[For Student Drummers] How to Ease Nerves for Your First Live Performance

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• drummerYamaguchi Gaku
  Drummer, Drum Tech: Gaku YamaguchiStarted playing drums in junior high school. In high school, he studied classical percussion under Shigeru Sato and Yoshitaka Kobayashi, and drum set under Makoto Hashimoto. While still in college, he began his professional career performing at jazz clubs in Tokyo.After graduating, he worked as a systems engineer, programmer, and IT consultant while performing with indie rock bands. In parallel, he continued drum studies with Masatsugu Tomikawa, receiving broad instruction in jazz, Brazilian, Latin, and funk styles.In 2007, he joined the progressive metal band Gonin-ish. He served as the opening act for international bands visiting Japan such as Slavior and Anekdoten.In 2013, he studied abroad at Drummers Collective in New York under Ian Froman. He also took lessons from Peter Retzlaff, Tobias Ralph, Frank Katz, and Kim Plainfield.He is currently active primarily with Gonin-ish and his own band Beyond to Cinema. CANOPUS endorser.Personal site: http://gaku5214.wix.com/gaku-drumsBeyond to Cinema: http://www.beyondtocinema.com/Gonin-ish: http://www.gonin-ish.com/Main.aspx?lang=1

Nervous... is that not allowed?

Personally, I think “don’t be nervous” is the harder thing to do.

Because it's the first stage, the first performance in front of people, and you can imagine the audience being full of friends, family, and strangers.

In that kind of situation, you’re going to be nervous no matter what.

I get nervous all the time too.

But,What’s really bad is not getting nervous, but getting so nervous that you can no longer see what’s going on around you.That's what it is.

Drummers are often the ones other members rely on.

It’s also largely the drummer’s responsibility to give the initial count-off for the song’s tempo, play the fill-in before the chorus, and make sure the tempo doesn’t speed up or slow down during the song.

If people playing such instruments lose sight of those around them and become completely absorbed in themselves... the result, needless to say, would be disastrous.

So You Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Your Own Affairs (Preparation Edition)

What kind of preparations can I start now to help me not get nervous before the actual performance?

Being nervous, in other words, also means you don’t have any leeway.

To avoid being overwhelmed by your own concerns, it’s important to give yourself some breathing room.

Composure is of course something you develop through practice, but it’s not just about hitting for the sake of it.

I mean, there are rhythm patterns and fill-ins that, no matter what I do, I just can’t pull off with my current ability.

That could mean that no matter how much you practice before the real performance, it still won’t be enough in time.

If there are parts you just can’t do no matter how much you practice, then give up on them and simplify.

When your right hand can’t keep up with a really fast 8-beat, how about playing eighth notes or quarter notes on the hi-hat?

If the sixteenth-note snare hits aren’t making it in time, how about eighth notes?

Don't you think it's better to simplify your own part if that makes it easier for the band, rather than forcing yourself to play extremely difficult or unplayable sections and ending up wrecking the performance?

If you’re currently thinking, “What should I do? I don’t think I can pull this off in the real thing,” I recommend boldly simplifying.I will do it.

As a result, you’ll have more leeway, and I think it will make it easier for the band itself to perform. Please give it a try.

So You Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Your Own Issues (Performance Edition)

Alright, it's the big day, and everyone’s getting hyped. There might even be some nervous laughter.

Your classmates, friends, family—everyone in the audience is focused on you.

Climbing onto the stage with my heart pounding, the live show starts on your count!

And before that, "translation"Make eye contact with every member (this is important) and ask if they’re ready.

You're not the only one who's nervous, heart pounding, and excited.

Other members are just as nervous and are preoccupied with themselves.

There might be things I’m forgetting, like tuning, the amp’s power, or the setup.

Before you start counting, please say with a smile—even a forced one is fine—“Are you ready, ___-kun?”

This is very important not only for the other members but also for yourself.

By calling out to them, you can really feel, “Oh, I’m not the only one on stage.”

Even on a completely away-stage, at least the members are on your side.

Live start!

Make eye contact with all the members, share a smile, and when everyone’s ready—raise your sticks and start the count!

Enjoy the concert to the fullest!