playing as black

iam not so confident when asked to play the dark side, which openining moves would you suggest i study to gain advantage? i want to become confident when playing as either side.

The most solid defenses are 1.e4 c6 or 1.d4 d5.

You probably won't gain an advantage, but you won't lose as a result of the opening.

I would avoid playing 1. ... e5 to 1. e4. As dwaxe points out, 1. ... c6 leads to a quieter game though I personally prefer french with 1. ... d6. I also respond 1. ... d6 to 1. d4. So,

1. e4 d6 2. d4 e5

and

1. d4 d6 2. e4 e5

leads to the same position by transposition. So learning to play the french defence you can actually often use the same opening whether your opponent opens e4 or d4.   

1..e5 is always reliable (leads on to Ruy Lopez, Italian Game etc..) but the Sicilian Defense (1..c5) gives black the best chance of gaining an advantage- best to read up on it a bit first-it's dangerous if you are unfamiliar with it.

1. e4 d6 is the Pirc. As sharp as the Sicilian...

thanks for all advice, will try it out

 sorry - I shouldn't be probably trying to contribute to this (nevermind play chess) when I am so tired. It's nearly 2am and I just got back from playing a gig.

The transpositons I was talking about were

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5

and

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5

sorry to have confused anyone