Your first time playing a show

[kristen]

Hi everyone! I would like to hear about your first time playing a show. Where was it? Were you nervous? Did everything go smoothly? How did you feel afterward? I'm playing my first show next month, so I don't have a story... at least not yet. = )

[Drumsword]

My first show, I was scared to death and played very mechanical. I made a few mistakes and dropped a stick or two. I had only been playing 4 or 5 months. And the drummer at my church quit, and I was suddenly the new drummer. I was 15, and had been jamming with my mom for 4 or 5 months and was used to playing with someone, (She played piano) but afterwards I was relieved and almost passed out from relief..lol. But I was there every week (3 times a week) for the next 6 years.

[Nodiggie]

Well, can't say I really remember my first "show". I've been playing in Church most of my life. The biggest "show" or Gospel Singspiration was in Phonix AZ, over 16,000 in attendance. Yes, I was nervous but it went very well with no problems.

Here are my tips on shows:

Expect the worst as far as monitors and sound mix. KNOW YOUR MUSIC.

There is nothing more frustrating to be on a stage and not hear your lead instrument(s) and have a poor mix. Don't hesitate to kick the sound engineer until you have an acceptable mix in your monitors!

Be as confident in your abilities understanding your set.

Never stop playing, if your bass or guitar player gets lost, just keep the heartbeat, they will catch up. (hopefully).

I get nervous when I don't know the song(s) well enough to play them with confidence.

Yes, it is very typical to be nervous. But, knowing your music 100% from first note to last will help your confidence level.

Have fun and let us know how it all went down... :)

[7DaysToTheWolves]

My first show was at a Japanese festival called Akimatsuri.

I wasn't on my kit either, I had to play on some crummy Vex kit that another band was using, and the foot pedal was so loose you would've thought I couldn't do double-bass work on it (it was a single pedal too). But fortunately I was the better one off in the group due to our guitarist's amp not being nearly big enough for the distortion.

[Cephalic]

First show was with the elementary school concert band... I don't remember it. Heh.

First show behind a kit was in 7th grade with the school jazz band. I forget what the actual event was, I think it might've just been an assembly during school? Anyway, I played, no memorable mistakes or anything, and it went good I think.

First show with a band outside of school was AWESOME. I don't know how we did it, but we had a huge turn out. It was a small basement (literally) that basically served as a "bar" for people under (and over) 21, and where local bands could play. Well, people were standing outside because there wasn't enough room inside.The show went... mediocre, but it was our first show as a band so whatever. At the time, we all loved it and thought we did fantastic, and that's all that matters anyway.

[metal overlord]

My first show was at a school telent show in 2nd grade.
I was on drums, and for some reason I had no fright at all. I felt overjoyed to go on stage and play for 600+ people, we did the song "Sin City" by AC/DC.
For a bunch of 2nd graders, we kicked ass. I knew what I was doing, and I felt confident. That just drove me to play.

And I still play gigs, and I love playing for people. I just love the feeling of running out on stage, it's just an incredible feeling to play for all those people, the anxiety, the adreliline, just feels so damn good.

I don't know why, but I just love it. I have/had no stage fright, if anything I overpower my band in presence. Me bouncing around behind the drums and getting the crowd pumped.

Its just so much fun.

Trust me, just know your stuff, if you mess up, don't try to play it again, keep going. If the guitar and peeps get lost, keep playing.
And just enjoy it.

[kristen]

After reading everyones postings, I remembered that I have played before... just not behind a kit. The first time was actually my kindergarten graduation. I played a solo of yankee doodle and some other song I can't think of on the piano. I actually messed up halfway through the song, but I just took a couple seconds, and kept right on playing. That moment is so clear in mind though, the whole place was completely silent. I think I heard crickets chirping, and I got really hot and flushed. Then later I played violin in the orchestra at school and sometimes at church. I think those were a little eaiser though because I was with so many other instruments. I know that I'm going to be sooo nervous before our first show, so I just keep trying to practice the songs over and over so that I don't even have to think about it. Hopefully all will go well and there won't be any akward silences. = )

[caddywumpus]

KNOW YOUR MUSIC.



