playing live is harder than I thought
I have been sitting in on shows and playing at open blues jams, and I am learning something very quick: it's a lot harder than I thought. I feel like I am prepared, but it's easy to forget all the stuff I have worked hard on. And if I can't hear myself, I have a hard time playing. I now realize how extremely important it is to do the improvising lessons at the end of each study song with the riffs that I really like. It would be cool to hear about others' open jam/sit in experiences.
thanks for the feedback. You are absolutely correct, people are very supportive and I have developed alot of new friends that share the common love of music. I am having a blast with this whole experience. It's quite the rush to get up and play in front of a crowd of people. I am excited to see where this adventure will take me.
You are very correct. It is quite difficult at first. There are so many things to learn in the live experience with the few things you have described and many more. Having started that process about a year ago, I have found a lot of growth in my playing. The best advice I believe is to keep going. Observing what others do and watching for signals, listening and talking to others at the jams. I suspect you will find, as I have, great people that will help you succeed and grow in friendships through music.
At first I found it a challenge as to what was I going to play at any given moment but soon realized I can completely use the martial we have learned through this site as it is all so very commonly played by others. It is hard but also very rewarding and FUN.!!!!
You will figure out how to hear yourself, when to lay back, and when your given the nod for a solo. Definitely use the lessons of Accompaniment and Improvising to your advantage. I completely find that I play awesome in practice by myself but then live it's like I'm new. Which we are!!!
Again, though, have fun and keep going
It definitely gets easier