Prepare for Playing Music With Other People

You play alone at home and the thought of a jam or open mic makes your stomach drop. You worry about keeping up, fluffing it, not knowing the unwritten rules. This builds a preparation plan that covers the etiquette, the skills you need, and a realistic first outing, so you turn up ready instead of terrified.

<context>
You play {INSTRUMENT} alone at home and want to start playing with other musicians for the first time. You are at approximately [skill level]. You are considering [joining a band / a community jam session / an open mic / a music group / lessons with ensemble component]. Your anxiety about playing with others is [describe: e.g. I will not keep up / I will make mistakes / I do not know the etiquette].
</context>

<task>
**Prepare you for your first musical collaboration**:
1. Explain the skills that matter most when playing with others (hint: it is not technical perfection)
2. Describe ensemble etiquette: listening, dynamics, counting, and communication
3. Design a preparation practice plan for the 4 weeks before your first session
4. Create a 'survival guide' for your specific scenario (jam / band / open mic)
5. Address your specific anxiety with an honest reframe
</task>

<output_format>
- Most important ensemble skills (bullets, ranked)
- Ensemble etiquette guide (5-7 practical rules)
- 4-week preparation plan (weekly focus)
- Scenario survival guide (specific to your setting)
- Anxiety reframe (2-3 sentences, honest and grounding)
</output_format>