I went away at Easter to a Folk song and dance group (camping and caravanning club) meet. Here there are workshops, dances, concerts, celidhs etc all through the day till about midnight.

Being that Bodhran is my first instrument, I don't mind playing on stage or in a band etc as I aren't the lead instrument. Even when I'm miked up I don't have a problem with this.

The thing is, me and a couple of friends were sat outside the caravan when the concert organiser heard us playing and said we had to play in the concert that night. So we said ok. I had chosen a set of jigs I knew extremely well and a reel I knew practically backwards, so I didn't have a chance of messing up on stage. So we got it all sorted and jazzed the tunes up a bit with rock and roll rhythm guitar and went along to the gig. I got on stage and nearly froze!! My face went bright red and I had great dificulty talking. So we played the tunes and it went very well and everyone loved it. But I@ve never been so scared in my life.

I seem to have a problem when it comes to being the lead instrument. I can play fine with the bodhran, but not on whistle!! I don't know why. It may be because I'm scared of failing or making a mistake. But I just can't do it.

This has been happening since the age of 10 when I first started playing solos on trumpet and I can't seem to get over it and just ebjoy myself and play. I try really hard to just chill out.

I've tried the imagining people in the audience naked but that just makes me want to throw up lol!!

help, anyone please.

I would be most greatful.

thanks again

emma xxx