marty, every time i play, i think about what i am doing, that is, self-awareness... i mean, it really keeps me from "letting it go", you know... and becoming natural. i believe everyone experiences this situation in the performing arts and you - in live mode - seem to have gotten away with it. got any tip? cheers, ray

No tips...you just have to believe in your ability and feeling toward what you are playing. I think it is much easier to just "let go" when you really like the music you are playing. If you are thinking chord names and modes while you are playing., how good of a song could it possibly be?