How to Play Guitar Good - 4 Easy Ways to Play in Front of a Live Audience By Jeremiah La Follette Platinum Quality Author

If public speaking is considered to be one of the most terrifying things someone can do in there lifetime, then it's no surprise that playing your instrument in front of someone can be just as nerve racking. Playing in front of a live audience is an exciting part of guitar playing, and can be very rewarding for all of the hard work you have accomplished in practicing your six string.

Let's take a look at 4 easy ways that you can prepare yourself to play in front of a live audience.

1. Mentally prepare. 2. Have a dress rehearsal/sound check. 3. Make sure your guitar gear is in working order. 4. Get some fresh air.

1. Mentally prepare: One of the greatest things you can do is to practice the art of visualization before you play live in front of an audience. If you are able to see where you're going to play live, this is even better because, you can visualize where you're going to play much more easily. Whatever song or songs you are playing, imagine yourself playing in front of your audience. More specifically, go beyond just picturing yourself as a rock star, and use your imagination to visually watch yourself play each and every guitar note, chord and solo on your imaginative guitar.

2. Have a dress rehearsal/sound check: You'll be more prepared to play live if you have an opportunity to actually set up and practice a few songs where you will be performing. Sound checks will also help you to sound better allowing you to play more confidently.

3. Make sure your guitar gear is in working order: Making sure that everything is in working order before you play live will help build your confidence before you play live. There's nothing more tragic than practicing for many months, only to have something go terribly wrong such as forgetting to tune your guitar strings, or, having no sound come out of your guitar amplifier due to a faulty guitar cable. Mysterious musical glitches in gear sometimes can occur for no apparent reason whatsoever. Take control of as many mysterious musical glitches as possible by making sure all of your guitar gear is in the best possible working order.

4. Get some fresh air: 5-10 minutes before you play in front of an audience try to go outside and get some fresh air. Fresh air, for so many reasons, will do wonders for allowing you to play better, and think more clearly. Getting away from where you are performing briefly will also help you to distract any nervous feelings you may be having towards playing live.