....I SUCKED !
The two guys I sit in with occasionally, usually playing a mixture of guitar, bass and harmonica landed a gig at a local tavern, but didnt have enough material to fill out the whole night. So the singer from the band said "why dont you open for us, doing some of your acoustic blues stuff"? Ive done plenty of home recording, sang in front of friends at BBQs etc, but never live at a venue. I though what the hay, its now or never.
My first 2 songs where a little shaky vocal wise, my third song ended up being a just a bad choice and the last few where blues standards that Id been doing for years. I know that we tend to be our own worst critics, but watching it again this morning on my camera there were quite a few wince worthy moments. I didnt really make any mistakes, but you could hear in my voice that I was nervous. And Ive come to the conclusion that I dont really have the outgoing persona to be an frontman/entertainer.
I got lots of praise for my guitar and harmonica playing when I went on with the band later, but when I played solo I got what I think was "polite" applause. Im not overly worried about it all though, Im still gigging, having fun, but I think I'll just stick to where my talents lay, that is playing guitar and harmonica. At least I gave it a crack ! :thumbsup
Cheers, Scott.
(http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/obeyoung/me5.jpg)
Me killing a few great songs....
GO THE SCOTT! Fantastic bro', fantastic. Hows it feel mate? I remember when I made my first backup, boy, I was as nervous as hell, good on ya', hope to hear more :+1:
cheers
fongie
Way to go Scott, my first time plugged in on a mic was great fun and pressure. I still remember thinking "who's voice is that? It doesn't sound good, hey wait that's me, oops, I must be nervous" my friends are telling me I keep improving every time. :nana_guitar
Quote from: Big E on July 18, 2009, 12:42:52 AM
my friends are telling me I keep improving every time. :nana_guitar
Thats great mate, dont know if I'll want to go through too many "roughies" to start sounding good though. I may never sound good !
Quote from: fongie on July 18, 2009, 12:08:58 AM
Hows it feel mate?
cheers
fongie
Gday Fongster, as the first line suggests, it didnt feel great. I was happy I'd finally got up there by myself, but I dont know that I'll be doing it again anytime soon.
Cheers, Scott.
Good on you, Scott. First one is always the toughest and you'll never have to do the first one again. Onwards and upwards, mate. Lee :thumb :thumb
Scott, I am well improssed that you did this. Please don't give up now you have done the hardest bit. I don't think I could ever play solo in public, I have a hard enough time plucking up the courage to share tracks among friends on this forum. HUGE respect is due for doing it, and it will only get better and easier the more you do it!
Thanks Lee and Ben.
You're right, the worst one is out of the way, and I suppose I cant expect it to be great first time in. I might give it some time and re-evaluate the possibility of future gigs. Might go to a couple of open mic nights and get some more stage time under my belt.
Cheers, Scott.
Playing solo is like sex the first time its ackward but the more you do it the better you get.Just ask your wife!!!!!
I will add my congrats and observations as well, Scott.
Seems to me that playing in public requires varying measures of talent, preparation, confidence, or as in my case willingness to foolishly enjoy my music with others watching. The balance of these factors is subject to change.
In my twenties I had a lot more preparation and confidence ... like most skills the more you do it the better you get. Now in my sixties I'm leaning more on that foolish enjoyment of music. Where ARE those days of frequent practice, composing, and playing?
My advice is don't stop, do it again soon, and most of all enjoy your musical gift no matter how an audience reacts!
Norman
Quotebut you could hear in my voice that I was nervous
I have good news for you.....what you heard as nerves (because you know yourself so well)
was probably heard by others as vibrato.... (a good thing ! It adds quality, interest, depth to a song and sounds professional)
So many amateurs sing without any vibrato and it can sound plain and dull.
I'm serious. It is really hard to tell the difference when you are in the audience.
I know. Its happened to me.
- Larry
Well, I think you should just get a few songs down that "you enjoy" and are comfortable playing. Then have another go.
I've played in public and made some big mistakes, play in one key and start singing in another. And other blunders. But so what, I still just play and enjoy what I play. Then it is a bit infectious and others can see that you are enjoying it so they can feel relaxed and join in.
I am surprised at times to hear responses like "you can really play well". When if you have heard me you know I am not very good. But sometimes I do put my all into playing and singing and I think that is what leaves the impression of "talent" :blush:
ie. I just have fun ;-)
Quote from: dependan on July 18, 2009, 12:05:30 PM
Well, I think you should just get a few songs down that "you enjoy" and are comfortable playing. Then have another go.
