It’s one thing to learn and play music for yourself at home, but performing the songs you’ve learned live is a much bigger task. Why is it we can play songs to perfection at home, but fail to produce the same result live or under pressure? How do we overcome these challenges?
The best method is exposure: adding a new set of challenges to your playing every practice. Learn to play in all sorts of environments, under different circumstances, and under the pressure of an audience. This is how you truly grow.
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6 Challenges to Prepare You for the Stage
I provided a list below of challenges to add to your practice routine. Add a different one to each practice, and when you feel confident, add two constraints at a time.
- Practice with your eyes closed or in the dark. Have you ever seen a live show? Often, stage lighting makes it impossible to see your fretboard. You need to rely on muscle memory.
- Record your playing. This adds a small amount of "first-take" pressure and allows you to catch mistakes you might not notice while playing.
- Play any live chance you get! This is the most crucial experience. You learn to handle the pressure of an audience and realize that if you make small mistakes, you just keep going. Most people won't even notice.
- Play with others as much as you can. This is an experience you can't replicate at home. You learn to build off each other, play in time, harmonize, control band dynamics, and solo with a live backing.
- Play in different climates. Not every show will be a perfect 70 degrees. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable by practicing in hotter or colder conditions.
- Stand up and move around. Look at live videos of your favorite artists. Do they stand still like a post, or do they engage the crowd? Practice moving around so it feels natural on stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is very common and happens because of adrenaline, nerves, and distractions from the live environment. The pressure of being watched changes your focus. The best way to overcome this is by simulating performance pressure in your practice, such as recording yourself or playing in front of friends.
The most effective method is gradual exposure. Start small by playing for a single family member or friend. Then, play for a small group. After that, try an open mic night. Each successful performance builds confidence and desensitizes you to the fear, making it easier to handle larger audiences.
Start with simple movements while playing something you know perfectly, like a basic chord progression. Begin by just tapping your foot in time. Then, try swaying slightly. Gradually progress to taking small steps. The key is to make the movement second nature so it doesn't distract you from your playing.
Conclusion
Practicing in these varied environments and performing live as much as possible will help you grow by leaps and bounds compared to practicing alone at home. If you don’t have anyone to play with, meet people at music stores or live shows. It’s all up to you and your goals.
This Article is written by Travis Osterloh @ Osterlohguitaracademy.com. See our website for more articles and inquiries!
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