JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Getting over the fear?

Colin, I would like to respectfully suggest that closing eyes can do the opposite. From what I've seen at coffee houses, the ones that do that come across as fearful or timid, just like when talking to someone, and they look away with having very little or no contact. Eye contact is the greatest form of presenting one's inner character. It can only enhance the songs, while the closing of them can cause disconnect. Passion comes across only when it's real. That can come in the way someone plays and sings,,,from their feeling it so strongly. The eyes can also show how much the performer cares about the people there, caring enough to be engaged "with" them the whole time. That two way connection is strongest with eye contact. It says, Welcome to my world of these songs and me. And I hope I am also welcomed.

I saw my neighbor play at is first coffee house night, and he shut his eyes for most of the songs. Some people watching him just started to "also" look away. It was boring for them I guess, having no connection visually, other than seeing his eye lids! He sounded good. But there was nothing to see but a person closing his eyes. He did appear bashful. Not a good way to look!

I told him about that, and since, he learned to look at people just like hi does when he talks. (A real charmer). He was instantly better received after that, and went on to front one of the area's most successful cover/original bands. He said it was much easier to feel more into the whole scene too. When seeing darkness, sometimes that's all the watcher sees too. Also, you can't move around when your eyes are closed! Good for the studio, not for when in front of other eyes. Give them the same respect.

Robbie, I would suggest to look around at everyone, (starting with that one person in your livingroom as practice), and think of him/her, then in the coffee houses, "them all" as being friends. They soon will be when giving them the respect of looking at them with caring passion, not shutting them out.

Hope I didn't offend you, Colin. Just giving my point of view of it, from these eyes! Ha ha