How hard is it for you to let others experience
your new material?
It matters who they are, how safe you feel
with them, how judgemental and open they are
I imagine....
Or does it?

Absolutely. This is something we all need to overcome. Just be brave and play it as best you can. I think now, a few years later from the first time I had to, I am not as afraid anymore, and while I still feel vulnerable, I know that there is nothing to worry about, either way I will learn something from the experience.

Although I haven't had this experience much except for a few college assignments, I was excited about how it, excited about sharing it with others, and wasn't worried about what others might think. I appreciate others comments good or bad. I really like what I write and don't worry about if anyone else doesn't like it. If I don't quite like how something I write sounds, I just ask around and try to get help. If someone has an idea for improving it, I consider it and make the appropriate changes if it sounds like a good idea. If it doesn't sound like a good idea to me, I keep it the way I like it.

I think lack of confidence seems to be a musicians worst enemy. I have read so many comments of others whether composing, playing an instrument, or teaching music that imply a lack of confidence on the person's part. We all need to quit putting ourselves down and tell ourselves we ARE capable. All of us are a lot more capable than what we give ourselves credit for and never get as far because we have ourselves convinced, "we're not that great". It "waters down" a person's composition, performance, teaching to make an excuse for it when presenting it. I wish people wouldn't do this.

My piano playing, composing may not seem all that great to others and I know myself it may not be that great. Well, my piano playing I don't think is that great but my true love is composing and I am usually proud of my compositions even if they don't seem that great in others minds because I impress myself when I go beyond what I think I'm capable of and when the finished product is played, I think, "wow, I did that!" even if no one else likes it.

We all need to tell ourselves we are capable and quit listening to those who tell us we aren't including those messages we tell ourselves.

There's also a difference between constructive criticism of someone who thinks you can improve - they see you're potential and potential for the piece and so this is positive criticism. Then there is "put-down" criticism of those who say, "your'e no good". We need to listen to the former and ignore the latter.

ps: Perhaps it can depend how much one has at stake - if one's career and livelihood are riding on it, it might be more nerve-wracking. For me as a hobbyist, I have nothing to lose.

It doesn't bother me one way or the other. It's nice if somebody enjoys my music but the underlying process is going to persist regardless of praise or blame.

It depends on whether or not I care what the other person thinks. If I do care, then I am very conscious of their approval. If I don't care, then it doesn't matter to me at all.

When I know I have a good product, I lose all inhibition...doesn't matter who I'm showing it to because at that point, I'm confident in my work.

I agree with this attitude, but the nature of composing is such that we're always exploring, always learning new things or trying new things. In a sense I hope I never stop trying new things when it comes to my composing. That's the time I'd probably start getting bored with it.

Now I will admit I've been composing for some time now (> 30 years) and maybe the new things I'm trying are different from the issues those with lower mileage are wrestling with. It doesn't matter whatever is new will be a source of insecurity. In addition I have yet to write a piece that matches exactly with my initial conception of a work. They always change as I do the job of putting notes on paper. The important thing is to be commited to doing the best you know and writing as expressively as you can. I only get worried when I start getting bored. If I'm excited about a piece I know someone else will be too.

One last thing. I used to be one of those composers who didn't play his own music. Never again, I play it all, perhaps not well, but I can play it. How can I expect others to learn my music if I won't invest the time. I'm not a great player, but I will say that learning my own music has stretched my technique. I'm a better player for it. YMMV.

Steve: I really enjoy reading your posts. I feel similarly, maybe, about composing. If I had my druthers I'd just compose, have someone ELSE play the stuff. (Fat chance of that happening - HA.) I enjoy the creative process very much, but have to admit, playing a piece really well, is a bit of MAGIC.

Jeanne W

What about me?

:p

If the song is not about my feelings it's easy to play in front of a crowd, but if I play a song about my feelings (especially love) I get very nervous. Especially if the person it's for is listening.

Have you seen the movie "Deathtrap?"

I love sharing my music. Music is meant to be heard. Without the audience it goes to waste.

Thanks for bringing that up. Here's a swing tune I composed the music for. I really enjoy playing piano in this style.

"Never Be Me"
Lyrics: Cal Francis DiFalco
Music: Me
Vocal: Myles Loud
http://www.artistcollaboration.com/~johnny-boy/neverbme-Cal\'s%20Mix.wma

Best, John

Hey Derulux,

Let me enjoy my kudos. I don't get them all that often. We all know you're the resident stud.

Those are excellent points! I did listen to your piece. Sounds like something that would make a great song in a movie or theatre production. Hope that isn't taken as an offensive compliment. It reminds me of that alley cat on Aristocats. I could picture a cartoon character singing it. (You can tell I have little kids and so you know what I end up watching!)

Thanks Sara!

Not offended at all, I write a large variety of music. I've been going through a swing and blues thing lately.

I'm delighted when people enjoy it.

Best, John

How did I miss this before? *laughs* Me? Well, certainly not by playing...maybe if I took my shirt off.... :p

hanna2222 wrote,
"It matters who they are, how safe you feel
with them, how judgemental and open they are
I imagine....
Or does it?"

It's something like playing a contact sport, such as football. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, your so used to it that the game is all that matters.

Once you're in that frame of mind---experience helps---you realize that you will never receive a critique from which you do not benefit in some way.

It's something like playing a contact sport, such as football. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, your so used to it that the game is all that matters.[/b]
As a contact-sportist, I've never been in a situation where one's nerves are caused by "spectators". Usually, it's the individuals/team you're competing against who cause nerves to fluorish. I've never played a sport (including football) where I cared what people thought of my performance. Either you perform or you do not...you either catch the ball, or you do not.

And many athletes are the other way around... you feel pressure at the beginning, but once the first drive is over, you're fine... until the fourth quarter, when the "end-of-game" pressure comes back to bite your arse. If you're behind, there's a pressure to win. If you're ahead, the pressure's to stay there. The LAST two minutes of a game are often the most nerve-wracking...especially in close games. But either way, the game is the only thing that matters, and it's the game that makes you nervous...not the spectators.

I think musicians would benefit very much from playing sports. Not only will they become better athletes all-around (which will help with strength, endurance, timing, accuracy, speed, flexibility, etc. etc. etc.), but it would definitely help them get over performance-anxiety due to "spectators".