Dealing with nervous energy and keeping it fun

David Berry · Post by **David Berry** » 1 May 2008 6:43 am

Hello fellow steelers. I've been playing in bands nearly all my life. I've been playing steel in bands for about four years now. Our band is playing this Friday and Saturday night (different clubs). I'm usually fine once we've started the first set and have gotten a few songs under our belts. My question to you is what do you do to "tame" that nervous energy before a show? Understand that I'm not talking about stage fright (I don't mind being in front of an audience), just the nervous energy and everything we do as musicians leading up to the count off for the first song. You know, working all day, rushing home, loading the gear, getting to the job, helping unload and setting up the PA, then getting your own stuff ready to go, tuned, etc. Unless of course, you're one of those fortunate ones who plays at a level where you only have to setup your own stuff and play (grin). I like to have fun playing publicly, but I want to look forward to the shows. Sometimes the logistics of playing a job gets in the way of me looking forward to the gig...hence the nervous energy. So, what do you do to make it fun, to tame that restlessness, nervous energy (other than taking shots of whiskey!)?

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 1 May 2008 7:28 am

Great question, David --and well articulated!

You know, working all day, rushing home, loading the gear, getting to the job, helping unload and setting up the PA, then getting your own stuff ready to go, tuned, etc.

A few years ago, I began to grow weary of these logistical "challenges" and found that playing gigs was becoming more & more burdensome. As a result, after 20 years of grinding it out in the clubs, I no longer play gigs (having already tried the whiskey route).

So I for one failed to find an answer to your question (unless quitting qualifies as an answer).

I'd be interested in hearing from other folks who found a better solution. -GV

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 1 May 2008 7:39 am

"tame that restlessness, nervous energy (other than taking shots of whiskey!)?"

Two shots will make you absolutely fool proof !!! ( fooling yourself ) .
I think every steel player goes through it on the first tune or two ,- other
words - will I have my $... together or look foolish . you don't know until
that first song is played .
as for your question , I just figure I'm going to do my best ,
--- hopefully --
I will be at my best . -- every gig is a surprise ! good /Bad IMO

what's funny is playing at some place you don't want to be and you
have a devil may care attitude and every thing plays to the top of
our capabilities . when you don't care it works and when you do care
its all up hill . figure that one !!

Hick

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 1 May 2008 8:04 am

Greg

Though I have been performing, both as an actor and musician for many years, I often find myself in a similar situation that you have so well described. It isn't stage fright, just a bit of nerves. And it always helps when the first tune is a quicky, 2 beat that requires some precise playing (NOT).

What I have found helps is to do a little meditation and yoga breathing before hitting the stage. Visualization and slowing my heartrate down to something manageable seems to really help. Playing through the song in my head also does wonders (when I am racing cars I often spend 15 minutes before the race doing visualizations of the track and how I will approach each corner as well).

A little case of the nerves isn't a bad thing, but it sure helps to come onstage relaxed in body and mind. Oh, and some warm up playing is always a good thing as well to get loosened up.

Best

SS

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 1 May 2008 8:28 am

Never had that problem,Been a honky tonk man for 50 plus years,from the time I was ten years old I knew that's what I wanted to do,At fifteen in the mid 50's was playing clubs[the law was'nt as bad back then checking ID'S etc]Even today at 69 I'm so thankful that I can make a couple of dollars doing something I dearly LOVE to do.DYKBC.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 1 May 2008 8:35 am

I'm told (by what i consider a reliable source) even Buddy Emmons gets "nerves" before going on.

I think its probably a good thing that you shouldnt necessarily seek a counter to. Tension and release brings pleasure

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 1 May 2008 9:10 am

As us older folks have discovered, prescription drugs is the answer and sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps you from punching a fellow band member.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 1 May 2008 11:49 am

I'm in the same boat, been playing in public too long to have any sort of stage fright, but a bit of hyperness before hitting the stage is common for me.

As for how to deal with it, I think Stephen Silver hit it on the head above. Also, if you have no substance abuse issues, a small bit of judiciously applied alcohol or weed will do wonders

I unfortunately neither smoke nor drink, thereby I just deal with it. Breathe and center.

Carroll Hale · Post by **Carroll Hale** » 1 May 2008 12:29 pm

I always believed if ya get a little nervous....it is because you care about how you perform..be it music..sports....other entertainment....
that is the fun and excitement of it...the uncertainity of the game......aint it fun...

Robert Porri · Post by **Robert Porri** » 1 May 2008 12:54 pm

David,

When I play in a duo with my wife, I experience what you are talking about fairly intensely. For me, it has much more to do with getting the PA going and everything set up and being sure the sound is relatively OK and not really nervous about the playing part really. I am often fairly stressed traveling to a gig. When I have time to do a test of the sound, most of that goes away. I remember one night about a year ago when I had one bad cord in the setup and I just couldn't seem to troubleshoot the problem calmly. I forget what the solution was, but I know that it wasn't until after the gig and at home, that I really was able to find out it was a bad cord. Oh, the other part of that was it was a multiple band situation and there was only 15 or 20 minutes to setup and be ready to play.

So, I also think that you pinned down an interesting question.

Bob P.

David Berry · Post by **David Berry** » 2 May 2008 8:54 am

I appreciate all the kind words of wisdom and support. I really like this forum. It's a good place to vent, to share, and to receive good feedback (the good kind of feedback!!). Have a great weekend ya'll...

David

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 2 May 2008 9:34 am

Bo Legg,Yep! May I suggest 5 milligrams of Valium,Or Vicodin...Most of the good ones start with a V,And yes it keeps me from punching band members out!

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 2 May 2008 12:01 pm

one beer and about an hour before,,some greasy food.

I set up,, sound check,, go eat,, come back have a beer play.

Its hardest for me when we headline a show with 3 other bands,, I dont want to start drinking to early and screw up my parts,, so I just wander around outside till its time to go on, away from the temptation.

Another beer on stage if the venue is right.

Playing steel sobered me up,lol

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 May 2008 1:40 pm

nervous energy? maybe when i was younger and hadn't yet accepted that all you can do, playing wise, is what you can do...the best you can, and if that doesn't work, sorry...

nowadays any kind of energy would be nice.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 May 2008 3:39 pm

I went to a seminar conducted by the late Barney Kessel way back in about 1964 in London.

His advice on this? Deep breathing to control your pulse - especially recommended for tackling difficult passages that might be at the outer edge of your abilities.

I've tried to follow his example over the years, and I've found it eminently more effective than alcohol!

It really does help.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 3 May 2008 8:36 am

In my experience, not being rushed. If it is a sit down job, get there early so you can tune up, visit a little, have a drink if you you drink.

If you have to leave the house and go somewhere, start early so you can load your equipment, take your time driving, set up, tune, etc.

I know this is not always possible but it helps me when I can. Just my 2 cents plus gas.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 May 2008 8:57 am

My approach is like Steve and Twayn's: breathe and center. Get away from the crowd for a few minutes, sit down, close your eyes, take several deep breaths that really fill your chest and let them out really sloooowly (otherwise you're hyperventilating which is definitely counterproductive!). Repeat a few times until you feel yourself relax and settle in. Sometimes it also helps to remind yourself that everybody in the audience loves you and is on your side in this crazy world of ours. Even if it's a lie.

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Dealing with nervous energy and keeping it fun

Dealing with nervous energy and keeping it fun

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