I'm supposed to be busking tomorrow. We practiced today, and I have some easy duets. The problem is, whenever I seem to play in groups, I just can't play anything. Even easy stuff I slip up on. I feel so stupid, and if it all goes wrong tomorrow, it's my fault, as my friend is very good flautist who can just play anything.

I'm now wondering why I even said yes

That doesn't make you stupid Nicki - you're probably just trying so hard to make sure everything's perfect that you slip up here and there. It's possible that if you worry less about playing perfectly (as your friend probably knows how good you are anyway, so you've got nothing to prove) then you'll play even more fantastically . Also, obviously I've not heard you play before, but you're perhaps being more critical to yourself than anyone would be if they were listening to you, so don't worry about 'letting anyone down'; chances are they won't even notice

I don't know. I just feel stupid - she's waiting for me to get a fingering right, or coming in correctly.

I'm sure she doesn't think it's as bad as you do, and anyway, she's your friend so she shouldn't mind even if it does take you a few seconds to get round something. Patience is a virtue, as they say

Doesn't make me feel any better.

Hmm...I must be losing my touch then (perhaps it's because I don't know how difficult playing the flute is...). . All I can say then is that I hope it goes ok tomorrow

You said yes Nicki, 'cos you want to go out and enjoy busking.

And seeing as you're an ultra-talented flautist (Miss Ross, I've both heard Nicki play and conducted her in a group on more than one occasion), I'm sure you'll do well, have fun and enjoy yourself.

I'll try. It'll be quite hard anyway, as we don't really have suitable duets. We have a couple of books worth but they're not really well known, so I am looking for some more.

The music isn't even hard though - I just freeze for some reason!

NF Sounds like you are nervous and anxious. Its a bit like the first day at school. You are entering the unknown. Just like that first day at school this too will pass and you will do it again and again. It will get better

I know! I just can't play in groups - in my county orchestra, I'm already dreading tour which is in August - I can't play solo parts in a group, and have to do this massive solo part.

Some people when I am playing with them, I feel really relaxed, but that's not many people, even if they're lovely people.

Hope the weather is better where you are than in the not so sunny south west at the moment! Enjoy it.

Well, a kind shop owner has said they'll put their awning out if it does start raining.

Don't be so negative!!!! You'll be fine!!

I know that you would be happier if you were 100% perfect at your duets but the important thing is to have fun while busking!

And anyways, half the people who are going to hear you play aren't going to have a clue about whether you're playing the piece right or not. Have fun!!

That is true...if there are any people!

Of course there will be people....they will be flocking (not sure if that is the right word! ) to listen to you!!

What, we'll get a herd of sheep?

Well, it depends what the weather does...and whether I play the notes right.

If you tried busking where Aileen and I live you litrally would get a herd of sheep.

I'm sure it'll go fine.

Well we're playing in a French market...so we could get some snails crawling along to watch

Slightly off topic, but it might cheer you up a bit more Nicki!

A snail goes to a car manufactures and asks for his car to be painted, with an S on each door, the bonnet and the boot. The salesman agrees, but asks 'why?'. The snail replies - 'So that when I'm driving down the road, people will look at think - 'look at that s-car-go'

(Here's hoping you do french...)

Anyway, I'm sure snails would make a fantastic audience, and they certainly wouldn't notice if you happened to miss a few notes

Do snails crawl?! I'd always think of it as more of a slide, or maybe slither.

'Though those two look as though they might just call a taxi.

dont' worry - some of the buskers I've seen have been genuine rubbish and even if you're as good as Joshua Bell they may not stop and listen (remember that thread?)

Wow, I like that


True, but I hope I don't make a mess of it.

Where's the French market taking place?

Have PMed you

Good luck!

Good luck, Nicki. I am sure a lot of people will be cheered up by your playing today.

IT actually was really fun. I just modified the bits I couldn't do, and we sounded good. We made £130 in 3.5 hours ish. Lots of people said how our playing cheered the day up, considering the weather was awful. A couple of people took down our numbers too.

Well done Nicki!!

Great job Nicki!

Go Nicki!!!

WOW!!!

Well done. That's really good. Hey you were looking for a part time job You could do more busking at that rate

(See you were worrying for nothing (again!))

Yes, my friend and I are thinking of doing more busking

yay! Well done!

Well done, Nicki!

Well done.

Do you need any sort of permit/permission to busk?

It depends where - you have to ask the council.

Glad that it went well - you should go again!

We're looking for suitable places.