jamesg1213
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Pedro, how did you get Craig's log-in?
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It's just weird for me to be reading this stuff. Working as a director for a long time, the one thing that one comes across all the time is the stage fright thing, and the other bit is the "lock ups" by actors who all of a sudden can not remember their lines or what they are doing.
In music, it might not be that far, or different, at all. My thoughts have always been that the exercises and work that is done in rehearsal, is the difference, not the performance itself.
If you, in my book, are having issues going onstage, you are not rehearsed enough, or properly, and the thought, usually is (by theater folks) that you are in the wrong place, or you would work harder on making sure that you are prepared and ready for the performance, which is what the whole things is about. AND, above all, there is no chance for a "warm-up" once the show starts, and you do not want to lose the audience within 5 minutes, because it is poring and perfunctory, and not exciting! Start with a good bang, and get it better, or the show will suffer!
This is a "private" observation, by myself, over the years. Most of the people that were having issues with stage anything, were people that probably should not be there, for various reasons, and usually, their desire is bigger than their libido, so to speak. And thinking they can manufacture that desire after a few this and that!
Staging, be it music or theater, or film, is not as much about desire, as it is about how you apply yourself to the work you are doing. If you do not believe in it 1000%, it is not going to be as good, and this is an issue with many bar bands. You can tell the players that are good and bad, within 3 minutes, or one song!
As I like to say, give yourself a chance, and be ready. This does not mean you know your stuff, but also know the other stuff, like what the other musicians are doing, so you can work together with them and help cover/recover and hide the small errors here and there, and smooth out those moments into oblivion -- something that an audience, often does not see, specially in original music. If you are worried about yourself, and some physical this and that, GET HELP, because that stuff is eating away a large part of your ability, even if it goes away after 5 minutes ... those first 5 minutes will blow your ability when it comes to many previews, and chances to impress so be able to get a better piece of work, or even (at worst) to become a much needed and prepared musician all over town to cover everything from A to Z.
I think that most folks know their part well (no issue there!), but how well do you know how you blend with the other folks? I'm willing to bet that most issues are in this part, not what you already know.