How do you get out of the "I know I'm going to stuff that up" mind set?
Thanks wilson -yes and no. I was pretty much doing what you suggested - but it you do it over and over and fail each time - you're just prone to incorporate that into you muscle memory....I had to really work out how to do it properly first. Now the rest is coming with practice...
You're SOoooo right about that. I heard Neil telling someone to go only as fast as you can play the slowest part. (in a fly on the wall lesson I think, and in Don't Fear The Reaper too) Your muscle memory will develop (with REPETITION) whether you play something fast or slow. And once it does, AND you quit using the cheat sheet, You'll be able to play it fast(er). But I have the hardest time slowing down the rest, in order to play the tough part smooth... It's ALMOST harder for me to slow down the easier part, than to actually play the tougher part.
I've been playing a song once all the way through and then playing the bits that I fluff on over and over and over,..... (you get the point) one at a time until it becomes a chant and I've got no idea how many times i've played it - or I'm landing it and/or my brain hurts, or I just get sick of it. Seems to work.