It used to practically cripple me. I never performed anywhere for about 10 years. And then I tried again, and I was fine. I think there 3 main reasons why. One is, I'm over sixty now and I tend not to care what others think about me - something that really used to plague me. But I also read a couple of things that helped me a lot. One was, that nervousness is actually selfish and self centred. ITS NOT ABOUT YOU. The next thing was, think of performing as giving the audience a gift. You owe them nothing, but you are offering them something. It they don't like what you do, its on them. You have given your best in good faith and that is all you can ever do. I think all of these 3 things went a long way to helping me relax and strive to have fun vs putting so much pressure on myself.
I think the suggestion of getting the focus off of ourselves and on to the other people--the ones that we're performing for, or working for, or whatever--is really useful.
What a great comment Donald ,think I will copy and paste it and read it every time I go play ,I definitely feel im on trial playing publicly ,and standard is being judged
A few tips I've learned: 1) Don't just practice....ALWAYS practice how you'll play, especially in the days leading up to the gig or recording session. Use the same guitar, same strap, same rig, same posture (standing vs. sitting), everything. 2) See the audience as your friend, rather than your enemy. They want you to play well, so don't think they're just waiting on you to mess up. They are FOR you, not against you. 3) Visualize playing your parts without a guitar in your hand, especially if (like me) you're a visual person.
I used to have terrible stage fright. My hands would tremble and I'd feel like I forgot everything. But now I love playing in front of people and the more people, the better. I've played in front of thousands for some festivals and outdoor shows and loved it... The way that I got over it though was through PREPARATION and PRACTICE. Anytime we were performing a new song, I'd get a little nervous. If it's something that the band has rehearsed hundreds of times, I felt confident and excited to show the world what we came up with.
I have NEVER actually played a guitar in a guitar shop! Too many nerves! Let me tell you it really makes buying a guitar difficult! Both my guitars were purchased online for just that reason. I m glad you posted this Justin!
I had not played for many years so I told the Andertons salesman that I just wanted to hold the guitar, not actually play it - he offered me the use of a practice room!
Acoustic M Hey - i have the same experience - it’s thinking that somehow the sales guy is going to think you’re too crap of a player to warrant the guitar you are interested in. Did the online thing for exactly the same reason. Getting older now and thinking i don’t really give a shit but it is amazing how powerful and intimidating that is. Justin’s video is great and right on the money. Truth is the sales guy is more interested in selling a guitar than thinking whether we’re any good or not, but still hilarious how everything just vanishes from your mind just when you want it most! Thanks for posting your comments - makes me feel better.
Yes I changed my feelings from feeling nervous to looking forward to it. However, my hands don't go where I want them to and as I fingerpick 95% of the time it meant I cocked up my playing. This regularly wrecks me big time.
Justin, I know this video is about guitar, but your dog stole the show. She is awesome! Great setting and great information. I went brain dead while playing in front of a friend/guitar teacher. Couldn't remember what I learned over the last year. Haha
The dog walking format for these type of videos is perfect. Don’t change the setting at all. I’m starting to become familiar with where you go and that makes me feel a part of your world which is important for what you are doing. Rather than feeling like stranger looking in, I’m part of where you are.
I've been a musician since childhood, Berklee alumni and all. I'm a born again musician on guitar. My problem with stage fright was basically that, I played in front of an audience so infrequently, and when I did, many of the people in the audience were also musicians. So when I picked up guitar over four years ago, I decided the best way to deal with this was to play outside, in public, on a park bench a couple of times a week. That really worked amazingly well. I have no problem playing in front of others, even making the inevitable mistakes. In fact, I'm often annoyed dealing with the occasional obnoxious audience member; even that is helpful though, because it's gonna happen. But I have yet to play guitar, on a stage, in front of an audience of any size. Recently, I was invited to play at local festivals, and so that ambition and situation is about to be realized. I told the organizer that ideally, I rather not be unaccompanied; in fact I rather play back up for others. As you're doing in this video, I can easily babble on about this topic. I appreciate the lack of an organized presentation, just walking the dog.
Thanks Tom, glad you enjoyed it. Love to get you over for a video if you ever have time and interest, I'm a big fan of your playing and enjoying your legato course! :) You at namm next week?
