I have never played in front of a crowd, or even a small group. and for that matter rarely for anyone. After not touching a guitar much for 20 + years, I started playing again last Janurary.

Now the time has come and some friends have asked me to play an instrumental and then a couple of Christmas Carols for my local church.

I am not really good with that type thing and even speaking in public I get chocked up. I am afraid that even after loads of practicing some songs I will blank out, the same way I always did for algebra tests.

But its something I feel I need to do or try, or I will go to my grave regreting it. If I screw up and get it out of my system maybe the next time will be better. All in all it reminds me of when you know you need to go ahead and throw up and you will feel better afterwards but you hate throwing up.

Any of you been down this road.? Some good funny stories might help.

Thanks in advance.

You should try stopping in to some open mic nights and/or jam sessions and slowly develop your confidence again. Maybem just watch the first one or two, then sign the sheet to play a couple at one and when you hear the applause, you'll feel really good!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Don't worry about messing up there's a very good chance you will, everyone does. My first time on stage was great, I forgot to turn the amp stand-by on and the volume on my guitar was full up so I got to treat the crowd to some nice wailing feedback. It was an open jam and wanted to play Pride & Joy but when everyone else started I was like a deer in headlights. All I could think was "play a shuffle stupid" so I lowered the volume and just played whatever I could muster. When the leader gave me the nod to let me know it was my turn to bust a solo I shook my head and mouthed NO, he must have picked up on the the look of panic mixed with desperation and went on with it. Afterwards the band treated me to drinks all night but unfortunately not enough to kill the memory. My second time on stage didn't go as well.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

oh yes. i remember the first time i played to a crowd.

Just me and a few buddies, a short 5 song set. with a few little fills in between.

My amp crapped out in the first intro bit, well. it just sucked all the bass out of everything and everything i played sounded like a bunch of kids whispering.
(i plugged into another amp for the rest of the set)
And in our outro, our lead guitarist snapped a string. and played the rest of it completely out of tune.

Mistakes will happen. and theres bound to be problems.

But after it all that applause and cheering... its just the sweetest sound.

Just go out and have fun, Thats the important thing.

I'm to the point now where getting on stage doesn't bother me very much, but that's only after three and a half years of it. Mistakes will happen, every night, no matter how much you practice (and sometimes because you can over practice). But I promise you that 95% of your mistakes will go unnoticed by the audience if you're confident. What everyone will notice is if you're nervous. If you're sweating, your eyes are bugging out or your hands are shaking, it's pretty obvious.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
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Hi oneal lane. I'm still new enough at the guitar that I've never played in public, but I do have a lot of experience in public speaking and stage acting. Here are a couple of things I can tell you that I believe will also pertain to your situation.

1. Your audience wants you to do well. They will be supportive.

2. Even though your mistakes will be glaringly obvious to you, chances are good that your audience won't notice them at all. And even if they do, refer back to #1 and keep going.

I hope this helps!

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Mistakes happen and your mind goes blank too. It doesnt matter how well gigged or how well rehearsed you are.

Once my old band were double booked. Manchester in the afternoon, Retford in the evening. Being a sunday, us being greedy and not wanting to let promoters down after a string of cancelations by us, we decided to do it anyway. Now I live 20 mile south of Retford. So in the morning its off to Bury, near Manchester. Play the gig (all day punk festival), we were 3rd on after a bit of an explanation to the promoter. He didnt mind and was happy to have someone saying they wanted to go on early. Played a blinding gig, full of energy and tight too. We were gigging 3/4 times a week at the time.
Packed up, said thanks to the manager, got our pay and off we went heading back east. Arrived at Retford 2 hours later, set up, then went and got fed. Got back to the venue, hit the stage. 5 songs in we did a song 'scapegoat' with a Zcars inspired intro. The easiest thing I've ever played. We'd played the exact same set not six hours earlier. We'd played that song nearly every gig for over eight years. Could I remember the 2nd part of the intro? Not a chance. I had 3 attempts at it, it had just gone. The singer made a wisecrack, i turned red and said something insulting about his wife, the audience laughed and we did another song instead.

