actual music

[Olly]

Instead of making music i'm told that i'm just playing,but i'm not making music.I think i understand.I can play "music" with passion when i'm by myself and i'm practicing,but when someone is listening to me play i get nervous and feel i'm not very good.So it shows in the way i'm playing.Does anyone have this trouble or have any suggestions on how i can improve?

[StoneDragon]

I think this is totally natural... especially in the beginning. The only cure is to do a lot of playing in front of people... until it becomes second nature. Even then... I still get nervous when I have to perform. It takes me a little bit to get myself unselfconscious and start loosening up.

What you might do is work up a few things that you save in your bag especially for times when somebody says "play me something." Get these pieces really polished so that in the back of your mind you know that you can play this stuff really well... even in your sleep... or nervous. It doesn't have to be anything tricky or complicated... in fact the simpler the better... so long as it's cool sounding.

Also.... don't put too much stake in what people say about your playing at this point. The average person has no idea what it takes to really learn how to play. They only look at whether you can whip off a bunch of songs that they know. A ways down the road, you will have enough chops to blow their minds. They will be saying "WOW!!!" instead of "oh.... that's nice.... now play me something that sounds like music."

[Decosta]

I tend to practise in front of my gf,so when I do play,its nothing because I'm used to the exposure of someone being in the room with me as I play.

Maybe you could do something similar.

[Willy_Cornbread]

Decosta,

That is an interesting thought, I think it may help me if I were to play in front of your girlfriend, if you don't mind? http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

Im just kidding. I couldn't resist.

b