When my wife and I go for walks and hikes, we deeply appreciate it when dog walkers use a lead, even though we are both comfortable around all kinds of dogs. You don't need to apologize for being considerate and responsible. ;-)
It makes me wonder how did the Beatles do it I watch them on you tube live and they seem like they had nerves of steel not counting the brilliant performances they did just amazing
Yes would love to hear what Paul and Ringo have to say about it. Probably that they started so young they had no nerves then and just became normal to perform.
Great video! :) Another thing that helps me is remembering that the audience is there to have fun, not to scrutinize your every little mistake. They WANT to like you and enjoy your performance.
Great advice in a relaxing setting. I've only played one public gig and it went totally wrong. From this video I can take so much to help me with a more successful next gig. I'm learning to play pedal steel guitar but what I glean from your videos is so helpful. Thanks for your willingness to share.
I used to suffer from anxiety pretty bad. My trick was to throw really cold water on my face. The shock distracts the mind and it kinda resets itself. Great tips, thanks.
I think it's not the shock that distracts you from being nervous. I've heard cold water turns on our 'rest and digest' mode which helps to calm ourselves and feel normal afain.
Thanks Justin all great advice. I used to have to speak publicly for my job and after the first few times never felt nervous again in front of large crowds. However put a guitar in my hand and ask me to play a song that I have nailed and can do privately without thinking, and fingers become concrete if someone walks in. My problem is striving to be a perfectionist in learning everything note for note, then if I miss a note it throws me off. Advice from my wife,... who cares most people won't even realize you made a mistake if you look like you are having a good time and carry on! I once read and article on a very famous current guitarist who claims he makes several mistakes every show. I'm pretty sure that only he and maybe the most ardent critic notices. In other words we should not let our own pursuit of perfection take away from why we play in the first place, to have fun.
Great little discussion topic, the tricky part with dealing with nervousness is that everybody is different, everybody gets nervous in different ways, and everyone has to do something different to feel comfortable. For me, playing live I can calm myself down if I have trust in myself and the musicians I'm playing with. If I know I've practiced the songs really well and I know I can play them, and if I trust that the guys around me can play the songs, then I'll be comfortable and sitting around quite calmly before I head on stage. If I'm concerned because I haven't practiced or I don't really know the guys I'm playing with and don't fully trust them yet, then I will get a bit nervous, and for me at that point I know to always make sure I'm with someone, doing something or talking, or whatever, just to keep my mind occupied, and that will just distract me and hopefully I'll forget that I'm nervous. So hopefully someone can get something out of that! :)
Justin you really are the daddy of youtube guitar stuff, every video is really helpful and i am so appreciative of the huge volume of lessons and advice you have shared!!!
I am about to play my first song at a MEET UP TAVERN in July. Thanks for your tips. It has helped and gives me more Courage to do my First Gig. Also I am doing your Beginners Course. Take Care and Be Well.
Thank you Justin for the sage advice and for opening up to a vast group of strangers. On stage, I find the lights helped a lot when I was just starting to play out. I couldn’t see the audience... lol
This video is so helpful to me ! Doggie ziggi is so cute the erea is so nice. I played Wonderwall on guitar for my family the first time and I had a little a brain fog but otherwise no problem playing it alone.
Thanks Justin Personally, I accept that I will make some mistakes which kind of takes the pressure off! Then if errors do happen I don't panic so much. Weird but works for me!!
Thank you so much for this. I feel like an idiot, because every time I turn the camera on to record something for my channel, I get horribly nervous. It's terrible. I used to lecture on a stage to hundreds of people, and never had any issues. But turn a camera on, and I fall apart. It's getting better as I record myself more and more, but wow. I'm working it out, and it's getting better and better the more I do it. I'm very thankful for that, LOL. Brilliant vid! Thanks again!
Thank you so much for this! I suffer with chronic multiple mental health problems and seizures, so everything is quite overwhelming. I even get anxious whilst I'm completely alone practising and playing, which sometimes puts me off and other times I just can't be bothered due to the depression or even just thinking 'what's the point, I'm never going to achieve anything. I first started learning how to play as a hobby and the therapeutic side of things, but I'd 'met' so many people online who have inspired and encouraged me to continue and even got me writing poetry again. It's turned into so much more now, and I'm writing not only poems, but songs.. though I find it hard to put music to them, I finally managed to lay some chords over some lyrics the other night at 04:30am and I got so excited I told all my online friends about it. I still can't sing and play at the same time, as my strumming hand go's nuts. It's really turned into so much more than a hobby though, more a dream and I hope to start live streaming my practice, playing, cover songs and originals! Thank you :D
Hi... don't ever feel you have to 'perform' when trying out a guitar in a guitar shop. It's not an audition... No need to impress anyone... You simply want to feel happy you've bought the best guitar for you. Play some simple chords all around the neck and some solo notes... Get a feel for each guitar without feeling pressured in to playing the same old rock dross that everyone plays. Check the guitar out thoroughly without resorting to one recognisable lick or riff... Don't be distracted by trying to impress anyone... It's not an audition.
