What do YOU think? Which sounds better?

Take it from me. You know, the once-young guitarist who thought he played AWESOME half-lit and ended up face down in a gravel alley in Arbor Hill. https://vimeo.com/1123682399/69726ba7c7

Don't be afraid. It's fun. Here you see, I'm tracking a tune for a gig tomorrow night. One of northeast's leading country bands invited me on to play a gig with them, and it's been my pleasure to learn some of the parts from Chet Atkins, and many others! This one is a sweet and easy alternating-bass boom-chuck. Enjoy! I will add it to our lessons center soon. https://vimeo.com/1113779260/12c861f6db?share=copy

Let's get to know each other! Comment below sharing where you are in the world, a photo of your workspace, and something you like to do for fun. 😊 As you can see, our academy is "under construction". We are loading courses as quickly as possible, and your patience is appreciated 🙏.

Stage Fright, Gig Nerves, and What to Do About Them Hi everyone, I recently caught up with a former student of mine—a tremendously talented, kind, and professional young guitarist whose band is quickly gaining recognition. Honestly, he was a fantastic player even before I met him! He reached out to talk about stage fright and gig nerves. That’s something almost everyone has faced in some form: at work presentations, public speaking, giving a toast, or performing music. So, how do you deal with it? My Wedding Performance Story I once played classical guitar for a wedding in upstate New York—prelude pieces by Bach, Sor, and Tárrega. Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous at all. Even as the seats filled with guests, I stayed calm. But then, the back doors opened. The bride appeared in one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. Suddenly, emotion hit me like a wave. I thought of my own wedding, my own bride, and the importance of this moment. I was about to play Pachelbel’s Canon in D when my right hand started to shake. For the first time, I truly felt the weight of being the soundtrack to one of the most important days in someone’s life. What saved me was something simple: - I whispered to myself, “It’s just business.” - I focused on breathing in through my nose, out through my mouth—slow, steady, controlled. As I forced my breath to slow down, everything shifted. It was almost an out-of-body experience. I just heard the music flowing, saw the bride walking down the aisle, and felt myself detach from the overwhelming emotion. My preparation took over, and muscle memory carried me through. The lesson? Emotion is powerful, but professionalism and preparation must guide you. Practical Ways to Tackle Stage Fright Here are some strategies I’ve relied on and often share with students: Preparation = Confidence 1. Practice until mistakes are rare. If your fingers know the songs inside out, nerves have less power over you. 2. Check your gear at home. Make sure guitar, amp, mic, and cables all work. 3. Pack extras. Strings, picks, capo, strap, batteries, cables—even an extra guitar if you can. 4. Know the venue. Visit the space in advance if possible so nothing feels foreign.