Wondering if anybody has any specific tips on the topic of just plain choking on breaks in jam settings — beyond “just keep at it” and “we’ve all been there.” Pretty frustrated at being a competent practice player and then when it’s my turn in a circle - fingers can’t hit the strings at all, why is the sound coming out all wrong, measures forgotten, panic, the beats passing rapidly by!
Choking/freezing up in jam setting
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I have been there, and still go there at times. Here are a couple vids you may find helpful
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In my opinion, Ben’s videos are the best at addressing this. But if you want a scientific explanation of why stage fright is normal, here’s a link to a neurologist talking about it:
I don’t think he does this podcast anymore, but this one appears to still be on YouTube.
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I am grateful for the replies and I have watched these. I want to say that second video from @BanjoBen is without a doubt the most heartfelt, helpful and inspiring discussion of this I have ever seen and it touched me. It makes me feel renewed, even a little hopeful.
And I am a little amused at myself to realize his diagnosis is spot-on - even at my fairly low level of expertise, it is my pride that makes me want to “show off” after really working on a song, and the flip side of that pride is anger and panic at choking up with “failure”! Good grief!
As for the Brainjo video on specific techniques shared by @JKL I felt like he was talking to me directly at times. I bet that his last point of advice all by itself (take a breath, for goodness’ sake!) will be good advice for the rest of my life… and am looking forward to applying the other ideas as well,
So, thanks for the replies and best wishes to all!
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