Your videos are great. Performance anxiety is at the top of the list for me. Its good to know that I'm not the only one and that someone as accomplished as you has the same feelings at times. I started lessons again as an adult a couple of years ago and my anxiety was the worst in front of my instructor. I didn't continue because it became so detrimental. Looking back, I wish I had talked to him about it.
Brilliant video Justin,thank you! Its great to hear more musicians talking about Mindfulness and looking into Philosophy. Fantastic advice and super relaxing video. A really great book to check out for anyone interested is 'Free Play - Improvisation in Life and Art' by Stephen Nachmanovitch. The book focus's on ways and ideas to help cultivate that feeling of being in the 'zone' whilst playing, practising, and creating with a sense of playfulness. It ties together themes of Philosophy and Mindfulness. Well worth a look! Focusing, Meditation and looking into the philosophy of Taoism has helped me personally on my journey. I wish I had been aware of these things earlier on in my playing career! It changes more than just our playing, but our lives and others around us.
Cool video, and a lot of positive information and tips Justin..! I've been playing since 1983 live on stage, and started back recently in a duo setup with backing tracks for drums and Bass and I still crap myself when I go live..! So hard to get a grip on it...I think you just have to go for it knowing that the audience just wants to be entertained and the more confident you are the better. It's never easy..! Ed..UK..😀 ( 71 now..! )
Long ago, I wrote a song and played it to a group of ~50 people. I was super nervous but played through v1 to the chorus... then I forgot everything, full stop! Somehow had the courage to ask to start over. I started over, same thing happened... v1 to chorus - complete brain blank - full stop #2! I apologized & sat down... You could have cut the awkwardness in the room with a knife. Mortifying at the time, absolutely hysterical in retrospect!! Go ahead and fail, it's funny (later). :-)
Many years ago Justin , you gave a great piece of advice. Simply that if you think you stink. That alone has kept me practicing before performing but try as I might I find myself thinking more
Enjoyed the walk in the woods with you and the dog. Some great advice. I thought I was the only one that suffered from anxiety when playing for people.
When live performance starts, my fingers and voice tighten up and it drives me nuts! Usually subsides after the first song but quickly returns at the first wrong note or mess up lol. All part of the process and doing what I can to breathe, relax, and get on with it! Thanks so much for this Justin. Please keep these type of topics coming.
This idea of tailoring your expectations prior to doing something you may feel some trepidation about is absolutely huge and can be applied to all facets of life. It can be incorporated with visualization and intent. Decide in advance how you want things to go and take some time to imagine that happening prior. I have found this really works and affects how things actually play out.
Thank you, Justin - and Ziggy! I have struggled with this problem my entire life. And I even know the situation that caused it! (It happened in 1st grade!) Be that as it may, it has been very hard to overcome. I have been playing drums at my church for the last 6 years and I finally have gotten to the place to where I don't freak out. And to be honest, I think the difference is in my attitude. I know these people love me and if I don't quite remember a song (I have a thought disorder) I know I can fake it well enough. I also use chord sheets to write down reminders although I hate to be dependent on them. But, again, thank you!
This was lovely thanks. I have been playing for half a century and I still get clammy hands. :) My last doggy was named ziggy. Cheers from the left edge of Canada.
Thank you Justin , I really enjoy your talks and lessons, my greatest fan of my music is my dog , she always comes next to me when I practice, I miss her a lot.
I'm an academic so have to present regularly in front of 100's people. I always get super nervous and question whether I should even be there, but I found the best way to settle nerves is, as you say, concentrate on your breathing. Take a few very deep breaths and that helps to regulate the heart beat. Other hint (which might not work for a musician), is to listen to some music just before going on stage, pick something that you love and it helps you to forget what it is that you're about to do.
