Transitioning into a performing guitarist is the kind of thing that isn’t talked about a lot. Most players learn about the things I’m about to go over, through the school of hard knocks.

Players like this finally get the nerve to do it and force themselves ahead. The problem is that, sometimes it can take years for this to finally happen. With just some prior knowledge of the challenges ahead, becoming a performing guitarist can be a much easier and quicker process. 

In today’s podcast, I go over the five big challenges that you will deal with moving from the practice room to the stage. They are:

1. Mental issues
2. Physical issues
3. Dealing with your surroundings
4. The setlist
5. Dealing with gear

Mental issues

 This is the one that stops most guitarists in their tracks, even before they play a single note. 

Does any of this sound familiar to you:

• What if I’m terrible?
• What if someone says something mean?
• What if no one enjoys themselves?
• What if, What if, What if?

If any of this does sound familiar, you are not alone. In this weeks episode (listen above), I deal with the fear that surrounds performing, with theses topics:

-Worry

-Stage fright

-Distractions

-And getting past this by:

• Allowing yourself to make mistakes.
• See performing as an opportunity
• Limiting your goals
• And not putting enormous expectations on your performance.

Perfection

Perfectionism can be a very heavy weight which is always magnified when preparing for a performance. In today’s podcast, I cover:

• The stress of cutting the gig – doing well.
• Being over prepared
• Dealing with memorization
• The fear of forgetting your music
• Overwhelming your self with getting your tone exactly right
• Picking the perfect songs

Physical issues

 The difference between regular practice and performing can also be physical. In today’s episode, I cover:

•  Performance
• Endurance
• Adrenaline
• Weather

Dealing with your surroundings

 Getting your space on stage just right can be quite an ordeal! It can take a while before you are comfortable in your designated area. In today’s podcast, I cover how to handle:

• Limited space
• Too much space
•  Stage volumes
•  Not being able to hear yourself
•  Monitors
•  Not being able to hear other instruments

The setlist

Getting your program just right is quite a learning experience for a new performer. In the podcast, I go over: 

• Playing for yourself vs. playing for the audience
• Song order
• Memorizing your music
• Reading from music or chord sheets.

Gear

 Dealing with gear is always a battle for the new performing guitarist. Here are the gear topics I cover:

•  Pre-gig purchases
•  Appropriate guitar and amp
•  What sounds good at home, doesn’t always sound good in a band setting
•  Appropriate amp amp settings
•  Wattage
•  Speakers
•  PA systems
• Getting your pedals set for volume control
• Acoustic issues
• Feedback

Question

Have you taken that big step toward performing? If so, what are the main issues you have dealt with? Did you overcome or are you still working on them? Leave your answer below in the comments. We would love to hear about your experience performing!