I've sensed a letdown after performing a gig that had a lot of preparation - many/long rehersals, complex coordinations of music and movement, playing to singers, not over them. Is this the sort of thing you have been doing?
Knowing me I don't either. Yeah, post-gig sex sounds appealing but we're a little short on groupies at the moment. And I don't do drugs at all, not even alchohol. Otherwise, it's a fair suggestion. Blessings Sebbi
Everytime i perform with my band, i come off stage either with a huge high from the show, or a horrible low- with lots of anger....it can pleasurful and painful.....and the anger is usually at myself for fucking up, or just not paying attention....but a girl after the show, with loving arms and words can be one of the best things while your in the "high" and a great way to get you out of the "low"....also smoke some pot, it helps.....
aha, i've got it too.. I've been playing around 10 hours a day (atleast) since my gig, lmao, I've learned the entirety of The Beatles' white album since then. but I found out today that I get to bring my guitar to school starting tomorrow, so everyday's gonna be like a gig. hurray.
Guys, I hear you, lots of people experience this. One of my fave friends, a great musician in every way, has this affect him so badly that he isnt able to perform live at all anymore. My friend is the closest living thing to Mitch Mitchell there is, and also sings exceptionally, plays guitar, fiddle, and anything else with strings or keys. The best musician I have met, but never plays! Its just that after the gig, there arent people there anymore. Its tough for him to go home after a show and get any sleep. Having people enjoy what you do can also make you question yourself in strange ways. If you get too much appreciation, there isnt enough validation later to make up for it, and it can lead to depression. Some folks, Im not saying anyone here is like this, have similar problems because they dont enjoy performing as much as building the comeraderie gained by jamming in the rehearsal room. These guys dont like to play live, but will, and often end up feeling unhappy about the show after. For them, the fun of the music is playing it, and doing shows secondary. Great guys to record with, but with baggage that only comes out when there is a gig, or after. Ive seen it in other players, musicians, actors, etc. All performers deal with the stage in different ways, and what works for one may not for another. Making sure you spend the time AFTER the show, and even the next day or two, being around people can help. Sometimes, having a recording of the show can help a person get over it by hearing it again, and having it captured so you can go back to it. Having another gig lined up can help some, but can also add to stress for others. Drugs and groupies dont last, and over time take a harder toll than they are worth. Keeping attainable goals helps, and having a good group to work with always makes it smoother. MOST importantly, TALK TO YOUR BANDMATES, or a fellow musician, someone you know and trust. A little communication will bring it out into the open, and everyone will be happy to try to help you feel better about it. Its likely, they have the same feelings too sometimes.
Playing on stage with my band is my favourite thing to do in the world more than anything else. So when I'm finished a gig, I usually get moody mainly because it's all over.
Thanks man that is some really solid advice. It's strange - I don't know why I get it, I think it's PARTLY due to the fact that I know I've experienced something wonderful and it won't last. Getting gigs around here it hard so I would try to have anotherone lined up every time I play but that's just really hard. I used to suffer from depression really badly but have got a lot better, I don't think I was completely relieved of it though. I think in the lull after a gig those feelings resurface - there's a distinct feeling of loneliness and the feeling of "what does it all count for?" and a strange feeling of meaninglessness. I'll see what I can do by the way of your other advice though. Actually really quickly chipping this in - my guitar teacher said that what he does is go to his car and put on mellow music and just close his eyes and relax for 20 minutes until he feels peaceful. I can imagine that being useful but I don't have a car or anywhere else I can really go into recluse for 20 minutes (non of the venues I have played have a dressing room lol). Blessings Sebbi
Do you also get really hyped up before the show? I have a pretty even keel before and after. If I managed to connect with the audience well and communicate through my playing/performance, I am usually pretty happy for a while after. These days I kind of feel like you end up with what you put out, but this only really happens if you manage to connect with people. I was playing in a band that wasnt working out for me anymore for too long and I had the opposite effect- I'd be depressed during the show, content after. Dont get into that situation!
I tend to feel like I'm going to have a heart attack from the stage fright, so afterwards is a bit physically wierd. for my actually good musician friends,(where I'm audience/shutterbug, not on stage) I find that being around to chat about whatever they want to helps, as does a massage offer. shoulders take a lot of abuse in a show.
