Introduction: Hi, I’m Oscar, and I Have a Confession

Hey there! My name’s Oscar, and I’ve been a ‘bedroom guitarist’ for 37 years. That’s right, I’ve been strumming away in my room for nearly four decades, and I’ve only played in public twice. The first time was a complete disaster—I actually threw up from nerves (no wonder I didn’t want to experience that again). The good news is that I didn’t puke the second time around, so I guess that’s progress!

The Lonely Road of a Bedroom Musician

I started playing guitar alone in my room, and as technology advanced, I became more self-sufficient. Need a drummer? I got a rhythm machine. Need a bass line? I picked up a bass guitar and used my guitar knowledge to figure it out, and so on. Bit by bit, I became a one-man band. But as much as I enjoyed the autonomy, I eventually realized that I was missing out on something important—the experience of playing in front of an audience.

Now, one of my kids, my youngest son, has also taken an interest in music. I’ve noticed him following in my footsteps, becoming a solitary bedroom musician like me. As a dad, I started thinking—maybe it’s time to break this cycle.

Stage Fright and the Battle Against Fear

One of the main reasons I’ve avoided playing in public is good old stage fright. The thought of people criticizing me, noticing my mistakes, or judging my skills has always terrified me. But when I saw my son heading down the same path, I knew I had to teach him something important: sometimes, you’ve got to face your fears head-on. If you let fear control you, it becomes a defense mechanism—a way to shield yourself from potential hurt. But defense mechanisms, while protective at first, eventually become limiting. They stop you from growing, and I believe we’re all meant to grow, to reach our full potential.

I recently heard Buddy Guy, the 88-year-old blues legend, say something that really stuck with me: ‘You can’t please everybody. Some people are going to like you, and some people aren’t. All you can do is give them what you’ve got and think, “take it or leave it.”‘ That’s some serious wisdom right there. I wish I’d heard it years ago.

Taking the Leap: Entering a Talent Show

A few months ago, the university where I teach photography held a talent show called “Talent UP.” It was open to everyone—teachers, students, you name it. I thought this might be my chance to play in public again, so I signed up. The moment I did, I thought I was out of my mind. But what kept me going was the thought of setting an example for my son. It wasn’t about playing perfectly—it was about facing my fears.

I’ve always loved Carlos Santana’s style, and I’ve been playing his piece “Flor d’Luna” (Moonflower) for years. My first thought was to play that because I know it like the back of my hand. But then, another idea crept in—what if I challenged myself to learn something new? I had about 8 weeks to prepare, and while it wasn’t a lot of time, I decided to go for it.

The Challenge: Learning Something New

After much thought, I settled on the “Top Gun Anthem.” The movie “Top Gun: Maverick” had just come out, and it was a huge success, so I figured the theme might resonate with the audience. Plus, when I started learning it, it felt surprisingly familiar, like I was meant to play it.

The solo in the “Top Gun Anthem” is tricky, though. It’s fast and requires some complex fingerwork. At one point, I thought I’d made a mistake. But then I watched a bunch of videos of Steve Stevens, the original guitarist, playing the anthem live. I realized that even he didn’t play it exactly like the recording, so I gave myself permission to adapt the solo to my style. I simplified the difficult parts and added my own touches, making the piece my own.

Preparing for the Big Day: Tone and Technique

Next, I focused on getting the right tone. I researched everything—what guitar Steve Stevens used, his amp, his effects—everything.

I started with an EVH Wolfgang Standard QM in Chlorine Burst, which had a lot going for it. However, I found the sound a bit too muffled, with not enough brightness in the higher frequencies. Plus, the Floyd Rose only allowed dive bombs downward, but the solo I was working on required some serious whammy bar action both up and down. So, the search continued. But before I get to the guitar that nailed it, let me tell you about the BOSS GT-1 multi-effects pedal I discovered. It’s portable, battery-operated, and helped me nail that Steve Stevens sound almost perfectly.

While researching the best guitar to capture the Top Gun Anthem sound, I discovered that Steve Stevens recorded the track with a Charvel. Lucky for me, I came across the Charvel Pro Mod Style 1 San Dimas HSS FR. Not only did it nail the tone for my performance, but it also turned out to be the most versatile and comfortable guitar I’ve ever played—perfect for the stage and beyond.

The Moment of Truth

I played that piece relentlessly, day in and day out for months, until it became second nature.

When the day of the talent show finally came, I was ready. The sound check went smoothly, and everything felt spot on. But as the auditorium filled up and the first performers—students and even several teachers—took the stage, panic hit me hard. I had completely forgotten just how insanely talented the students from the Music School were. The Universidad Panamericana boasts one of the finest private university music schools in Latin America, with top-notch faculty and students who have a really high level of proficiency. No newbies or newcomers here—only those with years of dedicated study on their instruments are accepted into the program. I was surrounded by incredible musicians—students and teachers alike. I started to think, ‘What the heck am I doing here?’

Showtime: Overcoming the Jitters

But then I reminded myself—people were there to have a good time, not to criticize. I focused on entertaining the audience for those three minutes, doing what I’d prepared to do. My knees were shaking as I walked on stage, but once the music started, I got into the groove.

When I stood on that stage, I knew the piece so well that I didn’t have to think about it. I just let the music flow. There’s a concept in Taoism called “wu wei,” which means “action without effort.” That’s what it felt like—just letting it happen. And even if I made a mistake, I kept going, knowing that the audience probably wouldn’t even notice.

So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember this: keep pushing forward. Don’t let a small mistake derail you. Trust in all the preparation you’ve put in. As they say in the military: ‘Rely on your training.’

Something unexpected happened during the performance—people started clapping and cheering right in the middle of the song! At first, it threw me off a bit, not something I’m used to when practicing alone in my bedroom. But it also felt incredible. By the time I finished, the applause was deafening. I couldn’t believe it—I had actually pulled it off.

Conclusion: Beyond Expectations

At the end of the contest, all the performers gathered on stage as the judges began announcing the awards for categories like most original performance, best junior performer, and so on. I was genuinely content just being there—it didn’t feel like a competition to me. For me, it was about performing in front of an audience and overcoming my fears. That was all that mattered. Then came the big announcement: ‘And first place goes to…’ In what felt like a surreal moment, still a bit hazy in my memory, they called my name. As people started patting my shoulders and congratulating me, it finally hit me—I had won first place!

Yes, I won, but more importantly, I learned that facing your fears is always worth it. I shared this moment with my son, hoping he’d see the value in stepping out of his comfort zone. I’ve received many accolades throughout my academic career, but this one holds a special place in my heart. It’s a reminder that the biggest victories aren’t always about being perfect—they’re about having the courage to show up and try.

So, if you’re facing something that scares you, trust me—preparation, discipline, and a bit of bravery can take you further than you ever thought possible.