Performing a song in front of one person can be scary, but imagine more than one; imagine twenty people; better yet, can you imagine one hundred people in a room listening to you? You being front and centre, everyone stops what they’re doing, so you’re given their undivided attention; it’s incredible, right? But at the same time, it’s scary; it’s so scary, it’s any wonder how someone can do that.
There’s the fear of public speaking, but playing an instrument- better yet, singing at the same time, is like a two-in-one when it comes to how daunting it is. Concerts are incredible, but for the performer, it can be easily seen why it can be scary. But overall, while it’s challenging, you can do it. You can beat them and have the crowd going wild. So, here is how you can mentally prepare for your first gig!
Visualize Yourself on Stage
One thing you should start doing before you wonder “How to become a session musician” would be how to even perform in front of people, getting over that fear, that barrier. So, one of the most effective ways to do this is to visualise yourself on stage from a first-person perspective. Generally speaking, you can count on this will help you get a better feel for the space that you’ll be performing in and make it seem more real and attainable to you.
Can You Make it to The Venue Early?
If you’re able to do this, it might help, but of course, there might be some factors to think about, such as even being allowed to get to the venue before the designated time (as sometimes they’re closed until the evening). So, if you can, why not try and visit the venue ahead of time (if possible) so that you can walk around and get a feel for it? This will also give you a chance to test out your stage banter with trusted friends and see what works and what needs improvement before you go for your performance.
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s overdone, but there is so much truth behind this though! Just try to practice in front of people. If you can’t handle ten people, then can you handle an actual gig? Start small, just one person, then a couple, and then more. You need to do this, as this is going to get you accustomed. Not only people you know and trust but strangers too. Concerts are 99% strangers. So practicing with small groups of strangers, like a birthday party, for instance, can help a lot.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Performing for a live audience can be very stressful, especially your first gig. You have to deal with new elements like bright lights, monitors, and your bandmates’ backs to you, the crowd, and more. Figure out ahead of time what you can and can’t control before the show so that you can focus on what matters most: your performance.
If you get stage fright, it’s important to acknowledge it and remind yourself that it is completely normal. Then you can engage in calming activities such as breathing exercises, focusing on the air filling your lungs, or whatever else works for you. It’s also essential to have a good night of sleep before the performance, as tiredness and stress are not a great combination
Be Prepared to Improvise
For many musicians, booking their first gig feels like a Catch-22. You need to prove you can capture a room’s attention in order to get gigs, but you can’t get any gigs until you have proven that ability. The best thing to do is take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s ok to make mistakes. It is not uncommon for a first performance to not go exactly how you planned it. Improvising sometimes needs to happen, like if the drummer can’t make it to the gig or maybe the crowd is chanting for a certain song. You need to entertain while at the same time not making a fool out of yourself; overall, it’s a bit of a challenge.
Embrace Feedback
As mentioned before, you should practice around people you know and small groups of strangers too. During these small performances, try to take in some feedback. Overall, during your rehearsals, try to find some honest feedback from friends and family especially. It will help you feel prepared and confident enough to mount the stage. Getting feedback before the show will also allow you to test out your stage banter and ideas with people who care about you. This will ensure that you will be ready to give a great performance.
You Need to Have a Positive Attitude
When you’re doing anything stressful, especially something where all eyes are on you, you’re going to especially need to hold onto a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude is important. It is not helpful to dwell on what could go wrong during the show. It’s not just a waste of time, but it can actually ruin your performance. The worst thing you can do is let your fears get the better of you.
Remember that the people paying to see you are your fans, and they want to have a good time. It would be a shame to disappoint them by letting your nerves get the best of you and ruining your gig. Don’t see them as fans? That’s fine too, but they want to see you; they want you to entertain them; this alone is a lot of validation.
Avoid Eye Contact on Stage
While it feels magical eye-locking with a performer, especially one you adore, since it’s like they’re acknowledging your existence, it takes a while to get to that point as a performer to have that amount of confidence. Keeping eye contact with the audience can help establish a connection, but this can be challenging for many new performers. If looking at the faces of the crowd makes you feel uncomfortable, try breaking your gaze to make a gesture or to nod. This can appear more natural than looking down or away, which could convey a lack of confidence.
