Thread: Live Music...I am petrified

Well I am dancing daily over 3 years...I am dancing out & about for about a year...I have only danced to live music 1 time.I am petrified...Did anyone else have the same fear?And if yes how did you overcome it?

Its not that I only dance to songs I know..And I can improvise.And I definitely hear the music.Just scared of live.And it bothers me.My teachers tell me I would do fine.Yet I am still scared.Need to overcome it!

Thanks!

This might seem like a nutty idea but I think it can really work:
When you go out there, pretend you're someone else! You're a world famous diva dancer, been doin' this all your life, dance with live musicians all the time, you're totally confident, it's just easy. The audience is damn lucky to get this chance to see you do your stuff; yeah!

Make sure of course that you're looking your smokin' best, your make-up, costume etc should be ultimate and that will help you get into your "role." And we know that part you can handle, no problem!

Hopefully over time, the on-stage role-playing should gradually meld into your reality until you're truly confident for yourself.

It's all a performance anyway; we make ourselves up and dress ourselves up and go out there and entertain. There's nothing wrong with adding a secret internal layer to the presentation.
Rosette

I've never done it and would be nervous as well. As Rosette suggests, pull out all the stops and give it your best. I know you will ROCK!
Go girl, we're cheering for you!!

It's so great you are getting to dance to live music. The energy is so different from dancing to a CD, especially if there is live singing too. It is important to relax and just feel the music.
I think that most dancers have that live music fear in the beginning. It takes a couple of minutes once you are onstage to get used the way some musicians play and accents.
It sounds like you have knowledge of music and rhythms and you will do great.

Have a friend make a CD for you(so you dont know what is on it) of random songs of varying tempo. No pauses between the songs..and get after it!

tell the band what song you want for each section.i know the names, but unknown songs do not scare me.tell them you want to enter to a 4/4, veil rhumba bolero, chifti , drum solo, 4/4 closing.
all the music repeats the patterns, so once you know the traditional songs, the patterens are in your head. all the music stays in that mode, so there are really no suprises.
you turn and nod to the leader when you want a section to end.

imo live music is the best. how lucky you are to have the opportunity.

while it might be a bit daunting in the beginning, try to take the whole experience beyond you and your fear. when you are dancing, think about the whole context.

make eye contact with the band at various points. make use of non-verbal communication with the musicians.

remember that a live music performance is likely more powerful for the audience too. they are watching a live improv collaboration between you and the band. by definition, the energy will be different as you perform because it is not just you on stage.

really listen to what the band is playing and where they are going next. if you use visual communication with them and listen carefully, you will intuitively anticipate what will be next.

if you let your art truly live in the moment, it can be an amazing on-the-fly collaboration. don't be afraid to completely immerse yourself in the moment and commit completely to your movements though you might not really know whats coming next.

and the mantra i give all my students
"no crotch shots and thank the band" :)
...but you already knew that

break a leg!

Originally Posted by Rosette

This might seem like a nutty idea but I think it can really work:
When you go out there, pretend you're someone else! You're a world famous diva dancer, been doin' this all your life, dance with live musicians all the time, you're totally confident, it's just easy. The audience is damn lucky to get this chance to see you do your stuff; yeah!

Make sure of course that you're looking your smokin' best, your make-up, costume etc should be ultimate and that will help you get into your "role." And we know that part you can handle, no problem!

Hopefully over time, the on-stage role-playing should gradually meld into your reality until you're truly confident for yourself.

It's all a performance anyway; we make ourselves up and dress ourselves up and go out there and entertain. There's nothing wrong with adding a secret internal layer to the presentation.
Rosette

I am with Rosette! My live band dancing experience is limited, but I recently purhased a wig, and I totally felt like someone else on stage! I swear I danced better than I ever have before. ..l;,

My first time was scary at first, but if you can improvise to a CD, you can improvise to a band!

Nerves aren't always a bad thing, though. I read a post recently by a dancer who, when she gets nervous, says "ok, good: this is the reservoir of energy I'm going to draw from". I wish I could remember who that was...


Sometimes it's easier with the band, too: you have them to fall back on. It's fun to watch a dancer interact with the band, so if you freeze up, you can go pay attention to them for a moment while you collect yourself. And sometimes just having them smile back at you can boost your confidence.

Definitely acknowledge them before you leave the stage, but it's nice to do so during in your "hi everybody, here I am" lap when you first enter, too.

Another suggestion is to find out if there are restaurants/nightclubs in your area with open floor dancing to a live band. Just boogie-ing in a dance floor full of people will free you up to hear the music and dance to it without the pressure of performing. Then when you do perform, you'll be familiar with how the band sounds, what patterns they tend to hit, what their song repertoire tends towards, etc.

Thank you all for your words of wisdom!!Definitely feel better!! It should be happening this sat or the 22nd so I will let you all know how it goes!!

Sabrina you had me ROFLMAO
and the mantra i give all my students
"no crotch shots and thank the band" :)
...but you already knew that


Thank you all again Sincerly!!

Musicians are people too! So don't be afraid to talk to them ahead of time. They will love it if you can name songs, or rhythms and depending on how experienced they are, they should be willing to work with you to make your set awesome. Dancing with live musicians is the best - have fun!

One piece of advice which was given to me long ago and has served me well: hone in on the drummer. If you are responding to him, you son't be sorry.

{{{HUGS}}}

I think I was ultimately lucky that my teacher at the time called me just before I left for work and told me I was dancing to live music that night. I didn't really have time to get nervous. I think the most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself. If you smile (at the band whenever you get the chance!) and just dance, the audience will love you. Your inner dancer knows what's she's doing.