Hey there! Let’s talk about something that can seriously up your game: playing guitar by feel to get in the zone, every single time. You know stage presence when you see it, right? And when you hear it, too. It’s that invisible magic that makes everyone look up and listen to a performer. Some people have a head start on it, but you can totally train to play in a way that instantly grabs people's attention.
Forget the Hype, Embrace the Feel
Stage presence is a kind of confidence, but it’s not the "Nike commercial" type of confidence. It's not about giving yourself a pep talk to convince yourself you’re invincible. Real stage presence is more like the absence of worry. It’s not about psyching yourself up or getting rid of fear. It’s about knowing that things can go wrong—and that’s totally fine. Music that truly touches people comes from feeling deeply, not from pretending everything is perfect. Instead of lying to yourself , you admit our vulnerability and channel it into our performance. It makes everything more personal and relatable. The trick is learning how to handle the intensity of being on stage.
The Secret Sauce: Don't Rush Yourself
One of the biggest secrets to stage presence and confidence? Not rushing yourself. I’m not just talking about keeping the beat—this is an internal thing. Time can feel like it’s pressing on you when you step on stage. You might feel the urge to set up faster, say something witty, play faster or louder, anything to fill that deafening silence. This can lead to rushing through your performance, strumming too hard, or gripping the neck of your guitar like it’s a lifeline. If you don’t give your music the right attention, your audience won’t either.
To build stage presence, you need to be who you are, as you are, and just... not rush.
Practice Not Rushing, Wherever You Are
So, how do you practice this? Every time you start to play, whether you're in your band studio, music room, or bedroom, start by taking your time, every time. This is very simple – and that's why it's so hard to do. One of the reasons it's so hard is because when you're practicing you often want so much from the music. You're impatient. You want to be great, already. You want to already know the song, the lick, the set. Get it as fast as you can. But stage presence comes from depth and by that I mean being able to be right there with the music, even if you feel like you’ve got to get it RIGHT NOW. Here's a tip: hold steady, even when you want more from the music than you think it has to offer. It’s easy to forget that the music is already rich. Sound, itself, is very rich.
Listen Like a Pro
Great musicians always talk about the importance of listening, and it puzzled me for the longest time. Listening isn’t just about making sure you're hitting the right notes; it’s about receiving the sound as you create it. This keeps you grounded in the moment, letting you play without struggling. You always hear the great musicians say this. I always wondered what they were talking about, myself. "Of course I'm listening! I couldn't play if I weren't listening!" But they're not talking about listening to make sure you're dotting your "i"s and crossing your "t"s. They're talking about receiving the sound while you're making it. That steadies you, even if the music is the craziest stuff in the world!
Does this mean you’ll never make mistakes? Nope.
Does this mean you’ll never be nervous? Hopefully not.
Does this mean everyone will love your music and you’ll get rich and famous? I think you see where this is going...
But it does mean you can "slow down time" when you're anxious. You’ll be able to handle bad audio monitoring, find your way into the zone, and reset even when things don't go as planned. It means you can adjust to any situation, in the moment to get into the zone and play your best at that moment in that situation.
Getting in the Zone
When you learn to listen like this, you can get in the zone on stage. You’ll get so good at it that you can snap into the zone faster and faster. You'll sense your audience's energy and respond to it in real-time.
A Tangible Practice
Now, I know this might sound a bit abstract, so let’s make it more tangible. It often helps to start with our hands, right there on the guitar. Noticing how our hands feel when you play is a direct way to get in the zone. Forming a habit of being aware of your hands can improve your technique and build a sturdy sense of confidence. That feeling of solidity translates directly into stage presence.
Feel the Difference
When you focus on the feel, everything changes. Your tone gains depth and richness, making your sound more captivating. People will naturally be drawn to your music because it commands attention. This is where the magic happens—your confidence and authentic stage presence shine through. Your attentive listening helps your audience listen more deeply, creating a magnetic performance.
Make It a Daily Practice
To really embed this into your playing, I’ve created several daily practices to help you connect to your sense of feel and clear your mind. These exercises will show you the benefits within a single practice session. Learning how your hand works—how to fret a note, play a chord, or nail a lick—is the first step to getting in the zone at will.
Start Now
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your guitar and start paying attention to the feel. Notice how your hands interact with the strings. Practice not rushing every time you play. Listen like you’re receiving the sound, not just creating it.
If you haven’t downloaded the free exercise I created for you Play Guitar By Feel download it now. This exercise will guide you through the process of connecting with your sense of feel and listening in a new way. It’s the first step toward achieving that effortless, confident stage presence we all strive for.
Download the Free Exercise Now
By practicing these techniques, you’ll find yourself becoming more confident and connected with your music. And remember, this isn’t about making everything perfect or precious. Whether you’re playing a solo acoustic gig or rocking out with your band, these principles apply to any style, any level, and any instrument.
So go ahead, download the free exercise, and start your journey to playing by feel and getting in the zone every time. Your stage presence will thank you!