Hi, I've been brousing your forum and its been really helpful and encouraging. I learnt to play the violin as a little girl and I have only play it occasionally since. Until now, when I recently at the ripe old age of 46 have taken it up again and I've become obsessed with it! Just wished I could remember all I once learned!
Any way my friends are very musical and play alot of folk and irish stuff on instruments such as guitar or flute etc and I surprised them when I turned up recently with my fiddle as they didnt realise I could play.

Do any of you have any tips for over coming nerves when playing in front of others, for the last decade I have only played for my own amusement and the irritation of my immediate family, I always get really nervous and that causes me to make huge mistakes and them I completely go to pieces.

Start by youreslf, then play to your family, then play to friends you feel comfy with, (or better yet, as your friends are musical play *with* them, then you won't notice it as much) and just take it bit by bit until you feel at home. Cut yourself some slack as you are coming back to it after a long break and try first and foremost to enjoy yourself!

Thanks Elisabeth your right its about enjoying it, I keep taking it with me and joining in where I can, but to be honest my mates are gobsmacked that I can play something, I have known them and gone a long to their sessions for years and I never thought to tell them I could play! When I say play... I actually really mean I can make a few simple tunes sound reasonably sweet!

Well, that sounds good to me!