[JenRho]

Thanks for your replies, everyone! It really helps to know I’m not the only one who experiences these things. I appreciate all the advice. It is very helpful.

If I can offer some encouragement to a few of the more nervous types here, practice where people can hear you. Start off in another room with the door open, and week by week, move to a closer room until you’re in the same room with them (or on the porch like ChuckS) 🙂 . It has helped a lot to practice in front of my husband, son, and dogs. They never make any comments, positive or negative, which you’d think is discouraging…but it’s really not. I get the occasional smile and a nod from my human family members, but that’s it. My Jack Russell terrier is my “guitar dog” and any time I start to play, he comes over and sits at my feet. When he does, I ask him if I’m playing his song. 🙂 I think having a neutral audience is helping me focus and slowwwwwwly build confidence. Also, I agree with the person above who posted about practicing while watching TV. I do that too! It helps to disengage your brain from your fingers. I find that my brain sometimes gets in the way. I start thinking “what comes next?” instead of trusting my muscle memory. The TV helps to distract my analytical brain.

Thanks again for all the advice, everyone. Maybe I’ll gain the confidence to post a video, too one day. I’m in the same boat with the person who said as soon as they hit record they get nervous and mess up. What is up with that? So weird.