Do you get pre-show Jitters? Bad ones?

[Jerry Derr]

I play oldies-but-goodies on the lap steel guitar and I play my hour long set at several senior living facilities in the area. After a lot of hard work, I can perform at these events without any nervous shaking. However, when I play at the local music school's open mic night, my hands are seriously shaking and I feel like I barely have the strength or control to get the steel to make contact with the strings. I have some new hand exercises for pre-performance but I am considering wearing wrist weights. What is going on in my hands are tremors. Nervous tremors. Has anyone had experience with this in the past or am I a pioneer? Aesthetically, I'm fine wearing the weights while I perform. They might get in the way but I'll try. The thumb strap won't work. Just wrists. Thank you!

[Bill McCloskey]

Have you tried beta blockers?

[Michael Kiese]

I second the beta blocker idea.

Go see a doctor and describe your issues. A doctor may be able to prescribe some beta blockers.

I think it’s natural to be a bit nervous. Performing in front of a live audience is exciting. But what you describe sounds excessive.

Perhaps also consider deep breathing and meditation exercises. They work.

[Jerry Derr]

Have you tried beta blockers?

Beta Blockers are on my radar now. I'd heard of them but never for this. I'll look into it. Thank you, Bill!

[Nathan Laudenbach]

My advice would be to play the open mic enough times that you don’t get the jitters anymore. Most of the people sitting in the audience at the open mic are not as good as you, or too nervous to actually sit up there and play. I would be worried that playing with wrist weights would be bad for my wrists.

[Tim Whitlock]

Pre-performance keys for me are 1) preparation - practice every day. Even if you can only get in 30 minutes, continuity is crucial. 2) Warm up before leaving for the show and make sure you are plugged into an amp. Some quiet warm up at the venue will help as well.

[Jerry Derr]

I second the beta blocker idea.

Go see a doctor and describe your issues. A doctor may be able to prescribe some beta blockers.

I think it’s natural to be a bit nervous. Performing in front of a live audience is exciting. But what you describe sounds excessive.

Perhaps also consider deep breathing and meditation exercises. They work.

I appreciate that Michael. I'm looking into beta blockers and have meditations and hand excercises lined up.

[Andy Volk]

Another vote for Beta Blockers. Back in my corporate days years ago, I used to get horrible fight or flight from public speaking. I told a video client doctor about it and he said get beta blockers right away, the whole Boston symphony is on them. They take away the physical reaction.

[Michael Kiese]

Another vote for Bets Blockers. Back in my corporate days years ago, I used to get horrible fight or flight from public speaking. I told a video client doctor about it and he said get beta blockers right away, the whole Boston symphony is on them. They take away the physical reaction.

Andy, you’re kidding me! The whole Boston Symphony is on Beta Blockers? How do you know this?

[Bill McCloskey]

read this. Take it for what it is worth

"Studies indicate that beta-blocker use among classical musicians, particularly orchestral musicians, is not uncommon. One survey from 2016 found that 72% of musicians had used beta-blockers at some point, a significant increase from a similar survey in 1987"

[Michael Kiese]

read this. Take it for what it is worth

"Studies indicate that beta-blocker use among classical musicians, particularly orchestral musicians, is not uncommon. One survey from 2016 found that 72% of musicians had used beta-blockers at some point, a significant increase from a similar survey in 1987"

I was unaware that their use was so prevalent and widespread. 72% is an overwhelming majority in any demographic.

At this point, as a classical musician, one is at a competitive disadvantage if you DON’T use beta blockers. Anything to win an audition, I guess.

[Jerry Derr]

My advice would be to play the open mic enough times that you don’t get the jitters anymore. Most of the people sitting in the audience at the open mic are not as good as you, or too nervous to actually sit up there and play. I would be worried that playing with wrist weights would be bad for my wrists.

Thanks Nathan. Re: wrist weights, I'm wondering if there's sweet spot in weight that I get help but don't feel impeded. The wrist weights is a brand new consideration and I may abort before I purchase anything. My personal project is to come back to the open mic night every month it's that it's offered and keep chipping away at the shakes. I may be closer to success than I realize. I'm hellbent on getting beyond it. Thanks again!