Your first time playing will be cake, but let me share why we need to heed the words of nodiggie...

I was 17, and a guitarist and bassist asked me to play drums for the talent show. I agreed and asked for a copy of the song, but they didn't have one picked out yet. They ended up picking it out at the last minute..."All Along the Watchtower". That wouldn't be bad at all, but I was a very green player (less than 6 months) and I'd never given Jimi Hendrix a listen. I played the gig with only two run-throughs of the song under my belt. I thought I did a great job...we didn't crash and burn, and I held a beat the whole time. Success!

Fast forward about 3 months...this girl that I was interested in introduces me to her father before we go out for the first time. He says that I look familiar, "Were you at the talent show?" I said that I was, proudly, and that I played drums on the Hendrix tune. His brows furrow as he looks at me in disbelief and shock. Evidently, he was a HUGE Hendrix fan, and had a disgust for "that drummer who butchered the song" brewing in the depths of his very soul for months now. She assured me that her dad had nothing to do with us not dating a second time, but I have my conspiracy theories...

[Wavelength]

I participated in a pop/jazz music retreat in 2004. It was a week-long stretch of intense studying and practicing (eight hours a day behind a kit... for a week...). I had played the drums for a bit over a year at that point and had very little band experience, so that was a huge kick in the derriere for me.

The retreat culminated in a big show. The participants were divided into smaller bands at the beginning of the week, and each band rehearsed a song -- ours was 'Long Train Running' by the Doobie Brothers. The venue was an old barn, updated with a nice stage with a good PA, monitors, lights, smoke and the whole shebang.

So, we walked the plank, one band after another, and while I was anxious to get on stage, I wasn't one bit nervous. Despite my lack of experience I knew we had the song down, and afterwards I knew I had to have more of the same...

The retreat was a huge turning point in my life. I had studied Finnish language and literature at a university for two years before realising my true love for music. Breathing, eating and living music 24/7 was very tough but at the same time very gratifying. It felt right, so I kept going with it.

And it still feels right.

[Garvin]

I was 14 and in a band with some older kids. Somehow we got booked to open on the main stage of a festival in Perry Michigan. Looking back on this now it’s hilarious but at the time I was sure that I was going to die. We spent the early part of the afternoon walking around, skateboarding, smoking cigarettes and generally being mischievous kids. The rest of the band was 16-17 years old, so I was kind of like the little brother of the group. When it was time for us to get on stage I was nervous. There were maybe a hundred people milling around. We were playing on one end of the main street which had been blocked off. I was less nervous about playing than I was about the behavior of my bandmates. They were smoking on stage. I clearly remember the bass player saying “hey kids smoke, its good for you”. Again, this is hilarious now, but at the time it was just blatantly antagonistic and did nothing to endear us to the townsfolk. We played probably five to eight songs. By the end, our on stage antics had drawn the ire of most of the audience. We were roundly booed, and as we left the stage a small crowd had gathered to “meet” us at the bottom. Again, I was fourteen and though I still didn’t know what it meant, I was a pacifist. My bandmates were not. To make a long story short, we were followed to our car and it became clear that someone was going to pay for our blatant irreverence. Finally, by some act of god, the police came and escorted us out of town. We were not invited back…

I’m 28 and happy to say I’ve still never been in a real fight.

[Jsk36]

I haven't yet, I get very nervous and worry too much...wayyyyyyyy too much.

[spleen]

I was 14 and in a band with some older kids. Somehow we got booked to open on the main stage of a festival in Perry Michigan.