I've played in public and made some big mistakes, play in one key and start singing in another. And other blunders. But so what, I still just play and enjoy what I play. Then it is a bit infectious and others can see that you are enjoying it so they can feel relaxed and join in.
I am surprised at times to hear responses like "you can really play well". When if you have heard me you know I am not very good. But sometimes I do put my all into playing and singing and I think that is what leaves the impression of "talent" :blush:
ie. I just have fun ;-)
:+1:
Thanks for all the support and encouragement guys !
I guess I had (foolishly) high expectations of myself for the first time in. Ive contacted a few others that were there to watch me, and it seemed to be positive feedback. Ive also caught up with my friend from the band I usually sit in with and he said that being my close friend he would be brutally honest with me and tell me to give singing a miss rather than see me get up there and make a mess of it.
So Im booked in again for another opener at a different venue in 2 weeks.
The bottom line is I really want to do this, I feel Ive reached a point in my musical journey where I want to present the whole package. If sit and play guitar in front of someone and theres no singing I always feel as if somethings missing.
Time to practice, practice, practice......
Cheers, Scott.
OK folks, here it is in its full glory. Please excuse the poor quality, it was filmed on my wifes phone. Its one of the better songs I did vocally, theres also a little bit of another but the camera times out! Once you've clicked on it give a bit to load up, it takes about 10 seconds.
Cheers, Scott.
(http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/obeyoung/th_Midnightandday.jpg) (http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/obeyoung/?action=view¤t=Midnightandday.flv)
Nothing wrong with that Scott, your guitar playing was great and I couldn't hear any nerves in your voice at all. It is easy to be over critical of yourself. I thought that was outstanding!! :cheers
Gee thanks Ben, I though what better place to get some opinions than the Forum. I appreciate the feedback mate. Hopefully in a few months time I can post some better quality video of myself once Ive got a bit more experience under my belt.
Cheers, Scott.
Hey Bro', darn man, you did real good, infact I replayed it again and again coz I truely enjoyed it :+1: Definately got something you should be proud of, a few more gigs and your on your way. Fantastic! :beer
cheers
fongie
Quote from: fongie on July 19, 2009, 07:25:53 PM
Hey Bro', darn man, you did real good, infact I replayed it again and again coz I truely enjoyed it :+1: Definately got something you should be proud of, a few more gigs and your on your way. Fantastic! :beer
cheers
fongie
Thanks mate, Im glad yo enjoyed it. Obviously theres room for improvement, but the more I watch it the more I think its not too bad for a newbie !
cheers, Scott.
I think you're being way too hard on yourself. This looked/sounded pretty good to me (mobile phone quality notwithstanding!), and the guitar playing was top.
You're out there doing it - that's the main thing. Keep it up!
:thumb
Quote from: obe-wan on July 19, 2009, 09:59:52 PM
Thanks mate, Im glad yo enjoyed it. Obviously theres room for improvement, but the more I watch it the more I think its not too bad for a newbie !
cheers, Scott.
Scott, I first played live many years ago and I'll always think there's room for improvement. Thing is, there's only one way to improve and that's to do it again and again.
You sounded great buddy. Congrats.
Scott, you sounded good! Your picking was tight and vocals were fine. I only wish things went as nicely for me the first time I played out and sang at the same time! Keep doing it and your voice will develop the authority you have in your picking!
see.....SEE.......I told you so :bgrin:
I heard no nerves in your voice, as Ben said already.
...any vasilation, came across as vibrato, and that fits the blues just fine...
If you know your voice is a bit shakey on a particular occasion then TALK as little as possible-
a lot of people talk too much anyway and degrade an otherwise fine performance -
only a rare few can win over an audience with their speaking - charm, jokes, stories and background information....
my theory, unless you are as good at public speaking as you are at playing and singing then DON'T !
just sing and play...when singing, people will just accept a waver in your voice as vibrato - a good thing.
- Larry
You did just fine. I didn't hear any signs of nerves.
Good on ya', mate...
Outstanding first solo! You should be proud and work on a few more songs so you can fill a set yourself -
Tad
Hey, thanks guys.
Your encouragement has given me a shot of confidence, my next solo spot is friday week, so hopefully I'll come through it feeling a little more at ease and happier with the result.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers, Scott.
Quote from: obe-wan on July 21, 2009, 08:33:24 AM
Hey, thanks guys.
Your encouragement has given me a shot of confidence, my next solo spot is friday week, so hopefully I'll come through it feeling a little more at ease and happier with the result.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers, Scott.
Are you going to do a whole night's worth this time around?
Quote from: Denis on July 21, 2009, 09:48:11 AM
Are you going to do a whole night's worth this time around?
