This video is so helpful and encouraging! For some reason, it gives me Mr. Rogers vibes in the best way, probably because he encouraged the significance of every person in the most vulnerable and endearing way and that's part of the message of this video. But it's just so helpful to know that such great musicians also still struggle with this. For me, part of what helps is just truly accepting things like my hands shaking from anxiety and not worrying about it even if other people are judging me for it. I can't help it. Anyone who has anxiety understands and those are our people. Okay, that's all, but thank you so much for this video, Matt, it means a lot! 😊
I suffer with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and I love to sing & perform live. Two things that do not mix well at all. So it's taken a lot of open mics and leading jams to get over this fear and you really don't get OVER it. You learn to deal with it, you take a minute to breathe before a song, you accept that you may make mistakes, but so what...everyone there is supportive (they definitely should be) and will respect your bravery and attempt no matter what. My first open mic, I was terrified, I dedicated it to my wife since she was so supportive. My voice was shakey, I hit a bad chord (or two) and it was not as perfect as I rehearsed it (which was over and over and over again). Still, I got a standing ovation. People enjoyed it and respected my bravery and it was NOT an easy song (The Beatles - Something). My take away was, "hey, I can do this...with more work and effort, I can perform for people and people will like it." 😊
@Rudy Ramirez Jr that is lovely! A very lovely story indeed. Yes, that is definitely a big part of working through anxiety is facing what causes it... Sometimes incredibly gradually and sometimes all at once (with an escape route / safety net 😅), but that was so brave of you to do something so crazy and overwhelming as performing in front of a bunch of people--while having so much anxiety. But maybe part of what drove you forward is that you love performing more than you hate the fear it causes? For me, playing the uke has been a source of comfort, anxiety-removing-ness, and joy so I don't really want anything to take that away. That's why for me it's better to move slowly, maybe do some of those things like playing in the park and in front of my family / friends more, but it's also helped a lot to have RC101 as a safe and supportive place to record and share without the visceral terror of a physical audience. I try not to think about that too much even while recording videos, but it's still there, sigh. 😅 But anyway, thank you for sharing your story, Rudy! It's really an amazing example of working through/with your fear and being able to do something you love. Uke can do it! 😉😅
I have been playing 7 years. I thought I would show off my playing to my parents. I hit every wrong note (fingerpicking, sounded worse). Every. Single. Note. Yet, by myself, or with my family I play "ok". This was my first experience of performamce anxiety and it was a bit of a shock. Love your videos Matt- waiting for next song!!
Watched your performance on TUS never would have thought you had Performance Anxiety, thanks for sharing. I lost 10 years of my life to anxiety before I even knew what it was.. Definitely the best advice I ever received and help me was similar to the monkey you mentioned… when you feel Anxious, don’t try and block it out/ignore it. Understand what it is and make peace with it. Often my wife would say are you ok.. I’d say “yeah just in the middle of a panic attack” and we would carry on talking. 😍
I feel this post so much. For me it was depression as well, but thankfully I still managed to do some of the creative things that I love even when I was really depressed. I still have really bad days where I struggle a lot (or fail) to get up and do things, but part of what helps is knowing that you could not help it and you can't change what happened. Only take incremental steps to get better which is what I did and do every day. And yes, just try to keep going and not fight it when a panic attack happens. For me when I've tried to fight it it usually ends badly. 😂 Anyway, it is sad to think about time that's lost through mental struggle but all you can do is try to move forward and do better. And accept that even though you can't change the past you can change what happens next. Okay, that's all. 😂Thank you for sharing this!
Ironically I have two recent situations where I tackled ‘performance anxiety’ in Hawaii. (Live in Australia). No.1 like you said, go practice in the park. No.2 I hammered my daily warm-up riffs & tunes whilst looking at ukes at the Aloha Markets. I even found a banjolele and did my version of Duelling banjos. I call it ‘casual public performance’ , not the high stress of taking the stage but it gets you used to other people being around, some stopping to listen to what you’re playing 😎👍
Thanks for answering another question of mine Matt. It’s really good advice, if took leading a lot of jams and doing open mics for me to learn to DEAL with my performance anxiety. And yes, I finally accepted I will make mistakes. I make less mistakes actually by accepting it, strange right?
The issue that I have, is wanting to play before a crowd, but I always think I'm singing and playing badly. Most people that have heard me, say I have a beautiful voice. I don't know how to respond to that. I can enjoy singing and playing my uke if I know my music is appreciated by those listening. If anyone has this same problem, at least know you are not alone. I don't know how to get over this. I do suffer from anxiety, but I just want to sing.