Garvin, I grew up in a town just minutes away from Perry, MI -- small world sometimes, eh?

spleen

[Jalli]

My first show was 2 years ago, I was 13 or 14 and I had been playing drums for like 6 months.
I was really nervous before we played. I was not playing on my own kit but it was the same type (Pearl Forum). We played three songs and afterwards I wanted to just get back on stage and bang those drum some more! I always get a good feeling after a show.

[Class A Drummer]

First time was in 4th grade for our schools band performance. Pretty boring stuff. I dont remember it too cleary, but it was... basic.

[bonzolead]

First time jammin was when I set in with my dad's band at the Sailmaker lounge in Pontiac I was 7 years old at the time we did "Johnny B Goode" and "Tulsa Time" i'll never forget it and I remember my left leg shakin' so much my hi-hat was opening when I didn't. want it too LOL.that's one thing about dad he got me over my stagefright at a young age.thanks for bringing back a good memory.

Keep Swattin'
Bonzolead

[bonzolead]

I haven't yet, I get very nervous and worry too much...wayyyyyyyy too much.don't worry get out play and have a good time.

Bonzolead

[mlaponsky]

First gig I ever played I think was at a block party sort of thing. I'd only been playing like 3 or 4 months and I was 13 I think. I didn't do much of anything other than a couple simple rock beats and we only played a 5 song set because there were so many other bands there too, but I do remember that I was singing while playing which was really cool even if it did take away from my playing itself. It was awesome because we were basically right out on the street in front of store and it was pretty busy. It was a pretty great experience for a first gig even if I was freaking out before we went on.

[ddood]

My first time playing in front of real people was not on drums. I played trumpet in the 4th grade band and we played at a local high school football game as part of the pregame show they had. I was too young to know to be nervous. I stayed in band through my junior year in high school and played many more times. I played guitar in a couple small time garage bands and we had played at parties and such but that's about it. I always had a blast playing for people. I am currently playing drums in a band with my brother and hopefully soon we will be playing tight enough together to try to entertain some people!

My advice: HAVE FUN with it!

[kristen]

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up.

[Pavlos]

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up.

Aren't there always other drummers listening? That's what I plant in my mind whenever I play in front of people. Sounds strange but if I think that then I don't think about it so much. I also like to think that the other drummers out there would be someone I could relate to as well, not necessarily be in competition with. Everyone messes up sometimes right? Plus, they would be the only other person in the room who knows what it's like to sit where I'm sitting.

[kristen]

Thats true, I never thought of it that way. Thanks!

[RICHY-18]

For some reason i don't seem to get nervious! i am very much a live person.

i thhink i didnt feel nervious because i knew that my strong point was recovering well.

( having drummers in the audiance makes it more fun)

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up.

I actually get encouraged with this. All of the shows I've done in the last year (at least a couple of dozen - on the drums at least, probably a few more on the guitar) have been in front of other bands. I didn't get nervous because I was confident in my abilities on the kit and knew what I was doing. What was good is that afterwards I often got compliments from other people for my playing - if not for my playing, then they appreciated my 'sound' (at the time, lots of big cymbal (ride) crashes) and a high-pitched but powerful snare sound. This was in a heavy-ish band.

That's the other thing. Have something to identify you as a player. It's all very well being generic drummer number. 327, but if something stands out about your playing or sound, then you will get noticed - especially by other drummers. Try not to be a clone.

[bobdadruma]

Having musicians in the audience doesn't bother me. Other musicians know what its like to play live and they have also made mistakes. Once a long time ago I had someone heckle me, But he was just a drunk and his friends led him out soon afterwards. Funny thing is, I have received some of the best compliments on nights that I felt that I didn't play well. My first gig was in 1974. We played at a dance for the Emergency Medical Technicians in the town that I lived in back then. Our hit song of the eve was The Baby Elephant walk. They all laughed and danced to it. I have never forgot it! So just stay loose and don't worry about it.

[LM201]

My first real show was playing at Fullerton College when I was in 8th grade. Last year. It was some band festival thing for the schools where you'd compete to get a rank.

