Feeling a bit nervous before taking a solo in front of an audience is natural and probably a good thing.  However, having your nerves take over and prevent you from playing your horn can feel awful.  Here are some ideas to help restrain your butterflies and play an awesome solo on sax.

1. Know your music. Pick a song you like. Know the ins and outs of it.  Preferably multiple styles of playing it and in multiple keys.  Use dynamics, phrasing, articulation, space, and the other dimensions of music.  And keep it simple so you can build and don’t feel lost after saying everything you had to say.
2. Practice. Practice. Then a bit more practice! Charlie Parker (as well as Brecker, Coltrane, and many others) didn’t become a monster on saxophone by reading books and buying equipment.  Practice your technique, practice songs, practice musicality.  Work to control your fingers.  Practice breathing in between phrases.   Practice what you will do if things go wrong – with what you’re playing or from the other musicians.
3. Know the crowd. Invite friends and say hello to new faces in the audience.  You’re generally going to get there early to set up.  Playing for friends is easier  than for strangers.
4. Know the room (audio equipment/acoustics/etc). Get there early, know that the right microphones, cables, speakers, are set up and that you have anything that you need.  Mic checks are very important.  You don’t want to be adjusting AFTER you start playing.
5. Relax. Don’t feel rushed into playing every musical idea you know in your solo.  Start simple and build.  Taking things a little more slowly will force your mind to slow down a little.  Use space in your solo and it will sound much better.  The space is just as important as the notes.
6. Imagine playing the solo. Think of your sound and confidence in the music.  Think about the applause of the audience, if you’re having fun it will come through your playing.
7. Know the crowd wants you to do well. Especially at a local scene or with other musicians who are learning. The crowd is there to hear you and your group play, they may already be friends or fans.
8. Don’t worry or apologize for small mistakes, non-musicians in the crowd won’t notice it unless you make a huge deal out of it!
9. Think about the music. Just play and listen.  Being anxious won’t help, so try and just immerse yourself in the music.
10. Learn from the process. Your solo is an expression and communication of yourself musically.  You’ll progress with it as you keep soloing.  The experience of playing will make you better at it and build your confidence.  Playing in front of friends and at local jam sessions are pretty friendly environments to cut your teeth on.