<![CDATA[Brooke Wesson - Guitar Instructor - Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Brooke Wesson - Guitar Instructor - Blog]]>Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:03:09 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Belize 2012]]>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:50:46 GMThttp://www.brookewesson.com/1/post/2012/08/belize-2012.html

Each year I go to southern Belize and lead worship (as well as leading the team) for the Awaken Belize Conference. This was my 3rd year and I love the people and my time down there so much, that I write this in a state of melancholy - I miss everyone so much and had a very hard time returning to the States.

We saw God move tremendously - salvations and healings happened every night of the conference. The church we work with down there was incredible and we saw leadership and participation this year from the local church members that surpassed all the prior years. We saw lots of fruit, lots of changed lives. We saw a baby healed from a club foot one night. God's peace and presence was tangible every night. The trip was incredible and life changing and I'm so grateful for my friends and family that sent me, and my students that allowed me to take 2 weeks off to go. Thank you to everyone that gave, attended my benefit concerts, bought auction items, CD's and guitar string bracelets. Your partnership made this trip happen and each salvation, healing and changed life you are a part of.

]]><![CDATA[It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year]]>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:06:11 GMThttp://www.brookewesson.com/1/post/2011/12/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year.htmlThe Christmas recital is coming up. To say this is my favorite recital of the year is an understatement! I love Christmas music and I love seeing students perform some of their favorite holiday songs. The explosion of cuteness is almost too much to handle and on Friday, Dec 16th at 7:30 pm you can see for yourself. There will be 9 students performing from ages 8-16 and we will be singing carols and eating yummy desserts following the recital. If you haven't purchased your admission yet, please click here to get your tickets via Paypal. It's going to be a blast!
]]><![CDATA[Belize Mission Trip Photos]]>Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:10:18 GMThttp://www.brookewesson.com/1/post/2010/08/belize-mission-trip-photos.htmlA couple of photos from my recent mission trip to Belize, leading worship for the Awaken Belize Youth Conference

]]><![CDATA[BELIZE 2010]]>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:10:03 GMThttp://www.brookewesson.com/1/post/2010/08/belize-2010.htmlI Just returned from leading worship at a 4 day youth conference in Belize. What an experience. The load in and setup for the conference took about 3 days and the conference itself was amazing. The band I played with was actually different musicians from Texas and Belize. I was in awe of how well everything came together and how well we played considering we were an international team that met for the first time 2 days before the conference, God will always make up the difference when we are lacking. The band played like we had known each other and played together for a year, not 2 days. It's an experience I will never forget. I love being a worship leader.
]]><![CDATA[Thoughts On Playing Live]]>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.brookewesson.com/1/post/2010/06/first-post.htmlOne of the most daunting yet exhilarating things for a musician to do is perform in front of people. Whether that be their own material, or songs other people have written, the thought of playing live can make even an extrovert like myself break a cold sweat.
This morning, after playing for a group of people at church, I was struck how new the experience feels each time, even though I've been performing for ten years.
Here are some thoughts I want to recall and also share with you dear readers, about what to do when you are performing:

Relax - if your shoulders, neck, arms and back are tense, it will greatly affect your playing. Deep breaths and finding ways to calm your nerves before stepping on stage are vital. Most of the time the mistakes I make while playing live are directly related to being too tense.
Be Prepared - This will also play into my main point. Being unprepared will turn you into a bundle of nerves. Practice, practice, practice your set list until muscle memory kicks in. Know it blind. For a performer to do a solid job while playing the guitar and simultaneously singing, you must know your material front and back
Enjoy the moment- some people get so freaked out by being on stage, they never experience the joy it is to interact and engage the audience. When people hear and respond to your music, it is one of the most energizing things. It's a natural high. So don't rob yourself by being so inward focused that you miss the connection with those you are playing for.
Get into a groove- this one is very hard to pinpoint, but it's almost as if your entire body is in the rhythm of your instrument and you are in the players zone. Every lick sounds delicious, every chord rings true and all your notes are perfection. When you have a groove, you know it. You are relaxed, yet intent on your playing and you feel the music inside of you
Be You - love what you are playing. Don't focus on the mechanics as much as the passion of playing itself. Singing and performing your own material or material that resonates is one of the best ways to connect with your audience.

]]>