I had played the percussion there before but not my drum kit so I don't think that matters

When the string ensemble was getting ready, I set up my kit for the first time in that huge stage with all the lights. My drums looked beautiful! All of the different lights reflecting off of my hardware and cymbals. To make sure my drums were set up comfortably, they let me do a little 4 minutes solo. I was so light-headed I forgot I was actually in front of an audience of hundreds. When I got done, the auditorium just exploded with applause and I got so happy. When I stood up to take a bow I collapsed on the floor. I was so light-headed I couldn't even stand up.

So they took a break and a half hour later, we were back on. When I walked out first everyone applauded and I absolutely loved it. I lost my stage fright right there. The piece we were doing was a blues piece. And I LOVE blues so I rocked that thing. I got to do another short solo at the end too.

When it was all over and they were giving awards my school got 1st in concert, and strings. Then they gave out the special awards for best musician. I won. It was awesome. I got a plaque and 400 dollars. Right when we got home my parents drove me to the music store and I bought my Paiste Giant Beat ride. It was the greatest day ever....

[rmandelbaum]

16 years old, back yard party, I am sure I was nervous but I am also sure I had fun, after all I am still doing it 30 years later ;-)

[dale w miller]

My first rock show was Philly Fest in my New Wave band Scary Picnik doing Police, Howard Jones and U2 covers.

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up. I get nervous from time to time when I know someone is in the audience who I respect greatly. Other drummers don't bother me per se, just people who blow me away.

[Bruce M. Thomson]

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up.

I used to let it bother me a lot because the part of town I was playing at that time was a mecca for musicians, artist's etc and I would see some of the pros sitting down for a cold one and check what us kids were up to; there was a time when I thought I would have to try and impress them (with what I'm not sure) and that sort of is a drummer thing but it was detrimental to the other musicians I was playing with; any way I was young and have learned since then that what impresses other drummers, musicians and myself is essentially quality sounding music.

I am always nervous before I play live or with new band mates because I tend to worry about all sorts of things by nature but once I get in to the groove with the band it always disappears and I am happy. I know you will have good time.

[tr3vis]

Well, my first gig was in Depo Club (Latvia, Riga) ... i wasnt nervous at all, because i knowed that everything will be alright :) All you need to know, is the music that you played )) So during the show i drink to many Vodka, and after it i just tell something to people in microphone ))) So that was my first gig ))

[bmilt]

my first time was back in about 02-03 with my former band. local club in Thomasville,NC called connelly's. it was very short notice and we only played 2 songs

[jjmason777]

My first was at the Troubador in Los Angeles, CA, for a band called Medusa. We opened for DuBrow. (That's Kevin DuBrow, who later formed Quiet Riot). Many more followed, sharing the stage with Ratt, Poison, Motley Crue, Slayer, etc. Ahh..the good old days!
That was in 1980. I was nervous as hell, but once we got into the first song (we were VERY well rehearsed), and the crowd was cheering, it was a feeling I never wanted to end!

[Jalli]

Let me ask you guys this question... Would you be more nervous while playing a show if you knew there was another drummer in the audience listening to you? I think there are going to be two at mine, and I'm afraid I might try too hard to play perfectly because I know that they will be able to tell if I mess up.

You know, they'll probably feel the same way about you. They probably worry that you'll hear if they make mistakes.
And most of the time they just know (at least I do) what it feels like. So they won't be judging you if you make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes.

[MatchedAndNumbered]

My first show was in 2003 at a local venue/church basement.
I was playing drums in a rock/"post-hardcore" five piece, opening the show for a few independent touring bands.
Back when I was 16/17, it was absolutely huge for MY band to be playing with four of five independently signed bands.

