| Have you ever seen someone play guitar and | | | | a few moments. Repeat your introduction each |
| admired the easy stage presence of the | | | | time you practice guitar. You will develop a habit |
| performer? Some performers seem naturally | | | | that you won't forget when you're trembling with |
| relaxed and engaged with their audience right | | | | nerves in front of a real audience. |
| from the start of the concert. | | | | This routine will also make you better prepared. |
| Is this how your performances begin? Or are you | | | | When you "introduce yourself" in this way you |
| one of those guitarists that annoys the audience | | | | must be ready to play. This will soon get you into |
| as you fiddle with your equipment before you | | | | the habit of tuning your guitar, setting your |
| begin to play? | | | | amplifier and deciding what you're going to play in |
| When you're nervous about being up on stage | | | | advance of every performance. |
| fiddling with equipment is an easy habit to fall into. | | | | From Player to Performer |
| But you won't be doing much to please your | | | | Starting your practice session by thinking of your |
| audience during that time. Do you pay them any | | | | audience will also help you become a better |
| attention? Have you ever read a concert review | | | | performer. You're playing for people and not just |
| that praised the performer for his amplifier | | | | the piece of wood with strings in your hands. If |
| adjustments or guitar tuning? | | | | you practice to play for people then your |
| You might be someone who does not find it easy | | | | performances will be for people. |
| to relax and banter with the audience. But that | | | | Remember that musical performance is about |
| doesn't have to spoil your performances. You can | | | | communication between the players and the |
| improve your audience skills in the same way that | | | | audience. The guitar is just a tool, and not the end |
| you improve your guitar playing. | | | | of the experience in itself. If you get that idea |
| Practice Makes Perfect | | | | then you are well on the way to creating |
| Practice, of course, is the key. Just as your | | | | engaging musical experiences that people will |
| practice helps you play guitar better it will also | | | | enjoy participating in. |
| make your audience skills better, too. | | | | Conclusion |
| A really simple way to include performance | | | | Improving your audience skills will increase not |
| practice in your routine is to treat each guitar | | | | only your enjoyment as well as your audience's. |
| practice as a performance. | | | | Your playing will also benefit as you'll feel more |
| When you start to practice, imagine that you're | | | | relaxed when you perform. This article has shown |
| stepping up in front of an audience. Take the time | | | | you one simple and very effective technique that |
| to "look them in the eye", say "hello" and | | | | will let you build your own. Now, as usual, it's up to |
| introduce yourself, and then begin playing. | | | | you to practice and improve. |
| You might feel a little silly at first, but it takes only | | | | |