I used to be painfully shy. Wouldn't even play in front of my wife. I kind of took it in increments; plaed in church a bit, get together with a couple of friends and play, then perform in a group once in awhile, and so on. Getting up by yourself with a guitar solo, I find is still the most difficult of all, but I've gotten to the place where I can and have done it and will continue to do so, because it's a blast. But you don't have to force yourself into the tough stuff right away.

I had some great advice given to me by a friend when I started though. He said that really, most of your audience, and I mean the vast majority, are on your side and want you to succeed, and are very supportive and forgiving. Most of them won't even notice when you make a mistake, AS LONG AS YOU DON'T LET ON, which is hard at first. You know, that wince you give when you screw up. Just keep on as if it was meant to happen. And those out there that ARE watching for mistakes? Who might not want you to succeed? SCREW EM!!!; what kind of person is that anyway, and why would you care what they think? Don't worry about them, in other words; play for the guy up front who's diggin' your music and relax and enjoy yourself.

Good luck. SB