I think the most important thing about playing is to walk out with confidence, look the people right in the eye and say 'Here I am,' and go and do your thing. As soon as they know you're confident, they're confident. As long as you adjust to them you're not in trouble. You should eyeball them, find out what they want, and give it to them. They didn't pay to come out and look at the tapestries.
Interpretation
Confidence in one's abilities influences how others perceive you.
This quote by Les Paul emphasizes the critical role of confidence in performance and interaction. It asserts that projecting confidence not only helps in asserting oneself but also encourages the same confidence in others, thereby enhancing the overall experience and connection in any performance, whether it be artistic, professional, or personal. By understanding the audience's needs and adjusting accordingly, one can create a more impactful and engaging moment.
In practice
Use this quote before giving a presentation to boost your confidence.
Now I need to take a piece of wood and make it sound like the railroad track, but I also had to make it beautiful and lovable so that a person playing it would think of it in terms of his mistress, a bartender, his wife, a good psychiatrist - whatever.
My chops were not as fast... [but] I just learned more on what was in my mind than what was in my chops. I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it's the right one, and it will probably whip the guy with twenty notes
..I wanted to create music that was so different that my mother could tell me from anyone else
To say, 'well done' to any bit of good work is to take hold of the powers which have made the effort and strengthen them beyond our knowledge.
How can we not believe in the greatness of America? How can we not do what is right and needed to preserve this last best hope of man on Earth? After all our struggles to restore America, to revive confidence in our country, hope for our future - after all our hard-won victories earned through the patience and courage of every citizen - we cannot, must not, and will not turn. We will finish our job. How could we do less? We're Americans.
Live your days on the positive side of life, in tune with your most treasured values. And in each moment you'll have much to live for.
Let us then be up and doing, With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.
Don't let the mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.
If you don't set goals, you can't regret not reaching them.
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