David, I am begining to overcome my fear of performing, and lots of people have given some really good advice.

Strumelia reminded me not to challenge myself musically in a performance but to play stuff I know really well. I think we all want to impress, but that latest piece we've been working on that we almost sorta have down is probably not the best choice. Play the music with which you feel most comfortable.

Robin T encouraged me not to think of it as performing but as sharing music that I really like.

I played a craft fair about a year ago and I was so nervous that even though it wasn't hot, sweat was falling off my forehead onto the fretboard.  And then it would distract me!  But I made the mistake that day of not using a mic for vocals. Since I wasn't planning on singing, I told them I just needed to plug in my dulcimer. But then I couldn't talk to the audience, so I couldn't develop a relationship with them apart from my playing, which just magnified every little mistake.  Since then I always make a point to use a microphone even if I'm not singing and to tell stories and jokes and smile a lot in between tunes. If you demonstrate that you are having fun, the audience will, too.

After all, the audience wants to enjoy themselves and enjoy your playing. Smiling and just being friendly can make the environment just as welcoming as playing for the folks here at FOMTD.

Ya know Dusty is one of the folks I follow for learning.  I had planned to play at my church not long ago, and Satan convinced me I didn't know the words or chords to Wonderful Words of Life. (I did)  I'm ,dumfounded. My Instrument had "malfunctions". I was scared to play.

Thanks, Helen. When I was hired to teach two workshops at the Berkeley Dulcimer Gathering, they put me on bill for the faculty concert.  I'm still learning how to perform, but I'm getting better at it.

I wish I had been there, Dusty!  

Thanks, Val and Kristi.  I didn't feel nervous, but when I got up there my hands were all sweaty and it felt like I had 5 thumbs on my left hand. It took a couple of tunes before I was comfortable.

Some of the tunes I played were: "Needle Case," an original blues called "Cosumnes River Blues," an original instrumental called "What a Fine, Fine Feeling Being Free" (on my Ewing dulcimette), the Cajun waltz "J'ai Passé Devant ta Porte," "Farewell to Whisky," and a Charles Mingus tune I learned from a Maceo Parker CD called "Better Get Hit in Yo' Soul."  I tried to keep the set as eclectic as possible.

 You have your audience on the edge of their seats.

Ya look real proficient my friend. What did you play?