[Paul Seager]

The symptoms described are extreme and perhaps medication is necessary. To the comments on "classical musicians" and their nerves, I'll add that I have two nieces, one English, one German, both studying orchestral instruments with sights on a career in that direction.

One element of both of their curriculums that surprised me is the "Alexander" technique. It's for both posture and nerves. I hadn't really thought about this until I read this thread and I have neither experience nor evidence that it would work for Jerry.

I do however, have experience of using Autogenic Training and I openly tell friends to learn and practice this to combat nervousness and more importantly, stress. It was recommended (actually forced on me) by my doctor after I experienced a panic attack in a taxi, driving between airports in Paris! Too much business travel, booze, lousy diet and far too little sleep!

It is easy to learn, not time consuming and has all-round benefits to one's mental and physical wellbeing. I do use it when trying to focus or calm nerves. "Anything that avoids medication is worth trying" - that's a quote from my doctor btw!

[Bill McCloskey]

Actually the Alexander Technique, in my experience, is one of the main exercises used to combat carpal tunnel. i knew many people who spent long hours on the computer who got carpal tunnel and used The Alexander Technique to improve their condition.

[Andy Volk]

The Boston Symphony story was told to me by a senior physician at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital who was also a classical violinist so I believe him. It's apparently not uncommon in the high pressure world of classical music.

[D Schubert]

Does not work for everyone, but I find that 1-2 shots of alcohol before I hit the stage does wonder for my calmness. More than that is self-defeating. It's an old strategy, but I'm old too.

[James P Mitchell]

I don’t, except for in rare situations. However, nerves show that you care about the performance is about to happen. I just try to embrace on the rare occasion they do show up. Remember, it’s just music… nothing that bad can happen!

[Michael Kiese]

Does not work for everyone, but I find that 1-2 shots of alcohol before I hit the stage does wonder for my calmness. More than that is self-defeating. It's an old strategy, but I'm old too.

Lol. I smoked weed right before a gig once. Never again.

I could tell in real time that I was sucking, but I was too high to do anything about it.

But the point is, I wasn't nervous.

[Gary Meixner]

Jerry,

Beta blockers are a useful medicine, usually prescribed by docs to treat high blood pressure and a variety of cardio vascular conditions. They help to regulate heart rhythm, lower your heart rate and open blood vessels along with slowing the release of adrenaline. As Andy indicated they are also prescribed to help with conditions such as yours.

I took them for many years to treat a medical condition and I have to say they definately helped me relax when performing in stressful situatios. They do come with side effects and I am sure your doc will go over these with you should they agree to prescibe them for you. For me they made me feel light headed and dangerously dizzy when abrouptly changing position such as getting out of the car. It became enough of an issue that I stopped using them and looked for other ways to treat my condition.

For occassional use you might have no side effects at all, and they really are helpful. Just beware, and make sure you now how they will effect you before hiiting the stage.

I usually work as sideman and rarely is the focus entirely on me when beginning a show. Still it can take me a few songs before I can relaxe and enjoy playing. What helps me, when begining a performance I make a conscience effort to listen carefully to my playing. To play very simple parts, focus particualrly on tone even to the point of holding a note or chord for a full measure or more and try to feel the music. Try not to rush. Once I am able hear myself and the notes settle in with the rest of the band I find I am able to work through most temporary anxiety that might occur.

I do front a trio from time to time and can feel a lot of pressure when opening the show. In this situation again I try to really focus on tone and how I blend with the other instrumnts - once you hear how beautiful you can make yourself sound it gets easier to relax into the music.

I wouldn't think that wrist weights would be much help, but it might be a way to trick your hands. I almost always play with fingerpicks and at time feel disconnected from the steel because of them. Sometimes I warm up first, without picks to help feel more connection with the instument. With a bar in one hand and picks on the other the guitars feels incredibly foriegn at times - playing, even just a little, without picks helps.

The good news is what you are experinecing is not a physical condition, but rather a physical reaction to something that you can learn to overcome. You are doing something you love, and it sounds like you are being brave and fighting through something that feels very difficult which means you are winning.

Best of luck,

Gary

[Andrew Roblin]

Hi, Jerry...
I've had essential tremor about 20 years.

