...No not that kind, you sick little kiddies :p

I'm talking about doing something in front of a large crowd.

I've been practicing my card tricks recently (pick any card, that kind of stuff), usually practicing on my mum or if she's not around then on my cat or just by myself.

Yesterday I displayed some tricks to someone not my mother for the first time in ages, namely a couple of friends and their family members. My hands just would not stop shaking. It was terrible, I kept dropping cards, not catching breaks, missing double lifts etc etc.

Never used to happen. I've sung in front of hundreds of people and read essays in front of classes in high school and university, without ever letting nerves get the better of me.

So... Post your ways of calming your nerves before a public performance. Maybe I need a belt of scotch or something...

I ignore them. I ignore the audience. Of course, if you have to directly address them, that may be problematic for you.

i usually dont register a crowd when i'm playing at a gig or whatever, i guess i dont give a rats *** what they think about what i'm doing.

Kinda have to acknowledge and watch the audience when you're doing close-up magic. Hell a lot of it is based around missdirection which usually involves audience interaction and participation

crack a joke or something

imagine them naked? :p

Sometimes this method isn't as good as it seems. There's a Dilbert comic that lets this be known:

Dogbert: "Scratch that! I just imagined what a room full of naked engineers looks like!"

Dilbert: "Too late."

Military and especially leadership training. That's a great asset. The environment is controlled, and everything is taught really well (because your life may depend on it). That's such a base for a performance that it invariably grants you some extra courage and self-confidence. After that, also civilian presentations tend to be easier, as you can better focus on facts and action, and not any things of secondary importance.

haha! good point.

Durch courage.

I just have to get into a confident mindset. When I pull it off, the nervous energy fuels me rather than gets the better of me. I think a bg part of it is being confident that I know what I'm doing really well before hand.

I imagine them naked. Not just in front of crowds.

I register it, and if it's a small crowd I get depressed and just go into autopilot. You know, just going through the motions and I really dont remember what happens.

Funny thing is, my bandmates say my best performances are when I'm like this.

Spork, just keep at it. I used to be so scared doing stuff I would clench my fists up and get like major swamp ***. Now it's just another thing that I do.

It's ironic that this thread came up today, becuase I delivered a speech this morning in front of my Comm class. I tell you, I'm one of the more nervous people before doing something like this. I can't stop worrying about all various facotrs such as in this instance: What if the Laptop isn't there, What if my topic doesn't fulfill the requirements, what if I run too long, what if my USB doesn't work, etc. The thing is, I just get up and do it, and everything works out fine. I think the fear of failure prevnts me from failing, ironically. It's also amusing that I get high praise for my public speaking, people say I'm quite conversationl in tone, and in control. It's definitely not how I feel lol. Specifically as to your question, there's nothing I can do. I try to calm myself, but I can't. I just get it over with, and be happy it's over.

i'm way mroe prown to mess up if i have been thinkin pessamistic thoughts before a preformance. i just try to prepair, and not think abuot everything and there mother that can go rong.

LIES

Smoke a doobie

Indeed. Many times this works. But sometimes, people overdo it and have no public shame.