#4 that's the one huh ? I feel you on that fellas  .  I'm getting there my self 
 
Thought I may bring up a couple of things that I feel could be contributing factors along the lines of the topic  ...
We are all individuals , so I will preface this with I'm just stating my opinion ...
 
I'm gonna change my point of view in this discussion from stage fright to stress ...
I have to approach it that way because  as I mentioned before I generally have a general acceptance that the butterfly's are my friend and they OK ....
 
Stress concerning all that leads up to the performance itself on the other hand can have debilitating effects ...
As a rule , I'm actually relieved to be setting my stuff up once I finally hit the stage ...
 
I was playing out sporadically up until about 2 1/2 years ago and here's a few things I've had to contend with ...
How safe is this place I'm Playing ?
Is there a private area where I can keep my gear safe while the other band is on ? or do I have to bring my guitar in the bathroom every time I need to take a piss ?
Do they have parking and an area where I can unload my gear ? or do I have to park 3 or 4 blocks away and schlep my whole rig by foot through the ghetto  ?
Do they have any accommodation whatsoever for the talent where I can chill out in private and find my center ? or do I have to sit there and listen to some dude that forgot to take his meds right before I set up .
How much driving do I have to do to get to the Gig ? Are they gonna pay me so I can be able to get gas to get home ?
I've had it happen where I was so broke I drove my Jalopy 2hours plus with only enough gas to get to the gig ....
 
The people I'm playing with ..whats the deal on them ? Have I played with them before ? or is this the first time ...
Do they have integrity ? are they honest ? Would I trust them with my life or my gear ?
Are they gonna pay me what they said ? or are they gonna tell me a different story when I get there .
Does the place have a stage ? a sound man ? security , or am I gonna be playing in a club that only has a dance floor that doubles as a stage / dance floor ...
I played one place local to me where I have had drunk people that thought they had dance moves  sliding into my pedal board and amp with as much gusto as a world series run on home plate ...
One time a lady tripped into the mic stand and the singer who was sitting because he was also playing keys literally had the mic slam into his mouth .....
How righteous is the owner of the club / establishment ? Does he or she do promotion for the shows? does he not ...
Is he or she  one of these guys/ gals  that think you need the exposure so they can pay you short money or get you to play for free ? or is this a solid cat that can find ways to keep making it worthwhile to the band as the ball starts picking up and his club is full while his competitors clubs are empty on the nights when the band your in is playing ...
I haven't had a drink or done any drugs in 33 years once  August 12 come's , ODAT....
Is the club offering the band free booze as part of the payment ? that sure don't work for me ....
Is the band running a tab ? that also sure don't work for me ....
 
Any way I could go on and on ..which I won't ..I think we all get the Idea ....
It is my opinion that some of the side issues I 've brought up get lumped in and contribute to a lot of stress and anxiety ...that could contribute to stage fright ....
 
all the best,
 
Kenny 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 

Very good points Kenny.
 
You reminded me of one particular pub gig where we turned up to be greeted at the door by 4 or 5 evil looking guys.
 
''You the band? You better be good, or you're ******* dead''
 
Concentrates the mind, that kind of thing.

Jeff Evans
Rehearsals don't have to be about the notes at all.  That is practice.  On your own.  Rehearsals can be totally about the performance itself with all the nuances and detail and emotion.  I have witnessed some nice music being played in rehearsal.  And thinking wow, pity no one else heard that.
 
I think the trick  is what Danny is saying too.  Once you really start to get into it, you start to feel good, and excited, not scared anymore.  Then your playing can go through the roof.
 
On the other side of the subconscious mind stuff, you can really start to imagine and believe amazing things as well, not just say bad things not happening, and then the amazing things start to happen too.  But you do need three things though.  Repetition, faith and expectancy.
 
If you suffer stage fright it is because you have told your subconscious mind that so it makes it happen.  Change your thoughts and you change your destiny.  This is Joseph Murphy now, not me, but I have applied the principal and I am convinced it works.  Craig I am glad you and others are interested in this as well.  It is fascinating stuff.

This reminds me of the many, many CG'ers who have tried to crack the performance anxiety nut.  Aaron Sherer had this formula that basically turned into a cult, as did others.  The truth is, if you struggle seek out professionals, either MD's or Phd's and talk it through.  Important point:  your TEACHERS generally will not help you.  1.  because often they are competing against you (unconsciously or otherwise, esp in the CG world) and 2. they often are unanalyzed themselves.  Go outside of your usual network..to groups like AA or others.  THOSE are the helpful places, far removed from music itself.  My two cents!!!!

Every time I happened to help friends setup at a new place (or was playing roadie) I would always take an outlet tester and check the power receptacles.  All you need is for one to be wired backwards to not only screw up gear, but it could be potentially fatal if someone plugged in to one socket touches another person plugged in to the wired backwards socket.
 
You ought to clean up that list and make it into a nice "Kenny's Gigging Tips" sheet! 

I forgot to mention for the introverted and geeky musicians:  theology and philosophy helps alot.  If you can spend some time conversing with the saints you'll be better for it.

Just put down the Kool-Aid and back away from the TV eph! 

eph221
I forgot to mention for the introverted and geeky musicians:  theology and philosophy helps alot.  If you can spend some time conversing with the saints you'll be better for it.

As a life long student of philosophy and religion, currently way over my head into the study of Judaism, I beg to differ. If anything, it only makes me more of a recluse (if that's actually possible). But then, I'm an extreme case of geek-ism, too.

I wonder if there's a new genre in there someplace?  Gothic Geek Metal maybe?  

craigb
I wonder if there's a new genre in there someplace?  Gothic Geek Metal maybe?  

The "goth" people I am friends with are often "intellectuals", bookish people. I remember a writer referring to the Goth culture as some odd kind of offshoot of the old existentialist movement, which I thought held some truth. At least with the old school goths.
 
But then there's also a whole scene of people wearing latex and gas masks and suspending themselves from meat hooks who can hardly spell their name but call themselves goths too... Me, I'll stick with books and candles.

I could never be part of the Goth scene, but I do love most of the music!
 
My preferred room is large, high up (for a great view of some country-side, mountain, meadows and lake) with lots of windows and mostly white with color added.
 
And this is the type of house I wouldn't mind having!  (I doubt you would see many Goths in this!).