[Black Sheep]

Ha... I just thought I'd mention here, I played my first flamenco show last night. It was great fun and I was muy awful... but I played in front of a (small) crowd... sure, they was several of us, but that's not the point. I did it...

Anyone like to tell us about the first time they sung, played or danced in front of strangers?

[Payul]

Congratulatons Black Sheep!

A big stap forward!

Performing under stress is very difficult.
I had lot of troubles with it, but developed a cure for myself.

My first time was ln a fully filled restaurant, ( 35 chairs ) Very noicy, very busy, but I mannaged it! Still play there every week..

Payul

[at_leo_87]

congrats blacksheep!

i've never played my own gig (a flamenco related one) but playing in front of people makes me really nervous.

i find that if i ignore them and just play for myself, it really works.

[DreadGod]

@Payul
What is your cure? I'm interested to know. For myself, I only find I calm down with repeated performances, if I haven't played for awhile, my hands start to shake again.

[Payul]

Hi Dreadgod,

Here I uploaded a little article I wrote about it.
Try it, I am pretty sure it will help you, if you go on a stage again after an experiance of shaking hands, you are a hero!

[DreadGod]

Hi Payul,

Wow man, that's an awesome article! I was practicing with your technique only today and immediately felt a difference in my playing here at home! I am very excited by this
; )
I have never played a full gig on my own, I just go strum sometimes at a couple open mic nights, the first time I was absolutely petrified. I have found my hands shaking only really affected my arpeggios, but my rasgueos, picados, alzapua, ayudado etc... I could usually keep under reasonable control. I will practice with your technique for a month or so and then hit the stage again. I'll let you know how it goes! I should be tearing out some nice chords then. Thanks!

[Payul]

Hi Dreadgod,

Let us now how it goes! You will make it!

Payul

[DreadGod]

Thank you!

[hobersmith]

I wasn't very old when I played my first gig in front of an audience(about 15). I think there were 20-something people and I started playing with the famous Asturias from Isaac Albeniz. After the first few chords I started to be tensed and scared of mistakes.

Needless to say I was sweating and shaking all the way and 10 minutes after that. I was really afraid to face those people again but they all told me I played great. So I figured they didn't really understand what I did wrong so after all there is no reason to be scared of an audience.

So years later here is my advice for you. Your audience is there to have a good time. They never care if you make a mistake or two, you aren't playing for any competition. Always start with your easiest song and finish with your hardest; this way you build up anticipation and it's also much easier for you to get used to playing in front of them. Epic finale is a very important thing, usually people remember the first and last piece/joke/thingie about a show, so save your best for last in order to make a lasting impression.

I have read Paul's idea and find it very useful; create your ritual that helps you relax (try doing yoga before your show, be creative). If you have a few things to set right before you start to play it shows high value to your audience, you need special conditions to play and you expect them to be silent while you're doing it.