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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by Flash1717Legend:
Can't think of many things better that playing and singing in front of an appreciative audience.
Just to put this correctly in perspective - it has been nearly 15 years since I played my geeter. I am in a blissful place at the moment and just took my first lesson today in nearly 45 years. Pretty d*** cool. Can't wait to start pulling out the old ballads and the myriad of songs I wrote years ago. A performance is certainly in the works - but likely a few nmonths (minimum) away.
There is nothing like an appreciative audience. + 1 |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Very cool, Flash (although I have to wonder....what possessed you to stop playing for 15 years???!!)
I was thinking about playing in front of an audience or family, which is tougher, and I realized that I've been married for 29 years and my in-laws have never heard me play. Weird?? |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Not really... I'm in the same boat.
With one group of friends breaking out a guitar is as natural as having a beer.
Then there is another group of friends who would consider it down right rude. |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| I've only done two open mikes and each time I totally screwed up everything. I literally could not remember what chord I was supposed to play next.
I haven't done one in well over a year and just the thought of doing another one scares me.
Michelle |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Don't
Give
Up
.
.
We've all had our train wrecks.
Practice two songs until you are totally sick of them and get back on that horse. |
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Joined:
September 2010
Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | Originally posted by dark bar:
Very cool, Flash (although I have to wonder....what possessed you to stop playing for 15 years???!!) No intention of a hi-jack...but to answer the Q - can't say for sure. Just no time I guess. Other interests popped up. Anyway...the recent catalyst was my 14 yeard old nephew (product of a messy divorce) and wanting to learn guitar. He's taking some lessons and sure enough asked my input on a couple of things. We got him a used Laney GC30 amp at a local pawn, picked up a distortion pedal and in helping him - got the old spark back. Been immersed every day now for about 3 weeks. The callouses are returning and I've landed a local instructor who was with Grand Funk between '96-'99. Always wanted a semi-hollow and decided on a Hagstrom.
Bottom line is it seems like I can breathe again - if that makes sense to anyone out there. I had forgotten how nice my Legend was for playing accoustic unplugged.
Thanks for asking. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Old Man Arthur
Luv the story
Kids know classic rock
You must have done it well |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by Slipkid:
Don't
Give
Up
.
.
We've all had our train wrecks.
Practice two songs until you are totally sick of them and get back on that horse. Sometimes I have a rather blah feeling about doing another open mike. I actually haven't been to one just to listen in a long time.
I got to get restarted in doing one, but I've been lazy and in a rut lately. Maybe doing one might get me out of a rut again, who knows.
Michelle |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | One thing I've noticed with the open mics I've been to....
Unless it's an indie-style coffee house, you lose the audience's interest with original music or offbeat tunes. It seems the more recognizable the tune you are playing, the more the audience listens. When it's clear that you have lost the audience, I'm guessing stage fright would really increase dramatically. Nothing like looking out from the stage and no one is listening.
Michelle...get back up there with 3 songs that you KNOW everyone knows and likes, and play your fingers off. You might try some "chick" songs. I played with a girl who did cool versions of "Someone to lay down beside me" and "Your so vain"...might work for you. |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by dark bar:
One thing I've noticed with the open mics I've been to....
Unless it's an indie-style coffee house, you lose the audience's interest with original music or offbeat tunes. It seems the more recognizable the tune you are playing, the more the audience listens. When it's clear that you have lost the audience, I'm guessing stage fright would really increase dramatically. Nothing like looking out from the stage and no one is listening.
Michelle...get back up there with 3 songs that you KNOW everyone knows and likes, and play your fingers off. You might try some "chick" songs. I played with a girl who did cool versions of "Someone to lay down beside me" and "Your so vain"...might work for you. Yes, I've been to open mikes where someone had done all originals and it is boring. Most of it is that angst ridden I hate you stuff. However, some mix in originals and covers and it makes it more interesting.
The cool thing about downloading and printing the jam books is that I've rediscovered some songs and have actually "tried my hand" at them. I'm working on "Bad Moon Rising". I've also been working on some stuff from Jesus Christ Superstar and "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens.
Michelle |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Maybe you're trying to do songs that are a little beyond your ability right now? You only recently picked up the guitar again, so maybe Croce and similar might be a bit beyond your current skill level. Keep practicing those types of songs to make yourself improve, but go through the songbooks and find some simple 3-chord tunes you like (Credence is a good start) and learn a few of those solidly to play at an open mic. That'll give you the confidence to try something a little more complex later.
Or do as I do - pick a genre and/or songs that don't matter if you're a bit sloppy ;) |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | yeah, G8r but your sloppiness only lasts for a couple hours before you have the damn song mastered.
I should be so lucky! |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by G8r:
Maybe you're trying to do songs that are a little beyond your ability right now? You only recently picked up the guitar again, so maybe Croce and similar might be a bit beyond your current skill level. Keep practicing those types of songs to make yourself improve, but go through the songbooks and find some simple 3-chord tunes you like (Credence is a good start) and learn a few of those solidly to play at an open mic. That'll give you the confidence to try something a little more complex later.
Or do as I do - pick a genre and/or songs that don't matter if you're a bit sloppy ;) Well, I've been doing this for over three years and have picked up the fingerpicking part of "The Last Supper" pretty well. It was just hard to play and sing it at the same time, but that too is coming along nicely.
At three years, I don't really know what should be beyond my ability, but I keep trying stuff and pushing myself.
