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Originally posted by CX
Hi all
I know there are many musicians here on ATS, so i thought i'd ask some advice, and maybe pick up some tips from your experience if i may?
My music background is minimal to say the least, but i love it. Enjoy singing, i'm ok i guess, can hold a tune, and last year i started learning the acoustic guitar. So thats me sorted for entertaining myself.
However i seem to have hit an obstacle. Playing to an audience. I try and encourage my kids to have the confidence to play in front of people when they can, and they have done this. However i get this kind of mental block when i even think about it. I have been asked to play at a local cafe in the past, just very informal stuff in a relaxed atmosphere, but i made excuses every time.
The furthest i've got is playing quietly in the background, just the guitar, no singing.
At first i thought it was the fact that i was making a few mistakes with the music, but whether it was remembering the chords or lyrics, i discovered that this is easily remedied by lots of practice until you know your material without thinking.
Part of me is very conscious that others are far better than me on guitar, so i think theres no point in me bothering to play in front of other musicians. Now i know in my head that is silly, theres always someone out there better than you eh?
Anything else in life doesn't phase me, but sitting in front of a few people with a guitar and a song....petrifies me lol. I know i don't have to play for anyone, but i think i really would like to give it a go. I'm not one of these musicians with a huge ego, in fact i'm totally the opposite, but i do like the idea of sharing what i've learnt.
So fellow musicians......any advice for someone who wants to give this a go? How did you start? Is nerves something that is still a factor for you?
Thanks for any advice.
CX.
Part of me is very conscious that others are far better than me on guitar, so i think theres no point in me bothering to play in front of other musicians.