I was ridiculously nervous before I went on because we had the opportunity to promote the show for a month before hand, packing the place with friends and family.
I stretched and warmed up a little too much causing my left leg to cramp up while I was keeping time on my hats.
I pushed time and bashed at my kit and did my best to pull out my chops in parts of the songs where it wasn't necessary.
Aaaaand I also broke a stick in the middle of a song.

Afterward I was physically and mentally drained but felt a better connection to my bandmates most definitely.
Overall, it was a great experience though - I learned a lot about keeping my energy in check so that I didn't rush the time and I made a lot of great friends I'm still in contact with to this day.

[mikeybbdrummin]

It was at Gregg Bissonette's church in 1991. Gregg was supose to do it w/his brother Matt(bass) but he had to go to Italy for clinics. He told Matt to call me. It was very basic for a kid Church show. I had only played for about 3 years and Matt was a pro. Keyboard player also. Ron Pedely from Maynard Ferguson. But I was nervous w/a church full of people. There were a few up tempo tunes and I kept thinking, "Dont speed up!! Dont speed up!!" But it was fun. And the fact that I got to play on one of Gregg's Pearl kits instead of my CB700 kit was a big plus.

[TheGroceryman]

My first show was at a graduation party, it was the singer's friend's party. I dont get nervous playing in front of people anymore. I have many performances under my belt cause i was always in our schools band since 3rd grade. Though this was the first time i played set in front of people. So it took some time before i started getting into it and before i started getting comfortable. The worst part is bringing the drums...

[mikeybbdrummin]

Hi everyone! I would like to hear about your first time playing a show. Where was it? Were you nervous? Did everything go smoothly? How did you feel afterward? I'm playing my first show next month, so I don't have a story... at least not yet. = )
One thing that helped me AFTER my first show was chewing gum. When your nervous you dont breath like normal (sometimes holding you breath w/out knowing) and abviously not as relaxed as normal. Gum made it so I didnt have to think about it I guess. I have been playing for 20+ years and if I remember I will still grab some gum before a show.

[Oldie]

My first real gig was this Saturday (September 13th 2008), just 7 weeks shy of my 50th birthday. I have played on open mike night and such before. We played support for another band, but played one long set ,1 hour 20 mins.
I had nerves for days before the gig, but as we played the first tune at sound check, it just fell off by back as a blanket. Really strange. The gig was a success. I made some mistakes here and there, lost a stick, but no major stuff.

/Oldie

[genericdrummingusername]

I was a little nervous for my first open mic, but I had the preparation of being in school band for 5 years, so I kept my head and everything went pretty much perfect.

[Chollyred]

The first time I every played in front of a crowd, I was 10 and sat in with a band playing at a CB Radio Jamboree. There were probably 300 people in this huge tent. The band thought it would be cute to have this kid play. Played "Wipeout". Never missed a beat.

I don't remember the next show after that. I was somewhere around 11-12 and started playing with a gospel group at bunch of small rural churches. With the same band, we opened for some of the major label gospel groups at some huge shows.

In high school, we had a jazz band that would occasionally play halftime shows for the Atlanta Hawks.

In all that time, I never had stage fright until a couple of years ago when I got up on stage to play guitar at an open mic. I started off okay, missed a couple of notes and could never recover. Completely blanked out. I completely froze. I ended up walking off stage without finishing a song.

[supermac]

I was 17 in a packed, smoky workingmen's club in England, playing with a resident organist backing up a 'turn'.

First song was Tom Jones' It's Not Unusual.

It took me four or five songs before I got used to all these people watching me...

[805Drummer]

My first gig was with my band "Choppy and the Space Cadets," playing Brain Strew by Green day, twice, for a crowd of about 40 people. I remember everybody told us we did great, but it probably sucked, realistically. I have a video of it somewhere, I'll have to dig it up...

[joshisaces]

Haven't had the pleasure... yet.