Gday Denis,
My first one was 6 songs, just opening for my friends band, I chose to do only 6 so that if it wasnt going well it wouldnt be too long until I got off stage. This time around its pretty much the same deal, I'll be opening for the same band (duo) but at a different venue. Theres another guy coming on after me then my friends band headlining ( I also play harmonica in that band). Im planning on having about 45 minutes of songs and instrumentals, so one full set I guess.
Thanks for your input Denis, it means a lot to me having such an accomplished musician taking interest in what Im doing.
Cheers mate, Scott.
obe-
nice job, I know you know you were nervous and probably sing it getter in a room by yourself....but not at your best, it sounded real good. I would be very happy if I could sing as good as you...but if you listened to my song posted the other day, you know that I need some improving, lol.
Hey Bluesman !
Thank you kindly for the praise ! I saw the clip of yourself and your partner when you posted the reply regarding the stomp boxes. You guys sound very professional to me! :thumbsup
Hey , I might contact you soon about those stomp boxes, are you still making them?
Cheers, scott.
Scott--
If I was there in the crowd I would have proudly nudged whoever was next to me to tell them , "that's my Larrivee Guitar Forum buddy Scott! Ain't he got it goin' on!!!
DAVE :thumb :wave
Quote from: ncognito on July 21, 2009, 08:15:39 PM
Scott--
If I was there in the crowd I would have proudly nudged whoever was next to me to tell them , "that's my Larrivee Guitar Forum buddy Scott! Ain't he got it goin' on!!!
DAVE :thumb :wave
Yup.
Heres the rest of the second song.
(http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/obeyoung/th_TougherthanTough.jpg) (http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp318/obeyoung/?action=view¤t=TougherthanTough.flv)
Cheers, Scott.
Great playing and singing Scott.
I think you should try to find yourself a gig just for you, a whole night...if you've got enough material for a whole night?
I'm only playing once a month these days...I wish it was more often...
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Superb Scott. Singing was top notch and the guitar playing just brilliant.
Hey - where'd the clappy hands guys come from?
Guess all I can offer is - :thumbsup
Tad
Scott,
It looks like you don't need any more support, but, for what it's worth -- I like it! I'd certainly pay to cover to hang out there and listen.
WileE
Yeah my man Scotty, mate, done well, infact excellent :+1: :+1: :+1:
cheers
fongie
Thanks again fellas, your responses have been very humbling thank you. Im currently working on a few more songs to increase my repertoire. Onward and upward !
Cheers, Scott.
Quote from: jimmy buffett on July 20, 2009, 09:31:21 AM
You did just fine. I didn't hear any signs of nerves.
Good on ya', mate...
:+1: Hey Scott - that was "awe-flippen-some" mate!
Quote from: Zohn on July 24, 2009, 08:06:10 AM
:+1: Hey Scott - that was "awe-flippen-some" mate!
Thanks Zohn my friend, many more to come I hope.
Cheers, Scott.
Nothing wrong with that performance, Obe-wan. Sounds pretty darn good to me. We are always are own worst critics. :)
Stop beating yourself up and go get 'em!
Thanks dberch,
I just did my second gig last night, I did 10 songs opening for the same band, to a room of about 20 people, 10 of those being my usual group of friends that come along. Huge crowd ! The guy behind the bar was less than friendly, and considered it a great inconvenience to turn the stage lights on for us while we set up! There was no foldback, the mics the boys hired were cheap and nasty and would feedback as soon as we added any volume..... The owner left the large screen TV just to the left of the stage on to watch the football scores the whole night....and after the gig i was asked by a middle aged extremely drunk woman which one of the band members was single, when I told her we all are either married or have girlfriends I got a very colorful reply........
I was happy with my performance, got heckled for not playing something from the 60's :? . There was no buzz from playing. I did it and got off the stage. Better luck next time !!!!
Cheers, Scott.
Sounds terriffic! On the plus side Scott, you got another gig under your belt in front of a crowd of friends and drunks who probably won't remember, so use it as a great free dress rehersal for the next good gig!
Quote from: obe-wan on August 01, 2009, 06:46:23 AM
I was happy with my performance, got heckled for not playing something from the 60's :? .
And yet again, the crowd called for "Freebird" -
Tad
good for you Scott :thumb
You can control the quality of what you play but not the quality of the listeners or their taste (or lack thereof) in music or manners.
but under the circumstances (being an opener) , I'd think you are obligated to 'keep the paying crowd happy' and play what they want to hear
I guess that's the way the music 'business' works.
- Larry