Essential tremor progresses with age. It's hard to use small tools, like a screwdriver. If I hold a tea cup, it rattles. It can be hard to keep food on my fork. My handwriting tends to be very jagged, especially if I'm nervous.

If I'm comfortable, relaxed and playing in a setting I'm used to, I can play steel okay--though I hit the wrong string more than I'd like. Five-string banjo and guitar, which I play with a flatpick, are harder.

Anytime I'm nervous, the tremor is much worse. Caffeine also make my tremor worse.

I've worked with a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders for about 15 years and tried three different meds: Primidone, propronalol and gabapentin. Some people get good results with them. For me, they didn't work well and had unacceptable side effects. Alcohol doesn't reduce my tremor, though some people find it does.

In August, I'm getting a surgical procedure called focused ultrasound. In many people, it reduces tremor on one side by 70%--even five years later. There's a lot of info about it online.

[Mark Evans]

Weed works for me
And the smile ain’t illegal in most locations anymore

[Joe Cook]

I'm in the "smoke a joint" club. I've been doing that since 1974 and it always worked. I can do without as well but prefer weed. I've played a lot of gigs though so the jitters wore off a long time ago.

[Mark Evans]

I’m more a “Pack a PAX” herb vape kinda guy. (hopefully saves the lungs a bit). Seems to help with focus and reduce distraction and make stuff more yeah. !
Is that how beta blockers work?
Practice practice

[Cappone dAngelo]

If the issues are triggered by mental/emotional state, I recommend addressing that if possible rather than turning to medications or physical aids. Perhaps a local counsellor with experience in arts or sports psychology could help?

When I first started performing as kid, I would often get very nervous. After enough gigs - good/bad, sold out shows to empty rooms, well-rested to not having slept for days, sober to far from sober, warmed-up vs not having touched an instrument in weeks then walking onto stage and playing to an audience (rare … but has happened when travelling …) - I find that I now just look forward to performing and try to focus on having fun and making positive contributions to the music regardless of any other factors. I do find that I’m more successful at doing that when I’m more prepared (whatever that means for the particular gig - sometimes there is repertoire to prep, sometimes not ….), but once I’m on stage I just go for it and try to have fun.

I know it’s easier said than done, but I’ve witnessed many players reduce or eliminate performance anxiety just by working on their outlook/approach, including my own kids. My eldest is 14, and as a ballet dancer went from not having the composure/confidence to participate in a small class to performing the lead role for audiences of 1000+ in large commercial productions, with seemingly no anxiety. Now if I could just get her to clean her room …

[David DeLoach]

I remember the first time I played in front of people. It was a mighty gathering or about 10 folks in my college dorm TV room. My hands shook so badly that I could barely play.

Fast forward a few decades and I'm playing on live international TV for a President's first dance with the First Lady in front of a crowd of 33,000 and I was as cool as a cucumber.

What made the difference? Experience.

I have played thousands of gigs in my life, and I have made plenty of mistakes and experienced several musical train wrecks in my time. Yet, I'm still alive. I still have friends. And life goes on.

I realized that making a mistake - or a musical disaster - is ultimately not a big deal. I got to where I would laugh at myself when they occurred. If you and the band laugh it off, the audience will too. If you and that band act embarrassed and awkward, the crowd will too. When you are relaxed in your emotions, your hands and memory will be relaxed too, and you will find yourself playing better, improvising better, and making fewer mistakes.

So I got to the point over time where it did not matter if I was playing on the stage of The Grand Ol' Opry, playing with the Nashville Symphony at their glorious Schermmerhorn Symphony Center, or at Nashville's now defunct Wildhorse Saloon, I just pretend that I'm sitting on the couch in my grandma's house as a kid, playing music while my cousins run around ignoring me and no one cares if I'm perfect or not.

Also, there seems to be a phenomena where musicians can play a song really great when they are alone, but put them in front of people and the mind goes blank in places, or the fingers stumble around. I'd recommend this approach. First, practice a tune to where you can play it really well when by yourself. Then, bring in one person to play it for and do this repeatedly until you can play it well for one person. Then play it for a small group of family or friends - let them know you are just working on playing it in front of folks and laugh it off if you forget or stumble on part of the song. Doing this seems to help prepare you for playing in front of strangers.