Musicians speed up when nervous (and how to keep perfect time on stage)

Ever started a song live and realized halfway through it’s way faster than you rehearsed? That rush isn’t random. It’s a common phenomenon called tempo drift, where adrenaline nudges your internal clock to run hot. The fix isn’t guesswork - it’s a mix of awareness, rehearsal tweaks, and the right tools.

The science behind speeding up on stage

When you step under stage lights, your body fires a fight or flight response. Adrenaline elevates heart rate and breathing, sharpens senses, and can alter your perception of time. A song at 90 BPM may suddenly feel slow, pushing you to count in or play faster.

Many players speed up by 5–15 BPM under pressure, which is enough to change the groove, energy, and even the singer’s breath support.

Why it’s hard to notice mid song

• Cognitive load: setlist, cues, crowd, lights, and more can shift your attention off tempo

• Group contagion: if the count in is fast, the whole band follows

• Course correction costs: pulling back mid chorus can feel risky and distracting

How to keep time when performing live

1) Rehearse in “performance mode”

• Invite friends to watch or stream a private run through

• Practice under bright lights or record yourself on camera

• Run the full set without breaks to mimic show flow

2) Trust the BPM, not your gut

If you tend to rush, count in a bit slower than feels natural. You’re not dragging, you’re calibrating to reality.

3) Feel the beat, don’t chase it

A vibrating metronome gives a private, physical pulse that doesn’t clutter your mix. Try the Soundbrenner Pulse, the Soundbrenner Core 2, or for younger players, the new Soundbrenner Spark.

The pro trick: click track in the ear

Many touring players run a discreet click track in their in ear monitors for intros, transitions, and tempo sensitive sections.

If you already use in ears, such is the Soundbrenner Wave in-ear monitors, adding a Core 2 gives you precise haptic guidance alongside your monitor mix so you start at the right tempo and stay there.

Final takeaway

Nerves are part of live music and they can be a superpower. Understand how adrenaline nudges tempo, rehearse under light pressure, and use private cues so your groove stays unwavering.