JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Getting over the fear?

Hey Robbie!

Performing, like anything else, gets easier the more you do it.

Work up a "live" act. Since you sing and play guitar, find an under-achieving drummer and bass player that don�t care about getting paid. Don't be fussy with your selection of band members in the beginning. Better to get inferior musicians that you can cultivate. Good for your self-esteem. Remember: "performing gets easier the more you do it". That should be your present goal (to feel comfortable on stage).

When I first started playing gigs I would sweat up a storm (kind of embarrassing). I made a fool of myself many times, but survived (you will too), However, the more I played gigs the easier it got and the less I looked like a donkey. After awhile I became a "ham" (a first-class fool). You will too. We all like to strut our stuff. Even ones like me that had no stuff.

Anyway, if performing is something you really want, go for it!

What's the worse thing that can happen? A person in the audience gunning you down on stage? Big deal. None of us are going to live forever anyway. Life here on Earth is temporary. Make your mark now! May as well go down doing your thing. Just remember, a lot of people were gun down before you. You don�t hear them complaining about it.

The best way to get over fear is not to care. When you get on stage, look the audience over and say to yourself �what a bunch of losers�. Why should I care what they think? I hope this advice helps. It worked for me. It made me what I am today.

Go for it!

Best, John