I think the only one that needs to enjoy and appreciate your performance is you. Playing for an audience of one is most important. If you love it others will too. :)
This video is so helpful and encouraging! For some reason, it gives me Mr. Rogers vibes in the best way, probably because he encouraged the significance of every person in the most vulnerable and endearing way and that's part of the message of this video. But it's just so helpful to know that such great musicians also still struggle with this. For me, part of what helps is just truly accepting things like my hands shaking from anxiety and not worrying about it even if other people are judging me for it. I can't help it. Anyone who has anxiety understands and those are our people. Okay, that's all, but thank you so much for this video, Matt, it means a lot! 😊
I suffer with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and I love to sing & perform live. Two things that do not mix well at all. So it's taken a lot of open mics and leading jams to get over this fear and you really don't get OVER it. You learn to deal with it, you take a minute to breathe before a song, you accept that you may make mistakes, but so what...everyone there is supportive (they definitely should be) and will respect your bravery and attempt no matter what. My first open mic, I was terrified, I dedicated it to my wife since she was so supportive. My voice was shakey, I hit a bad chord (or two) and it was not as perfect as I rehearsed it (which was over and over and over again). Still, I got a standing ovation. People enjoyed it and respected my bravery and it was NOT an easy song (The Beatles - Something). My take away was, "hey, I can do this...with more work and effort, I can perform for people and people will like it." 😊
@Rudy Ramirez Jr that is lovely! A very lovely story indeed. Yes, that is definitely a big part of working through anxiety is facing what causes it... Sometimes incredibly gradually and sometimes all at once (with an escape route / safety net 😅), but that was so brave of you to do something so crazy and overwhelming as performing in front of a bunch of people--while having so much anxiety. But maybe part of what drove you forward is that you love performing more than you hate the fear it causes?
For me, playing the uke has been a source of comfort, anxiety-removing-ness, and joy so I don't really want anything to take that away. That's why for me it's better to move slowly, maybe do some of those things like playing in the park and in front of my family / friends more, but it's also helped a lot to have RC101 as a safe and supportive place to record and share without the visceral terror of a physical audience. I try not to think about that too much even while recording videos, but it's still there, sigh. 😅
But anyway, thank you for sharing your story, Rudy! It's really an amazing example of working through/with your fear and being able to do something you love. Uke can do it! 😉😅
I have been playing 7 years. I thought I would show off my playing to my parents. I hit every wrong note (fingerpicking, sounded worse). Every. Single. Note. Yet, by myself, or with my family I play "ok". This was my first experience of performamce anxiety and it was a bit of a shock. Love your videos Matt- waiting for next song!!
I (we) so appreciate how you shared some of your personal challenges while providing VERY practical advice on how to dance with them. Thank you Matt.
Watched your performance on TUS never would have thought you had Performance Anxiety, thanks for sharing.
I lost 10 years of my life to anxiety before I even knew what it was.. Definitely the best advice I ever received and help me was similar to the monkey you mentioned… when you feel
Anxious, don’t try and block it out/ignore it. Understand what it is and make peace with it.
Often my wife would say are you ok.. I’d say “yeah just in the middle of a panic attack” and we would carry on talking.
😍
I feel this post so much. For me it was depression as well, but thankfully I still managed to do some of the creative things that I love even when I was really depressed. I still have really bad days where I struggle a lot (or fail) to get up and do things, but part of what helps is knowing that you could not help it and you can't change what happened. Only take incremental steps to get better which is what I did and do every day. And yes, just try to keep going and not fight it when a panic attack happens. For me when I've tried to fight it it usually ends badly. 😂 Anyway, it is sad to think about time that's lost through mental struggle but all you can do is try to move forward and do better. And accept that even though you can't change the past you can change what happens next. Okay, that's all. 😂Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks Matt, for this inspiring video. Amir.
Thank you Matt, such a great mind set
Ironically I have two recent situations where I tackled ‘performance anxiety’ in Hawaii. (Live in Australia). No.1 like you said, go practice in the park. No.2 I hammered my daily warm-up riffs & tunes whilst looking at ukes at the Aloha Markets. I even found a banjolele and did my version of Duelling banjos.
I call it ‘casual public performance’ , not the high stress of taking the stage but it gets you used to other people being around, some stopping to listen to what you’re playing 😎👍
Thanks for answering another question of mine Matt. It’s really good advice, if took leading a lot of jams and doing open mics for me to learn to DEAL with my performance anxiety. And yes, I finally accepted I will make mistakes. I make less mistakes actually by accepting it, strange right?
The issue that I have, is wanting to play before a crowd, but I always think I'm singing and playing badly. Most people that have heard me, say I have a beautiful voice. I don't know how to respond to that. I can enjoy singing and playing my uke if I know my music is appreciated by those listening. If anyone has this same problem, at least know you are not alone. I don't know how to get over this. I do suffer from anxiety, but I just want to sing.
I think the only one that needs to enjoy and appreciate your performance is you. Playing for an audience of one is most important. If you love it others will too. :)
…. Or head down the music shop with your tuner in your pocket and just Jam away with what you know on every Uke in the place.