The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #14851   Message #129839
Posted By: Rick Fielding
30-Oct-99 - 12:57 PM
Thread Name: Performance Anxiety
Subject: RE: Performance Anxiety
Roger is right. There are some good things in that thread.
Little Neo, almost every musician goes through what you are dealing with now, but keep in mind, you've learned in a very few months, what usually takes (even a very gifted) musician at least a couple of years. There is automatically an imbalance created by the reality of the accomplishment and the nagging suspicion that you don't deserve to play that well after such a short time. I see this often with people who are lucky enough to have natural ability. (and that part IS luck, make no mistake) The hardest part for you, now, will be maintaining the discipline of the basics, ie: good hand position, memorizing the scale, remembering that simplicity RULES, not second-guessing yourself when your creativity takes a holiday (as it WILL) and finally, knowing that to really enjoy music, you must be able to play with other people on THEIR terms, as well as your own. There are some brilliant musicians who cannot interact with others, and I think they're missing out on (more than) half the fun.
Everyone plays BEST when they're alone, but if you can bring that level up to the point that you can play ADEQUATELY around others (even your teachers) you'll be fine. One of my favourite musicians, Gordon Lightfoot, has had life-long stage fright. Others: Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and about a third of everyone who plays in front of people.

Rick