Originally Posted by: JeffS65So much fear comes from the worry that you'll make a mistake. Get over that one very quickly. Why? Because, to a certainty, you will make a mistake...and many of them throughout your performing.

In the recent of GT's Insider, David Gilmour stated, "I'm an enormous fan of Jeff Beck because he's not afraid to screw up."

When were any of us ready? Never. You will never feel like you are 'there'. In my opinion, anyway. That's why the great guitar players keep practicing and learning. You become ready by doing it. Getting out there and playing. When I started playing guitar way back when, I didn't want to play in front of anyone because I was a newby and had much to learn.

Eventually I would noodle in front of folks at the local guitar store and someone might comment positively. Eventually, I would help try new rigs cuz I was such a pain at the store, they figured why not use him (me) a bit (and I got to try new gear!). Sometimes, kids would gather at the demo room window and watch. It was like performing.

Point being; you build from experience, not from perfection....and, as my wife says, 'few people ever hear the mistake unless you point them out'. So, get out there, play and when you do make a mistake, just keep on going.

Good luck!

Yes!!!!!

The first time I played for an audience I was petrified of making a mistake. That was good and bad :). Eventually you will make one. Once you get them out of the way and learn to deal with them, it is a much more pleasant experience. Just tonight at a gig I started a solo in the wrong key...woops!! I just kept going...and figured it out. People probably noticed but forgot quickly. I didn't die, nobody laughed at me or yelled "you suck".

You don't want to become indifferent to them, but don't let fear of them paralyze you or overwhelm you when they happen.

accept that they will happen and deal with them with good humor when they occur.