My point is, its not if you make a mistake what will you do? Your going to make mistakes, its how you handle making a mistake infront of people. My thinking on it is, its gonna happen. Laugh and forget about it, theres another one just round the corner. Its not like your performing open heart surgery or something. Half the time your audience will never know, if they do its highly unlikely they'll remember it 3 minutes after its happened. If you want to see good musicianship, go watch an orchestra. If you want to see a good gig go and watch status quo or springsteen or someone. Theres a big difference between musician and performer. You've been asked to play so someone must like what you do.

Way back at the tender age of 15 i started gigging. Surrounded by well seasoned muso's who all gave me the same advice. If you make a mistake dont stop playing, just carry on. Nothing sounds worse than if you stop.

On a slightly related subject. I think we build up this idea of super polished performance in our minds by listening to records/cd's. That to my way of thinking is not what music is about. Yeah its ok for radio play but really to my mind music is some people in a room with instruments and other people going to see em play. I really do think this notion of 'every note, move and expression perfect' is a side effect of the comercialization of music. Its particular to the latter 2oth century up to now. Unless of course you look at classical pieces throughout history. Music for the common man though has never needed to be as perfect as some deem neccessary today though.

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No no and no

Nikininja raises an excellent point. I've ranted on this subject before, but here's the crux: Recorded music is only about 100 years old, and it didn't really catch on until the 1930s with the widespread use of radio. Prior to that, the only way to hear music was to play it yourself or go somewhere it was being played. The "music industry" back then was devoted almost exclusively to the printing of sheet music. Families and friends sang together in the evenings or listened to one another playing the piano, guitar, harmonica, whatever. Nearly everyone made music with varying degrees of virtuosity. The rise of the recording industry heralded the death of musical amateurism. I think we lost some of our humanity when that happened. Those of us who are willing to pick up an instrument are doing something extraordinary, no matter how poorly we may play. Embrace and celebrate your humanity. Make a joyful noise.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I'am also at that spot right now.The Paster who is also a friend of mine of the church I go to also is bugging me to play in the worshipteam. I have only played twice with other people ,the first time was a complete bust the second was better the third well I'll tell you latter because I organized a jam session with some friend for tonite. We should have :keys, Acoustic guitar ,electric guitar, drums ( and I'm hoping drums),and me on my acoustic. I figure if I want to conquer my fear I better stand up to it, so I better organize it if it is going to happen!

Good luck with the request or quest..

Well i better get packed up to go.

Dave

Bon Jovi ....going down in a blaze of glory.......

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2008-Fender Strat Standard MIM SSS (chrome red)
2005-Fender Blues jr (black)
2007-Cort MF710 OV acoustic/electric

http://s879.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... IM4368.jpg

Hello, I think we have all been there before. The best thing is just dont sweat it. Im sure you'll do fine. And no matter what the Church will be happy you tried. And after the first time it just gets easyer. So good luck and God Bless.

Even the most road traveled pros get nerves before a show. Usually by the time the first song is over so is any sense of being nervous. I think every one of us has had the experience of playing a solo or piece that we never had a problem with and yet sometimes when that little red light goes on, ten seconds in you hit a clam.lol

I could remember as a teenager playing something perfect five times in a row and then I would get the little cassette player and go to record it and flub it . Even the best get red light fever. Just remember to breath normally as a lot of guys still have a problem with holding there breath when a difficult passage is coming up.Nerves can work for you or against, sometimes it is good to have nervous energy.

I am still amazed at the balls some guys have that could hardly play, yet they have no problem getting on a stage and going for it.lol Just know your parts well, maybe have a shot,remember to breath and keep in mind mistakes are free.

oneal lane, if I haven't already said this, welcome to the Forum! I remember my first rock concert and to keep it short the band I wanted to see in the line up was The Young Rascals as I watched the performances before they took the stage all of them were great but when those Rascals came on I had goosebumps, I could hear their songs in my head Good Lovin', I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore, their cover of the Beatles Slow Down, if they just stood there and waved I would have been happy but they played and I remember it to this day. What is the point of the story? This time its you Bro. Those folks standing in front of you like you before you even play a note. You will be great! Have fun and take some pics for us.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

+1

Very well put as always bro.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Thank you CC!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Oneal Lane

The main point is your doing it for God. If God blesses it your onto a winner.

Take the leap of faith mate.

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No no and no