I have been playing for about two years, so i am a beginner, i am 45 and my goal have been to play in my church band. The guitar player has decided to take a break so they asked me if i would play. Just need advice on playing live ! thanks

Practice, practice, practice.

Seriously.

What you need for performance more than anything is confidence, then you need to be interested. Which you clearly are.
A good understanding of how and why the songs work (how percussion, low end and high end work together) is a excellent foundation for playing any song.
I.E don't just blast the thing. Learn how to work within the song and how to let others work in the song.

Practice and listening are what will develop that for you. The good news is that the more of it you do, the better you become and the faster you will identify these points.

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No no and no

Pray about it, and just do it.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

thanks ninja, great advice!

Hey I started gigging 2 years after I started playing. Aside from some bleak years lately and in the 90's. I haven't stopped.

I forgot to mention. Enjoy yourself. Relax and have a good time. Especialy for a church band. My understanding of God is that he wouldn't want you to do it if it was a chore. That aint what worship is about.

On a secular band basis, everyone can easily spot the person that doesn't want to be there.

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No no and no

Try to keep your part simple. Try not to embellish the role or be a show off. First of all, showing off in church is kinda un-Christian-like what with it being against humility and all that but even more importantly a simple part played cleanly and with good meter sounds about a hundred times better than a complicated part played incorrectly. If you try something difficult and you botch it up all anyone will hear (and remember) is that you botched it. Stick to what you can do backwards and blindfolded while chewing gum and preparing your taxes in your head and leave the tricky stuff for later when you're home alone, practicing. There is no place on earth but the stage where the old Bible verse applies more strongly. Pride goeth before a fall.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

+1000!

And great advice for performing at any venue.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Well I'd love to add something to this topic. But it appears to have been thoroughly covered by everyone before me. Definitely just relax and allow the music to lead you.

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Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

lol its not the music that he needs to lead him, thats why i gave the advice i did.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

great advice also, wc jr done lots of praying and practicing !

then your all set. let go of the wheel and just ride bro.
let him do the driving.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

[qu
well like most things, its hard to !

faith.
(yes it is bro i feel ya)
good advice has been given already. you will be fine i bet.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Do not focus on the fact there are people watching you- focus on your guitar and concentrate on what you are playing. It's easy to get distracted for a brief second.

But like others say, make sure you have fun

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Know your limitations and don't try to exceed them...you will improve and get more comfortable as time goes on.

Good luck!

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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!