Playing the saxophone Stage Fright

[not a perfect sax player]

I've been following this thread, @not a perfect sax player, and I have another angle. I was a stand-up comic for 10 years. Talk about scary! Once you've done that, nothing else seems frightening. What helped me get through it was when I realized that no matter what happened, I could handle it.

Now, changing to music, I started filling in and playing in a college big band after playing for about a year. I felt like a fraud. But because of my background, I wasn't scared. I am much more confident now after 8 years of playing, but I accept the fact that I have never played through an entire gig without making a mistake. I accept that the mistakes will happen, but I know that I will not make the BIG mistake that brings the band to a screeching halt. Whatever happens, I can handle it.

I solo frequently. Sometimes my solos are not all that good. But I always get a polite smattering of applause. If I play something pretty good, bigger applause. I listen to the recording, note what sounded good, and learn from what didn't. You can do this. Take the advice all of these terrific saxophonists have given you, and run with it. You got this, Vern!

Hi there, Thanks so much for the encouraging words, yes I couldn't think of anything worse than standing in front of people and trying to make them laugh. Having said that Les Dawson used to play the Piano badly and everyone thought it was hilarious, so maybe I could try that with the Saxophone, who knows?
Seriously though thank you very much for taking the time to answer the thread.
Cheers Vern.

 

[not a perfect sax player]

Let me share another perspective learned from playing in bands for half a century - time matters as much or more than nailing each note. If you aspire to play in a group, you need to learn to keep going even after you fluff a note. That one is gone. It matters more that you stay in the context of the tune, maintain flow, and nail the next phrase. If you cannot do that, then break down the bits that present a challenge and work them out. Better to play slow and accurately, rather than rush and develop a habit of feeling like you're always falling headlong. And you know what? You can play musically at any tempo.

Hi Dr G, I fully agree with what you are saying and am working very hard to overcome the issue. I am getting better but as with anything to do with music, it doesn't come easy and getting past the feeling that it must be completely right, for me is incredibly difficult, however I will beat it!
Once again thanks very much for taking the time to answer.

 

[not a perfect sax player]

Also, if you keep in time a wrong note from a part might still work with the harmony, but out of time is always very noticeable. And you lose your place if you don’t keep going too.

Hi Pete, yes that is very true, I've found that when I play a wrong note sometimes it doesn't notice too much, but as you say being out of time does notice.
Cheers Vern.

 

[not a perfect sax player]

Time matters more than nailing each note. Both are important but especially from the outside perspective, I rather play with somebody who plays in time than someone who hits the right notes at the wrong time.

Yes I try my best to work with keeping in time by learning tunes with backing tracks and using a speed shifter to slowly build up the speed when I'm getting to grips with a new tune.
Thanks for the advice
Vern.

 

[jazzdoh]

Pity so many buskers do.
There’s one local one that always pretends he’s just warming up, plays a few notes, stops looks at the sax, fiddles with reed, few more notes etc. and fools still give him money.

I didn't even know you knew me.

@not a perfect sax player There some great answers above, without doubt playing with other musicians will give you the confidence to go forward and the more you play in front of people the easier it will get.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Bear in mind that some never get over stage fright. They either perform in spite of it or in some cases pack it in.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Bar work helped me get over teenage self concious shyness.

 

[Dr G]

Hi Dr G, I fully agree with what you are saying and am working very hard to overcome the issue. I am getting better but as with anything to do with music, it doesn't come easy and getting past the feeling that it must be completely right, for me is incredibly difficult, however I will beat it!
Once again thanks very much for taking the time to answer.

Hey Vern,

Be aware that you don’t have to “beat” the compulsion to get it right. Use it for good. Let hyperfocus and a desire for perfection aid your practice, but learn to not let it take away your joy. How? Let yourself notice when you do something better, and pause to enjoy it. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small, e.g. “Hey, I just did something that I couldn’t do last week!”

 

[not a perfect sax player]

Hi Dr G, yes I think that's what I love about practice, working on something that from the outset seems impossible and then slowly getting to master it.
I find that when I do something, if it doesn't challenge me, I tend to get bored with it. That's never going to happen with music though, I just wish I started learning years ago.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Vern.

 

[not a perfect sax player]

Bear in mind that some never get over stage fright. They either perform in spite of it or in some cases pack it in.

Hi Colin, something's are worth fighting for and I'm determined to beat the nerves and progress. Quitting will be the very last resort.
Cheers Vern.

 

[Ghr9204]

Hi Colin, something's are worth fighting for and I'm determined to beat the nerves and progress. Quitting will be the very last resort.

That's a spirit of a fighter. 😉

Dress rehearsals, practicing before a mirror, etc. are good. But I learned that only one thing will overcome stage fright. That is doing something in front of people. Why do you think comedians have no problems getting before people and trying new things in their act, some which win over the audience, others that don't? They've done it many times before people. No doubt they practiced their skit off stage, but once they got it down, gave a show to their audience.

