/ Register

I did it!!!!

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by misterCRUSH, Jan 17, 2022.


Page 1 of 11
  1. Jan 17, 2022 #1
    misterCRUSH

    misterCRUSH It's all jazz...it's ALL jazz...

    Dec 27, 2015
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    So I suffer from extreme social anxiety, as well as a serious mental illness. This has kept me from performing because I struggle with being on stage and also cannot count on my ability to even make rehearsals. The other week, I was feeling especially confident. With the support of my amazing wife I ventured out to an open mic. I was the second one to go up. I performed Giant Steps with a backing track, and a solo piece I wrote for my wife. I even stayed on stage to jam with two guitar players and a hand drummer for about an hour. I am so proud of myself. I'm hoping for another bold day the next time the open mic rolls around. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, just putting this out there for anyone else that may be suffering from similar or other debilitating conditions. It can be done!

    271415480_1106263640207801_3081177549912100211_n.jpg
     
    oldandbold, Tendril, stubborne and 606 others like this.
  5. Jan 17, 2022 #2
    FunkHead

    FunkHead Supporting Member

    Mar 10, 2007
    Awesome! Congrats.
     
    barrenelly, Jim622, Rip Van Dan and 3 others like this.
  9. Jan 17, 2022 #3
    Ostie

    Ostie

    Aug 1, 2018
    We’re the boys from the Capitol City!
    Good for you! Keep it and it will get a little easier each time.
     
    btmpancake, barrenelly, Eric Aquilina and 11 others like this.
  13. Jan 17, 2022 #4
    Spidey2112

    Spidey2112

    Aug 3, 2016
    Ain't nothin wrong with that... carry on!
     
    barrenelly, CryingBass, the harp unstrung and 13 others like this.
  18. Jan 17, 2022 #5
    Genomatic8

    Genomatic8

    Jan 5, 2021
    Good on you brother! Bet ya can't do it again....;)
     
    barrenelly, BOOG, Rip Van Dan and 3 others like this.
  22. Jan 17, 2022 #6
    misterCRUSH

    misterCRUSH It's all jazz...it's ALL jazz...

    Dec 27, 2015
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    I'm already practicing for next week :)
     
    Jen Jesse, barrenelly, John Stephen and 32 others like this.
  26. Jan 17, 2022 #7
    Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    That’s outstanding!

    I remember my first violin recital as a kid, terrified. It gets easier. And you’d be surprised how many legendary performers suffer. Keep it up.
     
    barrenelly, Eric Aquilina, P. Aaron and 13 others like this.
  30. Jan 17, 2022 #8
    WI Short Scaler

    WI Short Scaler

    Jun 13, 2018
    Central WI

    Seems like one of those "one step for man..." kind of things. Keep at it and it just gets more natural. :thumbsup:
     
    barrenelly, the harp unstrung, Spidey2112 and 5 others like this.
  34. Jan 17, 2022 #9
    joelns

    joelns

    Mar 10, 2014
    Great first step! As others said, it will get easier with experience.
     
    barrenelly, Rip Van Dan, Reedt2000 and 2 others like this.
  38. Jan 17, 2022 #10
    smeet

    smeet Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2006
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Giant Steps??? Dang bro. :thumbsup:
     
    The Owl, barrenelly, 4Mal and 35 others like this.
  42. Jan 17, 2022 #11
    icefly

    icefly

    Sep 7, 2020
    SouthAmerica
    Yes
    Congrats.. keep going!
     
    Rip Van Dan, Reedt2000 and misterCRUSH like this.
  47. Jan 17, 2022 #12
    5StringBlues

    5StringBlues

    Feb 26, 2009
    Here we are...
    Just keep doing it!
     
    Spidey2112, Rip Van Dan, Reedt2000 and 1 other person like this.
  51. Jan 17, 2022 #13
    Engle

    Engle

    Oct 5, 2014
    Vancouver, BC - Canada, eh
    Right on! You can do it!
     
    Rip Van Dan, Reedt2000 and misterCRUSH like this.
  55. Jan 17, 2022 #14
    ultra60

    ultra60 Supporting Member

    Sep 16, 2010
    Herndon/Chantilly Va.
    well done!
     
    Rip Van Dan, Reedt2000 and misterCRUSH like this.
  59. Jan 17, 2022 #15
    misterCRUSH

    misterCRUSH It's all jazz...it's ALL jazz...

    Dec 27, 2015
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    one of the benifits of social anxiety, and my other mental illness, is that I have A LOT of time to practice! I'm also proud that this is my first 5 string and I got it on christmas, so in a few weeks I made the transition. like I said, a lot of time to practice!
     
    thisonegoestoeleven, el jeffe bass, barrenelly and 23 others like this.
  63. Jan 17, 2022 #16
    Dincrest

    Dincrest

    Sep 27, 2004
    New Jersey
    So much amazingness in that post.

    Between overcoming personal obstacles/demons to perform on stage and now looking forward to performing again, the simple fact that live performances an open mic nights are back, and some super cool artwork at the venue...

    You know, in my days of seriously gigging/touring, I met a lot of musicians with similar stories to yours. I once met a guitarist (absolute monster player) who told me he had mild agoraphobia- getting to a gig was a herculean effort for him (there was one bandmate who never left his side; emotional support and all), but once he was on the stage with his guitar strapped on and started playing, he got in the zone and felt like "home" again. Amazing the power of music and performance to bring out the best in people.
     
    barrenelly, junglejimuk, stigbeve and 20 others like this.
  67. Jan 17, 2022 #17
    waver

    waver

    Nov 19, 2016
    Memphis, TN
    Sounds like you took a giant step!
     
    oldandbold, barrenelly, dirtychinchilla and 10 others like this.
  71. Jan 17, 2022 #18
    the baint

    the baint Supporting Member

    Jan 1, 2010
    Greenville, SC
    Techtronic Industries, North America employee. Opinions are my own.
    That is AWESOME! Way to go; I'm honestly very proud of you. Also, THANK YOU for sharing the moment with us! We all benefit from it and that may truly inspire some of us to push past what we believe holds us back.

    I had played tens of shows in a band context, but I'll never forget how different the pressure was the first time I had a short solo recital in college. TOTALLY different experience, no one but yourself, and I suddenly had new anxieties I hadn't had when I was just one of a group. You went up there all by yourself and DID IT!

    Also, how sweet is your wife to know and support you like that! That's special.
     
    The Owl, barrenelly, Riff Ranger and 14 others like this.
  76. Jan 17, 2022 #19
    mellowgerman

    mellowgerman Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2008
    Orlando, FL
    Cheers to conquering and rocking it!
     
    Reedt2000 likes this.
  80. Jan 17, 2022 #20
    Philip McAdam

    Philip McAdam Supporting Member

    Feb 24, 2021
    Gabriola Island, BC.
    Congratulations to you! The first of many firsts, I hope.
     
  84. Primary

    Primary TB Assistant

    Here are some related products that TB members are talking about. Clicking on a product will take you to TB’s partner, Primary, where you can find links to TB discussions about these products.

     
    May 24, 2022
Page 1 of 11

Share This Page