The one thing I haven't been able to do is to pick a tune out by ear. I have to be shown what chord are being played in a song. Some people have the ability to pick them out, but I don't. I can hear when they change chords, but that is it.
One thing that is happening to me is that no matter how much I practice a song, I still sometimes can't remember which chord is to come next. I have to look at a sheet because the memory ain't working so good.
Michelle |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | At 3 years I was still learning Stairway to Heaven and chased out a dozen roommates. I learned some 3 chord songs and played one in a bar, but couldn't remember the last verse. That was it for being on stage except for a couple weddings. Got the verses mixed up on Wedding Song at one of those, too. I seem to have more problems with remembering the verses, or which one I'm on, than remembering the guitar part.
Michelle, learn a few 3 chord strumming songs like the Eagles or America's Sister Goldenhair or Lonely People. Those should be easy confidence boosters. For Croce, get the Pete Huttlinger dvds. |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Hi Mark:
I have a Pete Huttlinger Jim Croce DVD, but I haven't looked at it recently. I guess I was scared off by the fingerpicking stuff on it at the time.
Michelle |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I know people who have played for 20 years that don't finger pick well (but may be great strummers or flat pickers)
Personally, at this stage I wouldn't even think about picking when there are 10 billion strumming songs you could work on. Being on stage is nerve wracking enough without worrying about finger control. Plus, singing and finger picking at the same time is doubly tough on your nerves. |
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March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by dark bar:
I know people who have played for 20 years that don't finger pick well (but may be great strummers or flat pickers)
Personally, at this stage I wouldn't even think about picking when there are 10 billion strumming songs you could work on. Being on stage is nerve wracking enough without worrying about finger control. Plus, singing and finger picking at the same time is doubly tough on your nerves. Weaser and AlanM will get a chance to hear how bad I am on Saturday! :D ;)
Actually, I am practicing a little of both, fingerpicking songs and strumming songs just so that I don't go crazy.
Michelle |
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September 2010
Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | Regarding the stage fright postings...
I recall my most nervous was singing for my sisters wedding. She had selected some songs which were a good stretch for my chord changing skills plus outside my normal vocal range. Being the only instrument and voice, if there was any mess up, it was going to be front an center. I practiced them diligently for several months before hand. And yes I did loose a few notes on vocals, and yes I likely was off beat a time or two, and yes there was both family and unknowns in the church, but if my sister was ever disapointed - she never said so.
I did sing play/sing from the balcony instead of right at the alter which at least gave me a bit of "cover". I also learned that day to loosen your tie before beginning to sing (although it was too,late when I figured that one out). Restricting your neck muscles is not optimum for extending an already limited range.
But it was still a good gig. Lots of positive comments afterwards - even if many were from well meaning relatives. It really does help if you actually believe you can play/sing. It also helps if you like being on stage.
For someone who does not enjoy an audience, I think it would be very difficult to learn that. I think there has to be "something" initially that would encourage a person to "want to share". For me, it is adrenilin, the angst of butterflies before, the smiles and applause of during and the emotional release after. Of course - bad days are bad. But like my vocal imperfections during my sisters wedding, at least I learned next time to loosen my tie ;-) |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I played at a wedding years ago and did fine cos I was too stupid to be nervous. NOW I'd be a nervous wreck cos that's such a super important affair, that the couple will remember forever and is usually recorded for posterity. Screw it up and those people will never forgive you. Talk about the perfect setup for a train wreck! |
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November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | I dont get nervous I get excited...once i get there I am ready to go...and I hate waiting...
Some venues what i will do is walk around before a gig a start scoping out the crowd, say hello, do a little mingling.
I always take the adage that I am just playing for friends... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | The wedding singer stories reminded me of another one of my worst moments. It was the one where I got lost in the verses of the Wedding Song. Maybe it was the fact that I did most of my practicing on the Matrix in a Ford Fiesta while my wife drove from Idaho to Kansas. Fortunately, it was before everyone had video cameras, or my father-in-law (my wife's sister's wedding) would have had the camera in my face. I was supposed to turn on his tape recorder he had set up, but I forgot. Someone kindly had a stool for me to sit on, but my leg started twitching from having my foot up on the rung. It was bouncing so badly the guitar was shaking. The bride, and probably everyone else, noticed and commented that it looked like I was trying to keep time to a much faster song.
I should probably just stick to strumming songs at weddings, but "Lyin' Eyes" probably wouldn't go over too well. Anyway, my sister-in-law has been divorced twice, so no one ever talks about that wedding anymore. |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Originally posted by dark bar:
..I was too stupid to be nervous. That is probably a prerequisite for success in the music industry. |
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October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | In college, used to grease the jitters with a few belts. Left that in the dust when started playing church music (somehow didn't seem right). Still get nervous. Am more confident with the vocals and it carries over. I had heard that story about Red Skelton and he was great. Laughed louder than anyone at his own jokes.
Once you get started the jitters go away. You can still be embarrassed, but that's another subject. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by sligoman:
In college, used to grease the jitters with a few belts. Left that in the dust when started playing church music (somehow didn't seem right). would seem like the time to break out the wine! |
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January 2006
Posts: 1487
Location: Michigan | do you think these guys were embarressed ??
i don't think so
they kept going on and finished the song and i bet they are a pretty tight band by now .
at least i hope they got better . GWB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw8sNoodIDk |
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