How to Overcome Performance Anxiety & Stage Fright

In this Dog Walks & Guitar Talks episode, I get stuck into musician anxiety problems and give you all the tips I can think of to help you overcome it! You're not alone and sharing your experinces in the comments below might really help people! You can beat performance anxiety, get over stage fright and ignore the red light fever.

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[logopneumatika]

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.

[donald-parker]

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.

[chesapeake]

These dog walks are your best videos. Very relaxing, entertaining and insightful.

[jakestewartmusic]

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.

[shonshamuratov]

Thank you for sharing Justin! It takes a strong man to admit their weaknesses and even stronger man to share it with the world. You are inspiring!

[tomquayleguitar]

Fantastic video with some superb advice, Justin. I'm just getting into the mindfullness thanks to Sam Harris. So useful.

[jmwise]

This video makes me appreciate guitar more. It’s so fun.

[JohnOhkumaThiel]

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.

[acousticm]

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!

[nostaticatall]

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. ;-)

[woldsweather]

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.

[evaskoklamut]

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.

[clemp]

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

[scottrolf]

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.

[jockojohn]

Accidents" The Bob Ross philosophy Justin/Ross approach :)

[David-ufxi]

What excellent sound advice this video contains...not just for gigs....but for a much wider field of daily living

[daleleslie]

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.

[custom.]

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.

[HC_GUITAR]

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!!!

[GoonerBuller]

Beautiful forest, these guitar walk and talks are great and really relaxing. Hope it becomes a regular feature on the channel.