5 Ways To Crush Stage Fright, with science! (Brainjo Bite) 

Josh--Twenty years ago I walked away from a pretty successful musical side-career because , while I loved the roots music I was playing, I just didn't enjoy being on stage. In fact, I hated it. I would literally be sick before performing. Back then, this would've really helped. In my dotage, I took up golf. But I dropped out of the Mens' Club competitions because the first tee felt like being on stage: Worried about looking foolish, worried about what people might think if I screwed up, and feeling as if I'd never handled a golf club before. It'd gotten to the point that I'd only play golf with my wife or by myself. After watching this, I scheduled a tee time for this morning, knowing that on Saturday, the course would be crowded and there would be no way I'd be playing alone. I used your suggestions, played well, and had a great time right away, with no first-tee jitters. Came here for the banjo; left with a renewed joy for golf. What a world. Thanks.

Thanks this gives me some practical exercises to help overcome my anxiety of playing in front of people besides "forcing" myself to do it, since that is my goal--- to share my music with others. In fact I practice myself to go desensitize myself to play with a 18 month old my wife babysits for. He loves the banjo: how it looks, all the shiny doodads, turning tuners, strumming the strings, lookin at the back of my open back banjo & today I showed him how it will make a sound when we hoot in the back. I know he thoroughly enjoys it when I come play with him and he jams with me on his Ukulele, but still I was talking myself to go for a visit. Thanks for yet another tool to get me out in front.

I want this fellow to be my banjo teacher 😊. I wonder where he is at ? I believe he can help me in all the necessary areas to be a good old time banjo player.. would like to play for folks in rehabilitation center and retirement homes, hospitals,, to help give joy to those who might not even have visitors or family or friends.. I could help them rest and have some comfort in their situation as it is... I feel so terrible for those folks... This is what i would really like to do for others and at the children's hospital as well.. These things would bring others great joy & smiles and HOPE... That is what i want to do... From brother Harvey ✝️🇺🇸🤠🪕🪕🪕

Once had to take a polygraph for a lawsuit I was a part of (woman who made a good living forcing car accidents - and other kinds - and then sued people). Now first I don't think a machine can read my mind. But as I was sitting there I used all the relaxation methods I had been taught in acting and music classes. Guy giving the polygraph thought I was cheating because nothing registered on the machine. This stuff works.

1. Another pseudo practice stage is doing a RU-vid live video of a few tunes. Maybe no one clicks and watches, maybe 10 people do for 30 seconds each, but it still triggers the experience. 2. 10% Happier is the meditation app I use (after having used the other two he mentioned in the past).

Once again, your insightful video was extremely inspiring and, as a matter of fact, it really helped me reinforce the connection between my mindfulness practice and my music one. You are a very positive human being, sharing great videos with the community, and for that, I am so very grateful! Keep 'em comin'! :-)

So concise and accessible, and it helps so much to know why something will help. Thanks very much. Having been picked on a lot as a kid I have a strongly conditioned response to doing anything in front of others that might be criticize-able. That so gets in my way playing music! I am convinced working on these practices will yield improvement.

So, so good. Thanks for sharing this with us!👍🪕

Wow.. really enjoyed listening to your insight and in depth thought process on this topic. I have not really had a problem performing in front of small gatherings of folks that felt at the very least, somewhat familiar, but performing for complete strangers was another matter. It wasn't until I posted a video on a little less public forum of folks that share in my love for traditional banjo where I received some affirmation, especially by someone I view as a mentor that I was able to start publicly posting performances. Even in the short time I've been posting videos I've slowly transitioned my thought process to where I don't worry or care so much of what others think that's I even post things that I know may not be very popular but may touch, or be helpful to someone. The power of the mind is a crazy thing.

This was so helpful! Thank you so much! 👍😊

These episodes are great listening 🙂

Thank you! This is great stuff... love the first strategy!

Amazing information endlessly applicable and I thank you!

Very grateful for the time and knowledge you share. I need to re-read everything you present at least three times before it fully soaks in, starting your book for the fourth time. It would be helpful if you produced an audio version of the book that I could listen to while driving. Don't give up on us dummies. Thanks

Hell, thank you for your course, it has got me unstuck after a long time. Practice with a metronome, and staying true to my place in the song, is very helpful. It was a major weak spot.

also, have a fresh approach to every piece, new ideas, don't change for the sake of changing just realize you will never play anything the same way twice but if you are enthused something is on the back burner. (sorry brain doctor) to me that defines improvisation, flexibility to add tonality/tempo and adapt to surroundings, audience/musicians. I got less nervous playing Xmas carols because it was familiar and enjoyable, thanks Josh

You are reading my mind! I just started jamming with other players and my fingers go blank with the break comes around to me or when I lead a song. It's like I haven't ever practiced. I will start incorporating your techniques today. Thank you!

It would be cool if you made a series of you learning to play left-handed. Episodes Talking about your learning process.

A dislike? Really?...

Why are children so free to show adults what they can do, and show off, with no hint of stage freight? Yet adults with much more preparation have this issue?

"decades of neuroscience has ... shown us that the concept of the self ... is just an illusion" - References / citations please ! Even a better: a review paper? Thanks!!!

All the techniques sound great and are logical but implementing them doesn't seem to work for me. Logic and emotion are seldom compatible. I play on my porch in the country and even if I hear a car come down the road I go into paralysis mode! When playing with someone competent I am insecure. I only had an opportunity to play with a friend maybe a half dozen times a year, a music teacher, and now he has moved so I'm on my own. He was non judgmental but I still freeze and that angers me because I know I can play. I can speak before large groups of people and have played another instrument (both solo and in a band) in front of hundreds of people without a second thought but the banjo always panics me. Of course I never played a string instrument before. Just don't get it. Maybe it's simply a lack of talent. :( Would ativan or booze work, LOL? Problem is I don't drink.