[HeadRush]

well my first real show with a band was over the summer last year
I was fourteen and it was for a party at some house (not huge and not illegal haha)
there were twenty to thirty people there and I was wearing a terribly odd looking outfit (it was quite awesome though)
we played the 21 song set (with no breaks) and the only problem I really had was the fact that we had very little practice and I rushed a little because of the nerves
but it was still a good show

[Leadfoot]

My first was with my Dads band back in the 70's at an Amvet's hall. I was nervous because I was very green, & the band leader kept telling me before the show, "don't speed up, keep it simple & keep the volume down". The biggest regret I have about that first gig was that I didn't get any pictures of it. Make sure you get someone to take pictures of your first show!
Also remember, don't speed up, keep it simple & keep the volume down. ;~)

[kristen]

Hey, my thread came back, cool! Thanks for sharing everyone!

[Tank322]

i played my first show in front of like 50 people in my friends room lol. i was a little nervous i was a little to excited and when i went to do my first fill i dropped my stick haha no one notice i kept playin i was just lucky i got it because it was dark, but when i was playing it was the best feeling ever i cant describe it just amazing. afterwords i was just sad we were done but i was proud of my band and my drumming i got alot of comments after that show, the only advice i have for you its just go nuts and have fun but dont drop your stick like me lol

[synergy]

I have played a number of instruments through school and even sung! not that you would know it now!!! haha

First gig with my band was outside with no monitors!

It went over really well- we played too fast, a common problem but I still believe I did fantastically well as I did not hear a single word my singer sung for the entire set. I could barely hear my bass player and only one of the guitarists!

I had to sing myself through the songs to make sure we were all on the same level!!! Great times though- I look back now and we were terrible but what a great learning curve you have infront of you.

We all have monitors- I even have my own and I dont share with the bass player anymore.


I used to be very nervous with stage fright- down to shaking before etc-

Now with more shows under me- I still get nervous (I think ever good performer should have some nerves to keep you on edge) but instead on just looking at my drums and now come to think of it I had all my cymbals set up as a kind of barrier!!! haha

Now I have lowered my cymbals and spend all my time looking out at the crowd and trying to interact with them

[simpson]

At my first gig I was totally nervous, never been behind a kit in front of an audience, didn't have much time to rehearse but I knew the songs and I was pumped and couldn't wait to rock out the first tune of the night!

We started off the first song and it sounded amazing, just as I went to get heavy on the kick pedal, my pant leg went over the beater on the main kick pedal! Uh-oh! I was laughing inside because I had to fight to get my pant leg off the pedal to get the kick drum in to the song. All I remember was the rest of the band turning around to see what was going on? I know it wasn't that bad and it didn't take long to regain my composure, but it sure got hot up there for a moment!

Note to self : Don't where baggy pants and if you do, tuck them in to your socks! lmao

[Khaine88]

i was 16 during my first show and i'd been playing for 2 months, it was for our school eisteffod we played 2 songs infront of 1000 pupills. before we went on my hands were sweating like hell and i couldnt hold my stickes for long. luckily that went away when we played and everything went fine.

[jer]

The first time I every played in front of a crowd, I was 10 and sat in with a band playing at a CB Radio Jamboree. There were probably 300 people in this huge tent. The band thought it would be cute to have this kid play. Played "Wipeout". Never missed a beat.


Gotta love when the old folks want to hear the kid drummer play "Wipeout". I'd guess I was 12-13 when I started playing with the back line at a monthly Jamboree. (average age of the players was 40-50 or so). We'd do a rock set about 3/4's of the way throught the night - it usually ended with Wipeout. The people loved it.

Although I had been gigging with this country band and a few of it's side projects (the guys who would do weddings...), and with a Dixieland band that played old age homes - I feel as though my first real gig was doing originals in my first high school band. The band didn't have a singer, so I took on the role.

Here's a pic from that night, (either '92 or '93) check the snare and tom angles! A few years ago someone told me someone had videotaped the night, man, what I'd pay to get a copy of that.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b226/jeremydrury/oldjer.jpg