juniorspecial
05-16-2003, 12:13 PM
I've played guitar for over 30 years now, and I've played in all sorts of styles: classical, folk, rock, blues. I've played along to lots of different records, bought guitar magazines and books, and I was always trying to get "good enough."
I almost never played in front of other people. Occasionally, I would get together with a friend and play. But I couldn't even bring myself to play in front of my family, let alone an audience.
But, somehow, about 6 weeks ago, I got up on a stage at a bar and played with a band. I sat in for a few tunes. I was really nervous, but I didn't do anything too out-of-line. My hands were shaking while I was trying to play!! I don't drink, so there isn't anything to calm me down other than my own voice in my head
Now, I play out 2 or 3 nights a week. Last night I really cut loose for the first time, and actually felt comfortable on stage. My playing just completely took off; things sounded really, really good. After the last song, everybody in the band looked at each other and went, "Man, that was killer."
Tonight I'm sitting in with a friend's band, at a bar. He emailed me the set list, and half of them are classic rock things I've known for 20 years, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden I love playing in front of people! I feel like a totally different person! I feel like I know how to play, and I really love it.
I almost never played in front of other people. Occasionally, I would get together with a friend and play. But I couldn't even bring myself to play in front of my family, let alone an audience.
But, somehow, about 6 weeks ago, I got up on a stage at a bar and played with a band. I sat in for a few tunes. I was really nervous, but I didn't do anything too out-of-line. My hands were shaking while I was trying to play!! I don't drink, so there isn't anything to calm me down other than my own voice in my head
Now, I play out 2 or 3 nights a week. Last night I really cut loose for the first time, and actually felt comfortable on stage. My playing just completely took off; things sounded really, really good. After the last song, everybody in the band looked at each other and went, "Man, that was killer."
Tonight I'm sitting in with a friend's band, at a bar. He emailed me the set list, and half of them are classic rock things I've known for 20 years, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden I love playing in front of people! I feel like a totally different person! I feel like I know how to play, and I really love it.