I want to improve my ability to play flawlessly in live situations. I have quite high skills in guitar yet I seem to make quite a fair amount of slip ups whilst playing for friends and in performances.
What are good methods to perfect simple guitar pieces?
You need to practice playing in front of people. It needs practice just like any other part of doing music. Playing in shopping malls for charity is an excellent way to get your live skills sharp. Also playing a few hours in local tourist traps for tips is another way to get sharp.
I'm of the opinion that there is no such thing as a bad gig. Take every crappy show you can get (even if pays little or nothing) and see it as a means to get a good act together. Playing to ungrateful audiences and getting paid little or nothing is all part of paying ones dues.
I used to have the same problem at my first live performances. What I tried to do was to stay concentrated on what I was playing, so as to make less mistakes.
It can be hard when you are trying to dance/jump/whatever not to make mistakes,but it can get used to.
You can also try to do that at home alone. Play standing up and try to do what you do when you are performing in front of other people, so as to get it perfect.
I would say the most important thing is to practice really really good what you want to play and try to stay as concentrated as you can on what you play during the gig.
