How to Deal with Stage Fright for Guitarists

Hey guys,

Before I start up on the lesson, I have a small question for you. What do you think is the most versatile guitar from the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul Standard? Comment or mail me your answer.

Today I thought of putting up a post that I think will truly benefit most guitarists who play for bands. Even the beginners who have to play in front of a small crowd of friends can take a lot from this. Everyone has to deal with stage fright. Before a performance, I usually get a little jittery and whether you are a pro or an amateur guitarist you still get a little cold before your first performance onstage. So todays lesson will be on how to conquer stage fright or playing in front of a crowd in general.

Here are a few tips that helped me deal with my stage fright that I think will help you deal with yours.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The main point to remember in this regard is to make sure to practice your material in and out. Be completely fluent with it. This will help you build up confidence in yourself so to think that “I can do this, I’m not going to mess this up, I will conquer this”. So make sure to practice otherwise that confidence won’t show onstage.

DON'T MAKE IT OBVIOUS THAT YOU MESSED UP

Even if you do mess up while improvising a solo and playing some notes, drop out for a second, groove to the music, then come back when you feel confident. Most non-musicians won’t note that, so it’s like nothing ever happened. Otherwise you will just keep flopping notes so that it’s obvious that you’re messing up.

HOW TO HANDLE THE CROWD

At the start of your performance at whatever gig, don’t look at the crowd during the first few minutes. If you make eye contact with people just as you get on, it will make you even more nervous. After you start easing in to your groove, then start making eye contact with people. Till then, just move around grooving to the music, face another band member and just rock with them for while. BUT DON'T COMPLETELY IGNORE THE CROWD IN THE STARTING FEW MINUTES ALSO!!

When you gain confidence and begin to properly face the crowd, don’t make direct eye contact (not at the very beginning that is). Focus at a point like the back of the crowd until you get the confidence to make eye contact and involve the crowd in the music.

Even so, the MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is to just HAVE FUN. Don’t just stand scared onstage. Enjoy it. This will help you the most in dealing with your stage fright.

Cheers guys, hope this helps all the guitarists who play in bands and even the beginners who have to play in front of a small crowd of friends,

Visal.

Guitar Fun Fact of the Day!!
Leo Fender couldn't play the guitar. He was a saxophonist.