I’ve really enjoyed these walking and studio vlogs. Always interesting to see the minutiae goes through other people s minds I don’t and never really have suffered from anxiety in my life but it’s important for me to recognise it in other people I’m around or playing with. Make sure they are okay
I just started reading The Confidence Gap (Dr. Russ Harris). And I'm already doing yoga and meditation. Just started playing since this summer every day and know I'm in stage 3 on your website. Thank you so much for the free lessons and advice. You're such a great guy! And also very funny :)
A video on how you got the Katie Melua gig would be great. With advice for those professionals who are teachers, have done plenary of functions, theatre tours ect but want to get that 'big' break of working with a successful original artist. Great video btw always enjoy!
Mike Ward I thought he taught her how to play whilst he was on tour with her? So I thought it was he got the gig and then taught her whilst on the gig? Dunno whether that’s right.
Wow, Justin has suffered from stage freight. Seriously, for many, many years I thought I was the only one who danced with the performance anxiety demon. I really did. This has been my biggest hurdle while I've been studying to get my degree in music. It's taken me 3 months to get up and jam at a buskers night with my friend who runs it. I did it though. I have sound dismorphia where everything I play on the guitar to me sounds terrible. When people say to me, wow that sounded so good, I think they're just saying it to be nice. I generally believe that I sound like a soggy fart in a brown paper bag when I play. It gives me some solace that musicians of Justin's calibre also suffer from this. Not that I'm happy that they're suffering, it's just that I'm not alone. A problem shared is a problem halved. Thanks Justin.
Toward the very end when you were emphasizing how if you think things will go wrong they will, there's a saying I try to keep up aware of for that situation that goes 'Argue enough for your limitations and sure enough they're yours' ... We can talk ourselves into failure very easily... I'm really digging these 'insight ' videos man... You're quite adept at it... Perhaps there's a career in 'Therapy' waiting to be explored...lol...Beautiful dog by the way...
Great Idea these chats Justin. Guitar stuff in a very calming and peaceful space, which is great in itself. Thanks for telling us about the Headspace App will check that out. Very honest of you to chat so openly about your fears and anxiety.
I've only played open mic at folk clubs, but it helped me not to focus too much on the audience. Could be difficult as it was generally in small spaces.
Excellent! What a wonderful video this was, I think that even listening to you relate stories of your own stage fright, helped me relax about mine.The only time I've been on stage without some nerves has been as the drummer for a band. I'm always nervous when playing guitar and singing, and this video really helped!
Watched an interview with Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden. He said that even with more than 40 years of performing under their belts, all of iron Maiden still suffer from nerves before a concert. Nicko and Adrian Smith always warm up before a show partly to get rid of their nerves
Hi Justin! Thank you for the video, was informative and relaxing to enjoy, learned much and referred your video to a friend of mine in the USA, Kristine Mirelle, an artist in CA who also dedicates her life to music, songwriting and performing. I hope you both connect and network. I love your work, thanks for making this.
Tell us something about other then your life as a musician. Maybe about your life in Tasmania and why did you leave Tasmania and how was your life in the uk and like what are your hobbies other then playing guitar etc. Would love to hear this kind of stuff aswell. Cheers!
Gr8 video. I've always been a tad reluctant to play live to an audience incase I mess up. I've got a set of songs that I can play competently & am often encouraged to do open mike sessions in pubs, but need to 'take the plunge' as it were. It's good to hear that its not just me who has these feelings.
DEE GEE open mic nights are great fun.. i used to do them with my acoustic stuff in a pub in sidcup yrs ago...nobody judges u as good/bad..everyones there to have fun. In fact there used to be 2 guys turn up regularly playing kettles and toasters as instruments haha..its a good way to start live playing
As soon as I let my dog Jed off the retractable lead in Epping Forest he ran off - twice - after herds of deer. Just had to go home and wait for someone to phone the number on the collar. Interesting chat Justin and good to know I'm not the only one who forgets what song I'm playing halfway through!
The way I've overcome redlight fever is to practise and practise your set till you know it inside out and then when it comes to gig or recording day keep your thoughts simple just think of One thing only mine isTo think of my left thumb position on the neck
Hi Justin... you are one of the most important parts of my guitar journey and I thank you immensely for that and these walks in the woods. Wonderful hearing about your past and insights. I wonder if you might mention the various guitars you've had along your journey. I know you've mentioned a few of them but some stories of how you came about them would be very interesting. Either way, thanks for all you do.
Hey Jusin, you never talked about "posing", tipps for practising standing upright..., I mean it's a big difference between playing when sitting and standing on a stage...
Not sure any of this helps..... but just knowing that even professionals such as yourself suffer the same symptoms from time to time somehow makes me feel much better Lol Nice talk/dog walk Justin, thanks.
