Acoustic night.....I want to enter. (Page 1 of 2)

scrimmy
I used to think this too. I didnt think I would be good enough.
To overcome this play in front of friends in your house or theirs and ask them for their honest opinions. Or just go give it a go, see how you get on. If it is an open mic night thing where you get on stage and yer not too sure then find yourself a wee pub like the scotia in glasgow that have nights like these but you can sit on the seat, no need to go on the spotlight.
I go to a place on a thursday night sometimes  that is a folk session but people play anything ( it is all acoustic) just a big jamming session. If people know what your playing they will jam along, if they dont know then they sit and listen.
YOu can get loads of friendly advice from nights like these. Tell them why you are there and they will help you out if you need help.

Ken

Hello Scrimmy, I say go for it. This past week I played in front of 15 people or so and was a spur of the moment thing
at a small bar and had a blast. The tunes I played over and over in my own home got a good response. I always thought I played guitar for my own pleasure but it feels good to hear folks tell you they enjoyed what they heard. I
have been playing only two years. I say go for it.

  Have a blast... Badeye.

Hi Alex,

The advice you have been given is good, well all know from your recordings that you are quite capable of giving a good performance, so go for it! Pre performance nerves is normal, and is in fact beneficial, it gets the adrenaline flowing and sets you up for it. The buzz after is addictive, so beware, once you start performing in public you will not want to stop.

Break a leg,

Roger

I say go for it, I find it's easier to play with my own equipment, because you do a sound check when doing your setup and you know how hot the mic is and I feel more compfortable,I found that I was very nervous at open mics and now try to find something to say to the audience or soundman thru the mic to get a little more comfortable with the Equipment.
     I was very nervous at one of the first open mics I did and forgot the words to the second verse, three of my friends were kinda the house band and very good, they  would play along and the guy playing next to me said "stay cool ,just keep strumming it'll come to you" I kept on strumming and it popped in my head and away I went and finished the song to applause.Anyone that's been on stage will tell you, the applause makes everything alright.

Good Luck, It will go well  Wayne

Actually, you sound exactly like me.  I've played guitar for a year (on an acoustic), and I've been told that I learned a lot faster than most people, as I can play many differnt riffsf, songs, and a few solos. I was considering playing a solo (I'm not really a singer) for my school's talent show last December, but I didn't think I could play it good enough (like you, lack of self-confidence), so I didn't sign up.  Needless to say, the show was canceled due to lack of interest, as hardly anyone signed up.  I've decided that if I get an opportunity to play for people again, I'm jumping on it.  I'm going to try to start playing with others, too.  So don't be like me-take an opportunity if you get it.  Good luck!

Do you have even a cheapo microphone and some sort of tape player?  Record yourself & play it back.  Your best critic will be yourself.

Do it.  Get late on the list.  The drunker the audience, the better you sound.

- Zurf

Scrimmy,

I've only been playing for a couple of years. There is a coffee house near me that has an "open mic" on Saturdays.

I went for a long time before I got enough nerve to jump in, but I learned some things when I did:

1. I don't suck as bad as I thought I did.

I don't think any of us do

2. Musicians are the most accepting group of people I have ever met.

All the folks there have been playing for "nigh on-ta 20 year", but they didn't ridicule, they applauded me, because they knew what it was like.  Everyone who does it has a first time. They had pointers for me, and some great advice, and I have to say, I learned so much more hanging out and playing with folks who were better than me than I could ever have learned at home in my basement. Even if you have no desire to play publicly, I think you would be missing a serious opportunity if you don't do it.

Good luck on Sunday!  I am sure it will go well!

Maybe this will help simplify it. There are two groups of people that might hear you play.

The first group is people who don't play guitar. They will likely be so impressed that you can get good sound out of that thing and probably can't discern any minor errors or slight offities (it's not a word, I just made it up).

The secound group is people who do play guitar and have been (or will be) in your exact position. They'll understand exactly where you're coming from.

You may run into a couple of jerks who feel the need to say something if you're not Eric Clapton, but in reality they're too scared to go up and try it themselves, so who cares what they think?

Basically, what I'm saying is go for it! If you play in front of 20 people on a regular basis, you're most likely good enough for an open mic night!

Kick some butt!

BY the way supermatt ,
I love that word " offities " ,
if you don't mind I am going to make it part of my vast vocabulary . Like my word stayintuneitivness that I made up the other day .
( Always trying to improve myself you know ......... )

Just do it! Put togather a set that you are thoroughly comfortable with ... take a deep breath and get up there and just "Do It"...  Didja know that public speaking is most people's greatest fear? People fear that more than just about anything else...same for performing...   There are times that I'd be sick with apprehension about playing and then just get up and do it.... Once up and playing then it's a rush!

I'm really interested to see how you got on, I'd love to have the bottle to get up and perform!