Wow, thanks everyone......this is all amazing advice.....it's so nice to be on a forum like this as I can gwet help from people who have gone through what i am just starting to go through. Performing is something I really want to do....I want to get into being proffesional....but mainly as a bodhran player rather than a whistle player.....but it's really good to have more than one instrument that you can play in a group. What don said last about what his music teacher said is so true. the fact is I am thinking aout what the audience thinks rather than just playing...I don't want to screw up so they think I'm awful......you know the jist of it. Anyway......I'll keep checking in and thanks again for all the advice and kind thoughts....it is very useful/interesting and nice to know that there are people out there who care