > > Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist doesn't
> > > eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know, just
> once
> > > I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
> > >
> > > Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is it
> curable
> > > with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is it just
> > > me?
> > >
> > > (/rant)ÃÂ ÃÂ
> > >
> > > Patrick
> > > www.thecavefish.com
> > > www.myspace.com/cavefish
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > .
> > > Visit for archived
> > > messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > SPONSORED LINKS
> > >
> > > Guitar music
> > > Guitar sheet music
> > > Guitar tablature
> > >
> > > Stringed instruments
> > >
> > >
> > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> > >
> > >
> > > ⪠àVisit your group "SurfGuitar101" on the web.
> > > ÃÂ
> > > ⪠àTo unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > ÃÂ
> > > ÃÂ
> > > ⪠àYour use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
> Terms of
> > > Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
It sounds like adrenalin to me...especially the "loosen up
by the third song" routine...I would recomend solitude and
breathing before you hit the stage. Stay away from too much
caffiene right before you hit the stage. Drink water.
good luck,
-dp
--- Patrick <> wrote:
> Maybe it's just me...(start rant)...
>
> We've had about 5 shows now, and it never seems to fail.
> I spend all
> my time up until show-day on pins and needles waiting for
> the chance
> to play for folks (we're still a relatively new band, but
> we've been
> playing about once a month). Gig-day arrives, and I'm
> jacked, so we
> load up the gear, head to wherever the locale is, have a
> few beers,
> maybe grab a bite. Unload the gear, hurry up and wait
> (we've usually
> play in the middle of a multiband lineup to this
> point)...
>
> Then it hits. It's not stagefright, per se, it's
> something else.
> That loose feeling that's oh-so-conducive to Dick-esque
> speed
> picking has been replaced by a rigor-mortis of the wrist.
> There you
> are, onstage, guitar strapped on, amp buzzing behind you
> at stage
> volume. Yet if somebody were holding a gun to your head,
> and your
> life depended on your ability to play, say, "Nitrus,"
> you're Vintage
> White Jazzmaster would have a new finish of a splatter
> pattern of
> Shell Pink and Candy Apple Red. Not that the arm/wrist
> doesn't
> eventually limber up by the 3rd song, but damn, you know,
> just once
> I'd like to start a set off with a real ass-kicker...
>
> Is it something that goes away the more gigs you play? Is
> it curable
> with a stiff shot or two? Is it nerves? Psychological? Is
> it just
> me?
>
> (/rant)
>
> Patrick
> www.thecavefish.com
> www.myspace.com/cavefish
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> <font face=arial size=-1><a
>
href="">What
> would our lives be like without music, dance, and
> theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network
> for Good</a>.</font>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
exactly! well said...great advice...
-dp
--- spskins <> wrote:
> I'm not a geetar player, but this works for drums and
> I've seen it
> work for guitar players I've shown it to as well. In
> your "pre-show"
> warm up, find someplace to jump up and down, as if you're
> jumping
> rope. It won't take long until you're huffing and puffing
> a little. Do
> it on and off for at least 5 minutes. Combine this with
> arm and wrist
> stretches and your beers, etc. Remember to keep breathing
> when you hit
> the stage and start to play and you'll be amazed at the
> difference.
> It's all in the oxygen intake. You're probably
> subconciously holding
> your breath or not breathing normally. This causes your
> muscles and
> joints to lock up and freeze. Good luck!
> Ted Pilgrim
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> <font face=arial size=-1><a
>
href="">What
> would our lives be like without music, dance, and
> theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network
> for Good</a>.</font>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
I'm always a mental mess when I play live, here's how I deal with it.
I never drink coffee before, my hand shakes so much I can't play.
A beer of two is cool for me but I don't drink much before playing,
after is a different story.
Da Weed is out of the question; I will forget how to tie my own shoes
on stage.
A 20 min. warmup before helps me settle down.
I practice my butt off in preperation for the gig so I'm confident
that I know the tunes and I can focus my nervous energy into playing
the songs.
Rick
--- In , DP <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> exactly! well said...great advice...
> -dp
>
>
>
> --- spskins <superchimp9@h...> wrote:
>
> > I'm not a geetar player, but this works for drums and
> > I've seen it
> > work for guitar players I've shown it to as well. In
> > your "pre-show"
> > warm up, find someplace to jump up and down, as if you're
> > jumping
> > rope. It won't take long until you're huffing and puffing
> > a little. Do
> > it on and off for at least 5 minutes. Combine this with
> > arm and wrist
> > stretches and your beers, etc. Remember to keep breathing
> > when you hit
> > the stage and start to play and you'll be amazed at the
> > difference.
> > It's all in the oxygen intake. You're probably
> > subconciously holding
> > your breath or not breathing normally. This causes your
> > muscles and
> > joints to lock up and freeze. Good luck!
> > Ted Pilgrim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > --------------------~-->
> > <font face=arial size=-1><a
> >
>
href="
022183/D=grplch/S=1705032047:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1123281820/A=2894366/R=0/S
IG=138c78jl6/*
source=YAHOO&cmpgn=GRP&RTP=">What
> > would our lives be like without music, dance, and
> > theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network
> > for Good</a>.</font>
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
~->
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit for
> > archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
