• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

[my] Talent Forge - Expert Fiddle Lessons

Online fiddle lessons and training featuring hundreds of fiddle lessons from expert instructors, including old-time, bluegrass, swing, celtic and more. Over 700 lessons for one low monthly fee.

  • Enroll
  • About
  • Lessons
    • The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes
    • The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes
  • Contact
    • Support
    • Teacher Info Request
  • Login
    • Reset My Password
  • My Account
    • My Bookmarks

More Lessons...

Filter by Instrument
Filter by Difficulty
You are here: Home / Lessons / What It’s All About – Quick Practice Tip

What It’s All About – Quick Practice Tip

Teacher: Vi Wickam

About What It’s All About – Quick Practice Tip:

For more lessons on Overcoming Performance anxiety and being your best on stage, check out Doc Wallace’s Peak Performance Series.

Hi I’m Vi Wickam and this is another myTalentForge.com Quick Tip of the Week!

Focus on having fun on stage.

Now, you may think, “But it’s nerve-racking when I’m on stage!” Or whatever story you’ve told yourself about what the experience of being on stage is.

You’ve got some stories you’re telling yourself about what it’s like to be on stage that you’ve created in your brain.

I’ve been playing on stage now for probably 35 or 36 years. So you may think, “He’s really old!” as a result of that statement, but I was playing at ice cream socials at church when I was 3, 4, or 5 years old and it was always a fun experience because I was getting to play music with my dad and my grandpa.

And that was fun!

It was never something where I was putting on a performance for the people. Sure- I enjoyed their feedback, their energy, and their smiling, because the audience wants to support you.

But, it was a fun experience because I was having fun with my dad and my grandpa. And that was something I associated in my mind with fun.

If you can frame this as, “I’m going to have fun making music with my friends, then you’re not worried about the audience.

Because here’s what the secret is- if you’re having fun, the audience will be having fun. The audience enjoys it automatically because you’re communicating fun to them.

You’re having fun and they’re thinking, “Man, I wish I could be on stage having fun like them! That would be really hard for me, but they’re able to do it; they’re able to have so much fun! I’m instantly drawn in as an audience member to the fun that you’re having!”

So, you can view this as, “I get to have fun with my friends on stage.”

The audience will be drawn in automatically.

Now, if you don’t believe me, try it out! Just get on stage and goof! Goof off with your friends and have fun!

And you will not believe the audience response. It will totally change the way you interact with your audience.

Now, something else you might enjoy on myTalentForge.com, that’s along these lines is Dr. David Wallace has put together a set of Quick Performance Tips that are called The Peak Performance Series.

They’re about how to get the most out of yourself when you’re on stage and when you’re practicing… For just another thing to keep in mind.

Thank you so much for being here, this is another myTalentForge Quick Tip and I will see you soon!

About Vi Wickam

Vi Wickam of Loveland, CO has been performing fiddle and writing music since before he could read. Along with his brothers and dad, The Wickam Family Band performed regularly on Blinky’s Fun Club, a nationally syndicated TV program.

Vi’s fiddling can be heard on numerous CD recordings, including two of his own. He’s played with many different bands throughout the United States, and even briefly in England.

Among his fiddling honors, Vi has won the Colorado State Championship twice, and been a finalist four times at the Grand Masters’ Fiddler Championship. He has judged fiddle contests throughout the US, and directed regional and state level fiddle contests.

Join Talent Forge to learn tunes from Vi.

Reader Interactions

Click here to cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question, or would like to get a critique on your playing, this is the place to ask it!

Ask a Teacher

Get the Most of [my] Talent Forge

If you are new to [my] Talent Forge, or would like a refresher on the features, and how to get the most out of your membership, read our Getting Started Guide.

Get Help

If you are having a problem, or have a suggestion for us, let us know on our feedback and support page.

Footer

  • Signup for [my] Talent Forge
  • Teacher Profiles
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Terms of Service
  • Free Lessons
  • Fiddle Lessons
  • Violin Lessons
  • Guitar Lessons
  • Mandolin Lessons
  • Member Login
  • Contact Support
  • Knowledge Base
  • Teacher Resources

  • Enroll
  • About
  • Lessons
  • Contact
  • Login
  • My Account

Copyright © 2023 Talent Forge, LLC · All Rights Reserved