|
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | My wife is urging me to play a couple of songs at local, very low key coffee house. The thought terrifies me. I was at the winter jam and could not make it through a song I can play in my sleep at home because I was nnnnneerrrvvvouuuss.
I watched Brad and Brian play at an open mic and they have a very relaxed fun attitude that escapes me.
Do you just dive in? Does confidence come quickly or slowly after many outings.
I can play OK and I don't think my voice would detract from the songs too much but...
I have no problems playing in church as I am one of many and I can hide behind the piano :) .
Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Try finding a "partner-in-crime": if you can get comfortable rehearsing some tunes and achieving a level of "repeatablity" just one-on-one, you'll have a support structure when you take the show on the road. Worked for me! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| You're already "playing out" if you're playing in your church band. Just dive in (worked for me). As Matt says "ain't no problem 100 gigs won't cure." |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Rich, I know exactly how you feel. My first time was a bit of a disaster and it wasn't even really my own doing (faulty house cables which due to my inexperience caused me to freeze up. I did finish the next 3 songs mistake free)
Anyway, the one thing that helped me and was told to me by many experienced musicians is that the Audience WANTS you to succeed. They WANT you to do well and they RARELY "hear" a mistake unless YOU make it obvious by stopping or doing something additionally that makes them aware of it (Making a face, groaning....) Play through it
The first one is the hardest,get through that and you will be fine. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | My only advise is..
It's ok to feel "butterflies" when you get on stage.... just get them suckers to fly in formation and you'll be fine. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Start when you're 4 years old. By the time you sign your first contract at 9, there's nothing to it. Incidently, you never want to be so comfortable in front of an audience that you take your performance totally for granted. You'll be flat and the audience will know it. A few butterflies during your opening number never hurt anybody. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Thanks for the advise guys, it is appreciated. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I'm thinking of doing some open mics myself. I'm not too worried about being nervous up there...I'm more worried about forgetting lyrics, which I seem to do more and more these days. Does anyone out there use cheat sheets on stage? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by dark bar:
Does anyone out there use cheat sheets on stage? Abso-effing-lutely. Nothing wrong with that. Cliff has a neat device (looks like a Kindle) made specifically for that - load all your music/lyrics/chord sheets in pdf. Or, as Dave just pointed out a couple days ago, you can do a similar thing with the iPad (although that doesn't yet have a stand adapter). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Twisted... there is only one advice: Just do it! You will never ever regret it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | if you are not nervous then you have a problem.
focus your eyes on the tip of the microphone that way you will not see the audience and can concentrate on what you are doing.
if is nice to look out from time to time and see smiles though |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by alpep:
if is nice to look out from time to time and see smiles though or the angry villagers so that you will have time to plan your escape. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Can't imaging playing out. I get nervous just recording (video) myself playing in the comfort of my own home. The easiest songs I have played 100 times somehow I forget.
So I have no advice for you :-) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I've said it before....I'm more nervous playing in front of a camera than I am a live audience. Don't know why that is??? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | All good advise so far.
About cheat sheets... If you are Cliff (shudder) and are doing a gazillion songs some level of cheat sheets are needed. If you are just doing 2 or 3 songs it's best, in my experience, not to use them. As weird as it sounds, cheat sheets have goofed me up at times. You'd think... If I get lost all I gotta do look down and I'm safe... Not so easy. In that brief instant it takes to look down and find your place, bad, bad things can and will happen. You're asking your brain to do one more thing when it's already plenty busy.
In the few days before play the songs over & over & over until you are sick of them. That way by the time you get up there the chords and words are not a problem and you can use the extra effort to act like you still enjoy the tune.
My worst real life nightmare was drawing a blank on the first words in Pretty Women. It don't get much worse than that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Most important to remember is that the answer is NOT alcohol. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| You're asking the wrong question, then.
(Seriously, tho, Clive is right. No more than 1 beer to calm the nerves a bit. Any more than that & you're guaranteed to screw up) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 247
Location: Delaware | Originally posted by schroeder:
Most important to remember is that the answer is NOT alcohol. Oh yes it is ! But it must be administered in large doses to the members of the audience. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Rich... Play a song at Huber. After that a coffee house will be a piece of cake. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | write out the words
then leave them at home
bring your favorite pick
and loose it on your way to the stage
don't bother to tune
have the wrong strap so you have to sit in an uncomfortable chair
then say fuck it and just do it anyway |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4075
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Beal:
write out the words
then leave them at home
bring your favorite pick
and loose it on your way to the stage
don't bother to tune
have the wrong strap so you have to sit in an uncomfortable chair
then say fuck it and just do it anyway Is that a lost verse from "Ironic"? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | nice flysig
nice :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by Beal:
write out the words
then leave them at home
bring your favorite pick
and loose it on your way to the stage
don't bother to tune
have the wrong strap so you have to sit in an uncomfortable chair
then say fuck it and just do it anyway EXACTLY what happened to me at Amelia ... but you gotta add that you need to play someone else's guitar that has no fret markers and the side dots are the same color as the binding and there are no lights on the stage except for floor lamps and the music stand. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Did ya break a string as well? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | As a matter of fact, I did. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
My only advise is..
