That crucial five minutes before you take the stage...

[Crowder]

How do you spend it?

Please say if you're in a band or playing solo in your response.

 

[The Golden Boy]

When I was a kid, it was doing pushups and stretching.

Now, it's going to the bathroom.

 

[buddaman71]

band or solo

1) bathroom break (if needed)
2) shot of whisky
3) stretch out fingers/check tuning

 

[Eskimo_Joe]

Wondering where the drummer is

 

[StompBoxBlues]

The few times I've done a solo gig, I get more nervous and end up stretching, and taking long, deep breaths. I also smile (it at first seems fake, but in a short while relaxes me and makes me feel less trepidation).

With the band, I don't get nervous. Not sure why, but it seems there is also more to do before starting playing so I get busy and distracted from nerves.

The breathing thing works for me. You can try it, or the opposite...try breathing short sharp breaths, shallow, and you will or might actually feel nervous, even scared. It's the tail wagging the dog. When under attack, or stressed, our breathing naturally becomes shallow and short, when relaxed and happy, we tend to breath deeply and long...so using that to trigger those feelings, it goes the other was as well.

 

[RocksOff]

Talking to people in the green room, if there is one. I'll be anxiously waiting to hit the stage.

 

[oldtelefart]

Out back next to the dumpsters, burning one down.

 

[GCDEF]

In a band. Usually drinking a beer talking to people who have come to see us.

 

[pbmw]

Check tuning
Deep breath
Give a little prayer of thanks that I get to do this
Go do it.

 

[crambone]

Assuming all of my gear is already on stage, I usually wash my hands (it's a tic of mine...less sweat and grease means longer string and fret life!) and calm myself down as best I can. Although, I never really calm down until I hit the first chord/note. Then it's all downhill from there.

 

[Shredtrash]

Solo or band: No set routine except for going to the bathroom and washing my hands. Other than that, if my stuff is on and tuned, I'm good.

 

[Cleet Mongaire]

I play solo.

I'm still scared to death.

99% of the time there's that nagging splinter in my mind that looks for any excuse to get the hell out of there.

It was much easier when in bands way back in the day of the caveman and white buffalo. Seemed like I could hide amongst the rest of the band somehow.

Now its only me and nowhere to hide. Heaps of fear and loathing, woe and gnashing of teeth.

After the first couple of tunes though I'm all cool and the gang.

 

[buddaman71]

i remember the first really large (15,000+) show i played back in about 98...i was just chillin before our spot on the festival, right before the headliner, and was ready to play...not too nervous; just excited...anyway...

count off (2,3,4...BOOM!!!)
huge lights hit and then...you know that "i'm being watched" feeling?
multiply that by 15-16,000 people at ONCE and it feels like a tsunami of psychic energy...
i never really get stage freight, but i remember my entire left arm locking up for a few bars from the adrenaline surge...
i'll never forget that...

 

[Fatboy666]

Band situation

Pee
Wash hands
Dial up songs on iPad
Steal fries from passing tray

 

[Tweedman]

Out back next to the dumpsters, burning one down.

This was me back in the day!!

 

[ChampReverb]

One thing that can help if I'm antsy or nervous is to breathe and consciously try to see the *humor* in the whole situation and not take it or myself (or the potential for having something go wrong) too seriously.

A beer helps.

-bEn r.

 

[Psyfuzz]

Assuming all of my gear is already on stage, I usually wash my hands (it's a tic of mine...less sweat and grease means longer string and fret life!) and calm myself down as best I can. Although, I never really calm down until I hit the first chord/note. Then it's all downhill from there.

I'm with you on the hand washing tic, started doing it to prolong string life, and now it's just instinct.

5 minutes before stage for me usually involves a lot of bouncing, jumping, etc anything just to keep the energy flowing.

 

[Rick Lee]

I can't remember the last time I had five min. between the gear being all done and set up and show start time.

 

[Echoes]

Both band and solo...I usually walk around with my guitar getting warmed up for as long as I can...usually half hour sometimes less depending on countless things.

 

[Endr_rpm]

piss
wash hands and splash face
stretch arms, back, and do a couple toe touches
stare into space for about 30 seconds focusing on breathing
Proceed to rock