gdoc - Posted - 10/20/2009:  00:20:43

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I also remember once making a huge mistake.... HUGE.... well, banjo being such a instrument as is, many sounds are wierd to start with... I just gave the guitar player a strange look, and everybody blamed him for not following me.... This is for real... You should have heard the people.. it was a small crowd.... but the effect was the same... Oh did I laugh at that one later.

gdoc

BrianBanjos - Posted - 10/20/2009:  09:12:06

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>>I just gave the guitar player a strange look, and everybody blamed him for not following me.... >>This is for real..

That's a good one! In one of Steve Kauffmans flatpicking DVDs he says to look at the bass player like it's his or her fault when you mess up your own timing.

Happy Pickin'
Brian Daniels
Deering Goodtime II
Deering Deluxe
No-Name Asian Rat from dear old Dad
Seagull Mini Jumbo vintage burst cedar and cherry
Tacoma DR-28 Herringbone
Fender Standard Telecaster

Bitbender - Posted - 10/20/2009:  09:58:43

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After many years of giving presentations and teaching computer materials worldwide, there is only one thing I can opine as to what to do when the flutters hit yer heart and make their way into your throat...

Act like you are 5 years old again and could care less what any one thinks - Just play what you know :) Remember, they do NOT know if it's right or wrong, they only know it when we show them ;)

now, as to ME playing banjo in front of people... Err.. No - I'm still nervous in front of my instructor!! I figgure by Dec, 2011 I will be ready.

GW in Ohio - Posted - 10/20/2009:  13:34:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banjoman

Only worry about the things you have control over...Walk to the stage, check your fly and strut on to the stage...You're the only banjo player there and act like it. You're the MAN! Pick that banjo! Make them wish they were you.

Hugh
Picking since 1964

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That's a great response, Hugh, and yes, it applies to men or women. It's all about attitude. Attitude is something you can develop, Vicki. It comes with the confidence you feel when you've practiced enough.

When you are practicing at home, try imagining you are playing in front of an audience. If possible, practice in front of a mirror.

banjoman56 - Posted - 10/20/2009:  20:19:29

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I have the same problem. I played pretty often in front of people for a while and it got some better, but when I slacked off some, the problem came back. I have a problem with going blank sometimes on songs that I play almost every day. It just leaves me and there's nothing I can do about it. It always gives me a case of nerves just thinking that it could happen on stage, and it did happen one time. Made me want to find a hole and crawl into it. I don't mind missing a note or two, but total wrecking a tune is different.

banjoman56 - Posted - 10/20/2009:  20:21:02

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I have the same problem. I played pretty often in front of people for a while and it got some better, but when I slacked off some, the problem came back. I have a problem with going blank sometimes on songs that I play almost every day. It just leaves me and there's nothing I can do about it. It always gives me a case of nerves just thinking that it could happen on stage, and it did happen one time. Made me want to find a hole and crawl into it. I don't mind missing a note or two, but total wrecking a tune is different. Playing in a jam with better musicians than I am gives me the nerves also.

KidfromDeliverance - Posted - 10/21/2009:  10:36:51

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I haven't tried this yet, but on one of the Ross Nickerson dvds I have (I think it's "Playing by Ear"), he shows how you can practice recovering from mistakes - basically you just go into a simple roll, but it helps if you can at least remember what chord you're supposed to be on. He made it seem pretty seamless, of course - I'll have to work it into my practice schedule somehow. So many things to get to already, but it's coming along!

barbbanjo - Posted - 10/21/2009:  21:11:11

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Vicki, another thing that has helped me a lot is busking in the summer. Playing on the street in a town that isn't your own lets you make all the mistakes you want and practice going on without stopping, etc. No one knows you (usually) in a strange town so you can play in front of people and be practicing at the same time. When I've been busking with friends or family, people gather round and really enjoy themselves. Some folks sit for the whole time we are there and just listen to the music. The last time I took 3 of my grandkids out to play with me and we brought the washboard along and invited members of the audience to play with us. We got one guy who had been a drummer once and he was just fantastic on that washboard! So maybe a little busking would do you good. I also watched a band once where the banjo player kept his eyes closed the whole time he played his break. I think that was his way of concentrating. I record the show Cumberland Highlanders all the time and I've watched the bands play closely. When the musicians play their breaks, they are really concentrating. Some watch their left hand and never once look out at the audience while they are playing. So even musicians who play professionally have to really concentrate to avoid nerves.