It's ok to feel "butterflies" when you get on stage.... just get them suckers to fly in formation and you'll be fine. That's the best one I've heard in a long time! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | It all sounds good, thanks. Me thinks I will pick out 4 songs and play them all week until I am sick of them...look at the mic and not the audience and play as if nobody cares. It sounds like a plan anyway.
I think I have to get a mic just to get used to singing in one as I have only done it once before and backed off when I heard my amplified voice.
I just watched Melissa Etheridge on Oprah and if she can play cowboy cords with an average voice...well so can I!
No cheat sheets...train wreck...thanks Brad. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Rich, check out the place and see what the atmosphere is. Look for a place with an encouraging type crowd.
The OFC gatherings are great for this. It wasn't even 2 years ago I played and sang in front of people I didn't know, and that was up here at an OFC event that Mr. Ovation and his his wonderful SWMBO hosted.
A few weeks after the meetup I tried my first open mic. Here's a blow by blow of the eve...
First Open Mic
Everyone here was a big help, but so were the people that were running the open mic that night. They were very encouraging, and so were the other people that were performing. As a matter of fact, the drummer that played with me that night is the drummer in both my bands now, so it's all worked out really well. Now if I can just get him to keep a meter. Max gets excited.
It'll get easier every time. I forgot lyrics and chords galore for a long time, and sometime I still do. Don't worry about it, just play through and next time it'll be that much easier.
Just do it. Next thing you know, you'll be looking calm cool and collected just like everyone else. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Yeah, practice singing into a mic for sure |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | First open mic I played, I felt like I left a HUGE puddle on the floor., I got over it, went back the next week, and then necame one of the regulars... Still love it.
STeve |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I played a gig once where it was so hot there was an actual puddle of sweat on the floor below me. the guy sitting in with us was getting shocks from the same puddle with his guitar.
crazy days |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 548
Location: Up North | Do you think it's better to pick a little more obscure selection of tunes for an open mike, or ones that everybody knows?
I'm just thinking if the tunes are a little less well known, people might not notice the errors. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by alpep:
there was an actual puddle of sweat on the floor below me.
crazy days similar experience except it was beer and booze |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Grif:
Do you think it's better to pick a little more obscure selection of tunes for an open mike, or ones that everybody knows? .
We always try try to bring something we have not heard anyone else play before.
After hearing somebody do "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" or "Behind Blue Eyes" for the 10th time, I'm about done with it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by nikon4004:
First open mic I played, I felt like I left a HUGE puddle on the floor., I got over it, went back the next week, and then necame one of the regulars... Still love it.
STeve I'm just hoping it was sweat, like others are assuming. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | I just remind myself that we are fortunate enough to live in a country and during a time where performers are rarely killed and eaten.
Puts things in perspective, then I just go play the set. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Just go for it...and enjoy yourself! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 14
Location: New Jersey | No matter what, Act like your having fun and KEEP SMILING!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...seems like it's about time for my Annual Commercial:
Start playing for a local Convalescent Home facility. The residents appreciate and enjoy ANY effort you extend and it truly is a blessing, both for them and you as a performer. Contact the Activities Director and offer FREE entertainment for about 30-minutes at their schedule and you'll be in!
You will gain valuable "playinginlivefrontofpeople" experience and they will have a great time!
Try it, you might just find your niche! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | All good tips. Great idea Tim. I would imagine some songs that the older generation was familiar with might be called for?
I shoulda played Friday night like my wife said. I went to the coffee house and I was amongst friends and probably could have pulled it off. I will be out of town on the next one so I may end up waiting another couple months. On the positive I have had an offer for a "parnter in crime" and am looking forward to that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ....just remember that in only a few short years, the most requested song in the Convalescent Homes will be "Stairway"! :eek: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by alpep:
if you are not nervous then you have a problem. That's EXACTLY what I have been telling folks for years!
Seriously, the first times can be rough. Know your material the best you can but even then one can have a severe, instant emptying of the mind. In the older days I would freeze up terribly. The band would go on and my mind would race like a freakin' computer looking for lost info. But it usually never came. It took me a long time to really relax and just keep on going. Now, if I forget something? So what. Sometimes I'll mumble the lyrics I might forget, wander off on a lead, whatever. It's only a blip. But I'd say keep it simple and short. If it goes bad just laugh it off. Life goes on and embarrassment builds character. It is fun though once you get past the first couple times and it gets inside you. It's funny though, I would also rather play for 1000 strangers than 10 friends or family.
