Performance anxiety? Speaking in public is more feared than death, so it’s not a surprise that performance anxiety is not uncommon when people are performing music in public. There are some, like Chase in a previous newsletter, that have no fear playing in public... no stage fright at all!

I believe everyone can experience ‘no fear’ performing, especially if it’s playing worship music! Here are some specific tips to conquer performance anxiety or stage fright.

Tips On Overcoming Performance Anxiety

1. Practice your music. It’s easier to play in front of people when you are prepared. When you practice, always pray first. God can help you learn the instrument quicker and it’s much more fun to be focused on Him in anything we do!
2. Choose songs that are easy. Pick the songs that you play the best. If there is a song that you have trouble playing at home, you will also have problems playing it in public. Choose songs that you are very comfortable playing.
3. Don’t stop or make a face when you make a mistake. That only amplifies the mistake. Most people don’t even notice if you’ve played a wrong chord, unless you show it in your facial expressions. One of the reasons people have performance anxiety is the fear of making mistakes. Mistakes are OK... just keep playing.
4. Smile and enjoy the people. When you start and end a song, it’s always nice to connect with the audience. Just eye contact and a smile is enough.
5. Know that you are wonderfully and fearfully made! Often people are thinking about what others will think of them or that they are not good enough. You never need to worry about what others think of you because the God who made you has already made you unique in all the universe. There is no one else in the universe with your specific gifts and talents!  [Read more...]

'Guardame Las Vacas' is a fun Renaissance Lute solo that included in both our 'Guitar Music Theory Course', book with videos, and the 'Reading Notes on Your Guitar' book. It a lovely piece to play. Here is a video for your listening enjoyment. It's a theme with variations. The song has a repeating pattern of 8 measures. This is one of the common ways to write music.

This is one of the songs that is included on the DVD of the Guitar Music Theory Course. Just noticed that 'Unfailing Love' is on the last screen. It's the next song in the course. I had a blast writing several new worship songs for that course, showing different ways to make song arrangements.

What do you do when your guitar playing seems to hit a wall? Are there songs that seem too hard to play? For many people bar chords seem too difficult to play. Never give up! [Read more...]