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Post by littlebobby on Aug 22, 2023 15:08:35 GMT
It's a pleasure and it is what this forum is all about. I have also done presentations and of course teaching groups of people, but none of those things are anything like being a musical performer. Until it is second nature, it is an alien and strange thing to do. Can we hear some of your own songs anywhere online....Youtube, Bandcamp...? Shine On Michael Not got much of an online presence at the minute but I’m looking at building it up. I want to see if I can get myself into some of the small blues festivals next summer and applications tend to require YouTube videos and other stuff. Also planning to do some quality recordings soon. Was going to do it before the shows so I could try and peddle some CDs but the fella I was going to go to inconveniently became a father earlier this month. I can send you a Dropbox link if that would be of any interest but that’s about it for now. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 22, 2023 19:19:43 GMT
I watched your video and you sound great. I like hearing people writing their own material, especially when it's not pastiche. Just keep doing what you're doing!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 22, 2023 19:31:22 GMT
^^^^
please dumb it down some....i had to look "pastiche" up in a dictionary.
good advice from all above.
mitchfit
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Post by snakehips on Aug 23, 2023 7:43:19 GMT
Hi there !
I'd say having a good sense of humour and engaging the audience with that REALLY helps bring the audience onto your side.
My bandmates have that in spades, more than me. Wish I felt more natural at that.
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 23, 2023 12:14:18 GMT
I watched your video and you sound great. I like hearing people writing their own material, especially when it's not pastiche. Just keep doing what you're doing! Shine On Michael Thanks man. Appreciate that. |
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 23, 2023 21:47:59 GMT
Right then... Went to the open mic night at my local tonight and was sent home (100 yards away) to get my guitar. A duo having spotted the MM Blues'28 asked me to join them. Absolutely trembling I agreed one song only as long as it was a 12 bar, I didn't have to sing and the song was in D. Ended up playing Peaceful, Easy Feeling followed by The Weight and finished off with She Belongs to Me. I did it and the audience seemed to enjoy it all including singing the harmony bits in The Weight. Wow! - what a buzz but I came off still shaking but it worked. The big deep breath and head down, get on with it, helped - fortunately I had played bass on these songs a fair few times in the past, too. Still hyped on adrenaline...  Thank you all for the help. PD |
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 23, 2023 22:19:05 GMT
Right then... Went to the open mic night at my local tonight and was sent home (100 yards away) to get my guitar. A duo having spotted the MM Blues'28 asked me to join them. Absolutely trembling I agreed one song only as long as it was a 12 bar, I didn't have to sing and the song was in D. Ended up playing Peaceful, Easy Feeling followed by The Weight and finished off with She Belongs to Me. I did it and the audience seemed to enjoy it all including singing the harmony bits in The Weight. Wow! - what a buzz but I came off still shaking but it worked. The big deep breath and head down, get on with it, helped - fortunately I had played bass on these songs a fair few times in the past, too. Still hyped on adrenaline... Thank you all for the help. PD Good man. The post play buzz is grand. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 24, 2023 7:04:43 GMT
PD, that’s BRILLIANT!!!! And is what it’s all about.
Well done 👍🏼
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 24, 2023 10:00:40 GMT
Thank you.
Still buzzing this morning.
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 24, 2023 15:59:36 GMT
Thank you. Still buzzing this morning. A great opportunity to play in front of a ‘home crowd’ will be Michael’s Pocklngton event. Get a couple of songs ready, you could even post a ‘set list’ and I’m sure someone will join you if ( like me) you feel naked playing on your own. Pete This goes for anyone else going this November. Plenty of opportunities to find out what it’s like to play in front of a ( usually) friendly group. Must remember to bring some rotten tomatoes this year.............. |
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Post by richclough on Aug 28, 2023 20:42:30 GMT
Two things that changed everything for me:
1) Find a good open mic and attend every week
2) Go to a PA equipped rehearsal room a few times and practice
In both situations, find out what works for you - mic position, stand up /sit down, mess with the eq and balance between guitar and vox. Get comfortable with the sound of yourself at volume and having that lump of metal in front of your face. Work on mic technique a bit, getting close and moving away and how it changes both tone and volume. Have fun!