I am also in 100% agreement with playing live vs audio or video recording. Totally can't do anything right. I believe it's all about thinking too hard. Always best when things just flow.
But most of all, do do it. You'll always wish you had, even if it's awful. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Here's another thought. It's great to have a partner up there with you. If you mess up, look at them like they just destroyed your life and play on. Just kidding....just ask my band-mate. heh-heh-heh :rolleyes:
But somebody once told me that if you make a mistake repeat it and everyone will think it was intended. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | A couple of suggestions; (1) regarding what material to play, it is not enough for YOU to really like the song. Probably most important is to choose songs that fit your strengths and abilities. I wasted many of my teenage garage band years struggling to play material that was so far over my head, I loved the songs, but I played them terribly. I would have been much better served choosing songs that were within our band’s means and that we could sound good playing (as most of the successful bands of that era figured out).
(2) The best way to "find" your songs is to record yourself, and record a lot. And listen to the recordings. It's not hard to figure out what does and does not work for you.
(3) As far as stage fright goes, I like Al's suggestion, focus on the mic, or on your fret hand. Concentrate. After you get a couple of successes under your belt you can expand to smiling or looking around the room. A few more times you can plunge into small talk or an occasional joke. True, it's not really good stage presence to stare at your fret hand, but it will get you by when you are new to performing in front of an audience. Better to play well and have poor stage presence that to have great stage presence and suck as a musician (my opinion, others may differ). You should know the songs you intend to play so well that you could play them in your sleep before you play them in front of an audience.
(4) And like everyone else says, play out a lot, each time you do it gets just a little easier.
Let us know when you are going to do it, Maybe Brad and I can swing by and heckle you! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Almost all of this is good advice. I'd add a couple of things.
First, don't sing to your shoes. Look up and DO look beyond the microphone. These people don't know it's whether it's your first time or your 500th time in front of a mic. Don't tell 'em.
Only play tunes that you've practiced a lot. Play in front of the mirror, then play for your wife. Don't get too fancy first time out. Don't try to play something on the guitar that you haven't practiced a lot. It's amazing how you can forget stuff that you've practiced. That's why you want to stay on simple familiar terretory.
When you start each tune, force yourself to count it off in your head. You'll find that when you're in front of people the tendency is to rush and play faster than you should. Take a deep breath before starting each tune and remind yourself to slow down.
Outside of all that, don't drink booze beforehand and have fun. Remember that everybody in the audience is on your side and wants you to do well.
Have fun. And if it isn't fun, you don't have to do it again. But it will be fun and you'll be back. It's addictive...... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Brian T:
Let us know when you are going to do it, Maybe Brad and I can swing by and heckle you! FREEBIRD!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
then play for your wife. So you get used to someone walking out on you?
I definitely agree with the slow down suggestion. Nerves seem to cause acceleration. They make metronomes to help practice the right pace. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | "So you get used to someone walking out on you?"
Lol- I'm with you on that, Mark. I get NO respect at Casa DB. Better off playing in front of a group of friends. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by dark bar:
Better off playing in front of a group of friends. How would you know? :p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Apparently, the lack of respect is universal, DB! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | The best advice I once got - don't practice until you get get it right ... practice until you can't get it wrong. And then you will anyway, but at least it won't be a train wreck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | OK guys (and gals) I received a new mic for fathers day! I have taken a bit of time playing time off (a week or so) becaue some migranes have made my playing less tolerable than usual but I was able to mic up the last couple of days.
I have a new found respect for all of you who play and sing out. Lots to keep track of. I had no idea how important it is to pay attention to position of the mic, the distance etc. It looks so easy when you watch it from the audience. My nephew who does this stuff for a living told me that mic etiquette is as important as a voice and I am starting to see what he means. I am really glad that I have the mic to practice with. It would have been a disaster without knowing at least some of the little tips and tricks.
One thing I have found in the last couple of days is that it sure makes your practice sharper. Any little screw up is amplified. Lesson one: keep it simple for my first try. Lesson 2: see lesson one. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Let us know when you're gonna have-a-go at it!
Brian & I want to make it out there if at all possible. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2008
Posts: 14
| Having just recently survived my first time in front of a crowd (good thing the natives were friendly, that's all I'll say about that...), I do have one bit of advice that hasn't already been covered: Try to make sure the guy that goes before you is worse than you are. Talk about blind stinkin' luck.
And like all the others have said, it's addictive.
One thing I have discovered from years of jam sessions though is that most screw-ups go unnoticed or at least barely noticed if you stay on the rhythm. Keep the flow of the sound going and any other errors are much less noticable. |
|
| |
OK how do you do it? (playing out)