The biggest technique killer - Tension!

[@Jiri-z-Lipe]

Hey Steve. You seem to have stopped making these videos. So I just want to say that they are still incredibly helpful and insightful. You address all these issues with great wisdom and I always come back for more. Thank you, man.

[@SteveGilson]

Thank you, that's very kind of you to say so.

[@guitarhvac]

I've been playing for 25 years off and on..... When seeing advanced rock/blues players perform, it has always APPEARED AND SOUNDED aggressive/grinding. I'm learning otherwise as you mentioned in one section of this video... Even after being in multiple bands and playing a lot of gigs I am discovering relaxation is the key. Especially when trying stretch chords and learning to shred. I can "try and try and try" (aka "force") to make changes happen but until I realize tension is there and try to let it go, there is little to no progress!! Also, never heard of focal distonia until now. Interesting.

[@roberthughes7268]

I’m a martial arts instructor. I see this all the time. The pressure of not getting beat up and the body tense up and the mind is not free to adjust to the situation. It’s usually the ego of trying too hard. I’m just learning how to play the guitar, I see a lot of similarities. Just a different art. Very good video.

[@SteveGilson]

Yes there's a lot of similarities between being a performing musician and being a sports person. In fact I steal a lot of sports psychology and training research and apply it to being a musician because there is so much crossover.

[@satansatansatan]

this has been a problem for me in language learning as well. early on i'd get so nervous and tense i'd freeze up when speaking. i still get a lil jumpy when i first meet someone and have to speak but trying to stay loose and not worry really does help. probably applies to a lot of areas in life. thx for the advice.

[@gehanoates294]

Too man Steve much appreciated 👍🏿👏🏿

[@pcb8059]

I cant play my Flamenco nervous in front of a crowd. The sound of (my) tense Flamenco playing and complicated fingerstyles is hilariously bad and comical. It requires absolute relaxing of the right hand to micromanage the techniques that are needed. I gave up the stage 20 years ago for that reason. Im just dont have the personality that finds joy playing front of crowds. It didnt matter if I had played the song a hundred times, as soon as I got on stage, Id even forget midsong what I was doing. The smallest distraction and Id fail. Since the songs are all mostly muscle memory, it takes a particular type of zen zoning out i can never achieve in front of a crowd.

[@SteveGilson]

Yes I can understand that. My youngest daughter has an amazing voice, but hates the idea of performing for anyone. Me, I love to play when I can.

[@Jiri-z-Lipe]

I'm wired the same way unfortunately.