My interaction with the audience changed as soon as I wrote my first comedy song. I think it’s really important as a solo performer to mix it up - it’s supposed to be entertaining after all!
Oh, and a final thing. Remember that the audience almost always start off on your side, wanting you to succeed and themselves to have a good time!
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Post by davetracey on Aug 29, 2023 9:07:52 GMT
Speaking as a face in the crowd, rather than as a performer, I wondered if playing a few well chosen cover versions helps. I've seen 100's of bands over the years, and I've never liked it when I have been watching a support band, and everyone around me is talking. But when that is the case, if the musicians on stage break into something familiar, it does tend to attract peoples attention.Having got their attention - the world's your oyster!
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 29, 2023 14:45:31 GMT
Speaking as a face in the crowd, rather than as a performer, I wondered if playing a few well chosen cover versions helps. I've seen 100's of bands over the years, and I've never liked it when I have been watching a support band, and everyone around me is talking. But when that is the case, if the musicians on stage break into something familiar, it does tend to attract peoples attention.Having got their attention - the world's your oyster! I have been advised to start with something that rolls off easily so I tend to play phone call from Leavenworth by Chris Whitley to kick off because I’ve been at it for about ten years. It’s easier than it appears and is an eye / ear catcher and it settles me down nicely. |
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Post by archtopeddy on Aug 30, 2023 2:38:59 GMT
Okay. Here's my story.
I use to play in a Gypsy Jazz band a few years ago. We were invited to play at Djangofest North West on Whidbey Island near upper Washington State in the USA. By then, I'd been attending Djangofest for a number of years and I knew just about everybody who came -- guitar playing enthusiasts, audience members and performers. As many of you guys know, Gypsy jazz guitar players can be some badass players and it can feel foreboding to play on stage in from of them. As we were about to go on stage, and all of these great players were walking by encouraging us, one of the monster players Stephan Wremble comes slauntering up and asks, "What's happening man?" I've known Stephan for years, and we had less than a minute before the MC would call us on stage. So to kind of blow off the question and focus on the gig, I kiddingly said, "Man, we're scared shitless." Stephan, rather than laughing it off, goes in to a long explanation -- all while we have less than a minute before we're on stage! He says...
"Oh, don't worry man. EVERYTHING is going to go wrong. Your guitar won't sound in tune, you won't be able to hear the other fellas, you'll forget what song you're doing, EVERYTHING will go wrong. But don't worry...
You see all those people out in the audience? They don't care about any of that. All they want to do is hear you play. They just want to LOVE you. So all you have to do is -- LET THEM LOVE YOU. Play for them. And just let them love you."
I took his words to heart, and had a totally wonderful gig. And I remember those words whenever I need them. Works every time.
JUST LET THEM LOVE YOU!
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Post by littlebobby on Aug 30, 2023 5:30:02 GMT
Okay. Here's my story. I use to play in a Gypsy Jazz band a few years ago. We were invited to play at Djangofest North West on Whidbey Island near upper Washington State in the USA. By then, I'd been attending Djangofest for a number of years and I knew just about everybody who came -- guitar playing enthusiasts, audience members and performers. As many of you guys know, Gypsy jazz guitar players can be some badass players and it can feel foreboding to play on stage in from of them. As we were about to go on stage, and all of these great players were walking by encouraging us, one of the monster players Stephan Wremble comes slauntering up and asks, "What's happening man?" I've known Stephan for years, and we had less than a minute before the MC would call us on stage. So to kind of blow off the question and focus on the gig, I kiddingly said, "Man, we're scared shitless." Stephan, rather than laughing it off, goes in to a long explanation -- all while we have less than a minute before we're on stage! He says... "Oh, don't worry man. EVERYTHING is going to go wrong. Your guitar won't sound in tune, you won't be able to hear the other fellas, you'll forget what song you're doing, EVERYTHING will go wrong. But don't worry... You see all those people out in the audience? They don't care about any of that. All they want to do is hear you play. They just want to LOVE you. So all you have to do is -- LET THEM LOVE YOU. Play for them. And just let them love you." I took his words to heart, and had a totally wonderful gig. And I remember those words whenever I need them. Works every time. JUST LET THEM LOVE YOU! Brilliant 😁😎 |
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