Help Required

[liquidation]

Hi Guys, I have a problem. When I learn a song, I play it to myself over and over until I consider it perfect. I then try playing to my friends or family and screw up, not just once but it seems all the time.
Any ideas on how I might correct this?
Thanks
I have been playing for approx 5 months

 

[stratovani]

Sounds like nerves to me. The only cure I can think of is to keep playing in front of people, and don't worry about a few clams. And don't be too hard on yourself, after all you've only been playing for five months. Even seasoned pros who have been playing in front of thousands of people for years make mistakes.

 

[Billnc]

+1
Practicing is not performing. The only way to get better at performing is to do it, or rehearse. By rehearse I mean go through every move before you start to play. You're gonna make mistakes, you're gonna make mistakes the audience doesn't catch. I've hit clams while recording, that for the life of me, we couldnt find later on to fix. Sometimes the small crowds are the hardest.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Make a mistake - move on. A good note is just one fret over from the bad note. Most of the time you are the only one that heard the mistake. If you do not call attention to it it'll probably just blend in.

Now correct that mistake in your next practice session. Not saying sloppy work is OK, but, right now don't beat yourself up over a few mistakes. Move on. When they start paying to hear you - THEN - people expect it to be exact.

Link Removed

 

[eggfan]

Don't forget to breathe.

 

[mambo4]

Practice the song over and over with a band
Playing with others forces you to own your awareness of tempo and rhythm in a way that solo does not. the added presure could be messing with you You didn't mention if you use a metronome, play with the recording, or just wing it, time wise.