admin Musicians are vulnerable when performing on stage, no matter their music genre. Live performances are a time when emotions can run high for many musicians. There’s so much at stake. If things are going well and there is a strong connection between fans and listeners, emotions fuel the energy and make the show more enjoyable. Negative emotions, perceptions and attitudes can ruin shows when they get out of control. How to prevent your negative emotions from ruining a performance
Expectations can be tempered.
Expectations that are too high can lead to disappointment and a poor show. If you are a musician who is serious enough to create music or book shows, it is safe to say that you have a lot to lose. Making mistakes on stage can be very discouraging and play to an empty audience. However, allowing negativity to take over will only make matters worse. You will be worse off if you try to ruin a show. When you think about stage fright, you often think about anxiety or nerves, but often the precursor to nerves is confusion or chaos. When our thoughts are scattered, when we are rushing around, when we don’t feel centred, it’s almost impossible to feel confident. And often, this can lead to stage fright right before a performance or a big meeting.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a performance error or an unreceptive audience. Shows rarely go smoothly. This is why you need to be realistic about your expectations and limit the time you spend on stage.
Get out of your head.
Negativity can be caused by obsessing about mistakes, crowd size/reception and sound problems. This directs your energy and thoughts inward, not outward, which can cause you to focus on your performance. You don’t want to perform live in front of an audience. This is why practice is important. The performer is there for the benefit of the listener. Getting stuck in your head can cause you to lose the connection with those listening. You have to learn to let go of negative emotions and move on when they don’t go in your direction. This can be difficult if you are introverted, nervous, or emotional. However, it would be best if you learned to let go of the negativity that may come your way.
Have fun
For some musicians, this may seem like silly advice, but it is vital. Music is a hobby that many people enjoy. However, if we allow disappointments and unfulfilled expectations to get in the way of our enjoyment, it can cause us to lose our joy. You are performing live music for an audience. But if you don’t enjoy it, it won’t be worthwhile. It can be tempting to blame the crowd or your bandmates for being serious musicians. But this will only lead to big problems. You’ll connect with your audience and avoid negativity if you allow pure joy to be the main focus of your performances.
