I'm guess easily annoyed sometimes. Yesterday I saw a performance by a piano player. All he was missing was a candelabra. While playing a slow piece he would frequently lift his left hand in a slow arc to a level above his shoulder – sometimes higher than his head. And on several occasions – I assume he was "emoting" - he would tightly close his eyes and his head would roll back so that his face was pointed at the ceiling. I can only imagine that he was trying to prove that he was capable of playing the piano one handed without looking at the keyboard. How special. I found his performance mannered to say the least. It was so silly looking that I had a hard time watching him. Yet I know he has sold a few million CD's.

I understand that a musician needs to put on a performance. When I watched videotapes of our group performing I realized that I looked stiff and uncomfortable. I had to learn to loosen up, smile a little and look like I was having some fun. But at some point you start to cross over the line. And one person's showman is another person's showoff. And the line can be very easily crossed. Musicians need to look like they are enjoying the music in order for the audience to be able to enjoy it to. I think Van Morrison for instance is a brilliant musician. But there are times where he looks like he'd rather be having a root canal than be on stage. But when you watch mandolin player Sam Bush perform it looks as if no one in the world is having more fun than he is.

So when does it go over the top? When do you start looking like a fool? Do any of you get to watch yourself on film? And have you changed your performance because of what you've seen?