Make a mistake? It is not as worse as you think. We all make mistakes. I've learned, move past the boo-boo and continue playing. Chances are, they won't remember it at day's end.

I was in the same shoes as you in college 50 years ago. A young man just out of the military service. Yes, played before audiences in the Army Bands, with my music homey's around me. This is a different comfort zone. Yes, an occasional solo, but still in the group. But I was never "in the spot light".

Out of college come work early 1980's. After I gained a few years experience, then was required to represent our section in meetings, give slide presentations at times even standing in for my supervisors. I got better over a short time that they or the lead not longer attended the meetings, allowed them to get other things done. Toward the end of my career, was giving presentations to upper leadership, bureau heads, etc.

Since latter 1980's, led music worship as a keyboardist on a weekly basis in various smaller churches with attendances up to 150 people. Smallest a dozen.

I look back when I started college in the mid 1970's. I was at the same place as you, same timidity. Consider it a lifetime walk, learn to step out of your comfort zone. Give yourself 10, 20 years, then look back. You will be amazed at the growth and maturity you've attained.

Good luck! -- George

 

[GCinCT]

Dress rehearsals, practicing before a mirror, etc. are good. But I learned that only one thing will overcome stage fright. That is doing something in front of people. Why do you think comedians have no problems getting before people and trying new things in their act, some which win over the audience, others that don't? They've done it many times before people. No doubt they practiced their skit off stage, but once they got it down, gave a show to their audience.

This is coming from someone who made his living as a comic for a decade. First, a common mistake. They are not "skits." A skit is a short play between two or more people. It's your act, and each individual part is a bit.

Also, you are right, in that, time on stage gets you more comfortable. However, practicing your act offstage is worthless. That's what's so hard about stand-up. There are no rehearsal halls, no practice rooms, and no off-stage lessons. The only way to learn and improve is on stage in front of an audience.

Sorry to be a bit pedantic. Comics and how we do things are often misunderstood. 😉

 

[Ghr9204]

Comics and how we do things are often misunderstood.

That is why we have mimes. 😉

someone who made his living as a comic for a decade.

In the working world they are called, "engineers". 😉 In managing projects, one needs to have a good sense of humor. I have "defused" situations by using it. 😉

 

[not a perfect sax player]

That's a spirit of a fighter. 😉

Dress rehearsals, practicing before a mirror, etc. are good. But I learned that only one thing will overcome stage fright. That is doing something in front of people. Why do you think comedians have no problems getting before people and trying new things in their act, some which win over the audience, others that don't? They've done it many times before people. No doubt they practiced their skit off stage, but once they got it down, gave a show to their audience.

Make a mistake? It is not as worse as you think. We all make mistakes. I've learned, move past the boo-boo and continue playing. Chances are, they won't remember it at day's end.

I was in the same shoes as you in college 50 years ago. A young man just out of the military service. Yes, played before audiences in the Army Bands, with my music homey's around me. This is a different comfort zone. Yes, an occasional solo, but still in the group. But I was never "in the spot light".

Out of college come work early 1980's. After I gained a few years experience, then was required to represent our section in meetings, give slide presentations at times even standing in for my supervisors. I got better over a short time that they or the lead not longer attended the meetings, allowed them to get other things done. Toward the end of my career, was giving presentations to upper leadership, bureau heads, etc.

Since latter 1980's, led music worship as a keyboardist on a weekly basis in various smaller churches with attendances up to 150 people. Smallest a dozen.

I look back when I started college in the mid 1970's. I was at the same place as you, same timidity. Consider it a lifetime walk, learn to step out of your comfort zone. Give yourself 10, 20 years, then look back. You will be amazed at the growth and maturity you've attained.

Good luck! -- George

Hi George, thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. As you rightly say it's all about making uncomfortable situations feel comfortable.
I shall make a point of playing in front of a few friends on a more regular basis (don't expect them to remain friends for long though) and I'm sure that will make the situation feel more normal.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the thread.
Cheers Vern.

 

[Woodpad]

In the working world they are called, "engineers". 😉 In managing projects, one needs to have a good sense of humor. I have "defused" situations by using it. 😉

This reminds me of what an engineer once said in a discussion on problem solving. Shall we do something about it or shall we make it a project?

 

[Ghr9204]

Shall we do something about it or shall we make it a project?

I don't know about that, but I knew of a group of engineers in another department that when things went wrong, they used the time to do "blame-storming". (Sort of a flip on "brain-storming", finding someone to blame rather than owning up to the error and fixing it.)

 

[GCinCT]

In the working world they are called, "engineers". 😉 In managing projects, one needs to have a good sense of humor. I have "defused" situations by using it. 😉

Yes, humor is an excellent way to break tension and defuse many situations. It's one of the greatest things we can do for each other.