Originally Posted by: GT StaffI think I gave it about 5-6 years from the time I started until I actually began playing in public.

That's not necessarily a standard, but I've always advised people to lean on the safer side of that variable.

As far as the songs go, just make sure you know the songs you know IN YOUR SLEEP.

Quality trumps quantity for sure.

I would agree with this. The more prepared you are the more confident you will be. Of course there will always be nerves, but if you can learn to channel the nerves into pouring your soul into the song, you will be good :)

My voice teacher always tells me to work technique as much as you can before the performance, and then at the performance forget about it and feel the song.