Introduction

[nylonpumper]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and am known as the Nylonpumper. Don't ask me why, it's just the best user name I could come up with. I am very anxious to discuss classical guitar topics with all of you.
I have been playing guitar for about 11 years now but have never performed publicly. I've have taken lessons for about 6 or 7 years and just keep working on some new material now and then or go back and relearn some things from the past. I just don't ever develope the confidence to perform in front of people but I hope some day soon to cross that barrier.
I have many questions that I hope some of you will respond to.

:D

[Dave Tate]

Welcome Nylonpumper! (Did you get that from the "Pumping Nylon" method book, or just a coincidence?)
This is a great community and I'm sure everyone here would be happy to help you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, or simply anything on your mind.
Again, welcome to the GSI forum!
Best regards,
Dave

[brian richardson]

nylonpumper,
welcome.
stage- fright, lack of confidence, nerves, call it what you want, is something
that i'd bet everyone has delt or is dealing with. no shame there. it wasn't easy for me, in the begining. but i just said,"screw it!! i want to play classical guitar live!" and made mistakes. soon after, i got a lot better at it, and began enjoying it. understand, the people you play for are a lot more forgiving than you think. also, most are not guitarist and probably wouldn't catch the mistake, unless it was a reall klunker. hey, i've read interviews with bream, and he says he still gets nervous! not a bad thing, it's how and where you direct it, and what you do with it. i knew a singer who would throw-up before every performance, but went out there and belted it out every time. (the singer was me). yeah, i still get nervous when i play guitar in front of people, but i've accepted it and direct it toward playing my best for 'whomever'. as far as barfing before a rock and roll scream fest? not as often as before, but more often later, that has more to do with my excesive nature and the way i give into the feeling of a great night. i'd ramble more but, i'm thirsty.
looking forward to your paticipation.

[fretbender]

Nylonpumper,

I just finished my first duet with my instructor at my music’s’ school Christmas concert. I have only started playing again so a very basic piece. Cold sweat before but as soon as I started playing I was fine. I could not hear how I sounded to the audience. My Guitar was miked. All in all it went well. As I was sitting down an older gentleman commented, “ That was beautiful Thank you”. With comments like that it makes you forget all the mistakes you made.

Steven

[Jubilee Valence]

Hey Nylonbender! Welcome--I got a "rock" background & sat in w/ pros nightly back in the service overseas..(arm twisted tighly behind back at first!)-So, anyway-ya got the right place! & I hope to learn from you!(no lessons yet..)Believe it or not--I still get the-"Wow-that's awesome" :roll: (I suppose our mistakes are too 'technical to the uninformed?) :lol: ---Jubi p.s. small audiences first may help..

[Shroomy726]

Hey Nylonpumper, nice to meet you. I just started playing flamenco guitar and it's very exciting. I used to play electric but I realized flamenco is in my blood. I have that same problem, when I play in front of someone I kind of get really nervous. It even happened to me with ym teacher, when I had to perform a piece in front of him. But I am sure that as time goes by I will get used to it. Yours will too!

[Faya]

Hello nylonpumper,
Welcome.
looking forward to talking with Ya.

:D

[nylonpumper]

Wow! What a freindly responce. I belong to another DB of a different activity and the responces arn't always so freindly , that is if you get any responce at all.
I did get the Nylonpumper user name from the book "Pumping Nylon" by Scott Tennant but do not own it. I have seen LAGQ perform here in Michigan twice now and they are due to come again this Febuary. I love hearing them.
This forum is a lot more complex than what I am use to so give me time to learn how it all works. I have been reading the FAQ and they are helpful.
My name is Dave and will talk to you again soon.

[Sandra]

Hi, Dave, and welcome! Yes, this is a cozy and friendly bunch here. :)

"I just don't ever develope the confidence to perform in front of people but I hope some day soon to cross that barrier."

Here's a thought for you... how about starting with a few local nursing homes? Before carpal tunnel got the better of me, I used to do that occasionally and I'd like to get back into it eventually. This is a very appreciative audience. Their entertainment is generally limited to television and a live performance is rare.

I remember one time a woman came up to me after I was done playing and told me her father hadn't shown any emotion in months. She said he cried during one of my pieces and squeezed her hand. You have no idea how much this meant to me that someone was actually "moved" by my playing.

Another time after I finished, I thanked the audience, and one spry old geezer yelled out "Don't quit, keep playing!" When I said I'd played everything I'd brought, he said "Well, then play it again, we don't care!"

Pick simple pieces with nice melodies and you should do great. Even if you make a few flubs, no one's likely to heckle you.

Be sure to contact the nursing home well in advance for permission and to schedule a date. You can make up a few flyers and drop them off at the home to post. Sometimes you can arrange for refreshments to be served or offer to provide them yourself. Your performance can be a real "event" for some of these people, and you may even be able to draw out a few visitors for the residents that they might not otherwise get if they say "come visit me on [date] because we're having a concert!"

Best of luck in your endeavors!

[miramadar]

Sandra...what an awesome idea...