posted July 03, 2005 10:55 AM         

I hate to bring Mr Aqua up yet again, but the following irks me. Whenever I have tried to play stuff in front of him or friends in the past, he has either shouted me down or talked loudly all the way through about how "rubbish" what I do is. Recently he actually begged me to play guitar and sing to him...and I wouldn't...because I wanted to punish him. I thought abt. it this afternoon when I came home, and cried. Because someone else I know...is very supportive, and does actually take the trouble to see both the good, and "areas which could be improved", in my music.

posted July 03, 2005 03:07 PM         

Where's Pix? I'll bet she has some sound advice.

posted July 03, 2005 05:09 PM         

Have you ever been on stage long enough for stage fright to go away? The longer you're up there, the easier it gets. As you play, and get comfortable with people NOT booing you off the stage, you can relax and realize that you're not in any danger. Be honest with yourself and with your audience. They know you're nervous, so may as well acknowledge it and get everyone on your side from the start.

I'm no master in this area, but here are two things I suggest to help you get over this:

1. If you've never felt any ease being on stage, it may be time to take up dancing. Hopefully there's a club or something that you can go to. You need to get out on that dance floor often, and you need to start getting comfortable with being one of only a couple people out there. This will help you to realize that even though you're on display no one's making fun of you, and if they do at first, just go with it. Stay on the dance floor. Your detractors will come around to apprecating your boldness, and will soon turn into your cheering section.

posted July 03, 2005 06:12 PM         

But even if it did make you less nervous, it would be really distracting, I think, so then you would have an entirely new problem.

posted July 04, 2005 04:21 PM         

I can sing and public-speak and dance well, I just can't play! The guitar playing "anchors" my voice but I think it was a bit quiet due to my classical strings (must get a metal set). Great acoustics in the hall, though. The roof went up and up...and amplified the singing naturally.
And I have just become inspired again (must be the summer weather) and reworked an old song I thought was crap, and had put on the backburner, into something half-decent. (Lyric-writing time again!)

posted July 05, 2005 08:30 AM         

Altho' - my guitar is a cheapie - I bought it for £20, so dono whether it is a folk or classical guitar. Fairly small body, not much of a "square" shape. Nice "ring" to it though. Has its uses!!! I just liked the sound of the classical strings.

posted July 10, 2005 09:15 AM         

I took part in a talent contest yesterday...to get to grips with my nerves...and WON...comprehensively!!! I was astonished!

People, you are great...thank you!

posted July 10, 2005 11:55 AM         

Actually, Mr. Aqua paused, then screamed with laughter when I told him I'd won. "You mean," he said, "that everyone else was so bad that they had to pick YOU?" and carried on in this way for about five minutes. (BTW, he is tone-deaf, and can't play an instrument)

"Excuse me," I said, having at least expected some sort of a "well done" from him of all people, "am I married to you?"

"It's certainly funny being married to you!" he said. "Come on, let's hear one of those winning songs, then!"

"No," I said. "You're an a***hole!"

Ah.....he's just jealous!!! Everyone else was really nice and supportive last night. And in any case - at least they all had the gumption to get up on stage and contribute!