onewilyfool Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 So, I'm doing about 3 cafe gigs a week, and still learning valuable lessons. One, what to do if in the middle of a song.......your NOSE starts itching......lol....I'm open to any valuable advice from the pro players on this one. What I did, was stop the song on the end of a verse, scratch my nose, then continue with the chorus.....lol....Pretty smooth, but again, a new thing to deal with. One day, the owner asked me to come and play at night, they are open til 8:00. I got there at 6 and the owner and I were the ONLY people in the store......lol.....so it was a good practice time for me, AND the acoustics were actually GREAT with no people in the store....lol. Morning gigs are usually about 6 people with two workers, and that size is very comfortable for me, and the un-plugged acoustic guitar and voice sound pretty good. Over that number, and I'm verging on needing some amplification. I've noticed that pretty much any time I screw up, is when my mind wanders and I start thinking.....lol. Probably a common problem for hobby player and pro alike. I'm really making strides at playing without looking at the guitar (that much) and slowing things down when I start to speed up towards the middle of the song. This "slowing down" really helps to get back into the present time, allowing for "feeling" to be added to the lyrics, lol....which is nice. Even though I am mostly background music, it is a great class to learn to play in front of others. Speaking of class, a group of 4 were leaving, and thanked me for the music, to which I responded "I hope the music didn't interfere with your conversation (as they were sitting right next to where I was playing) and one of them said , "No, it actually adds some class to the place!"...lol....that made my day. I'm thinking of printing up a sign, "Will work for Coffee!"....just kidding of course, being able to share and get this experience is worth it's weight in gold.....
Gilliangirl Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 How do you get past the fact that people are sitting there watching you play? I know that sounds like such a silly question, but that's what I would be thinking the whole time I'm there. I wouldn't be able to concentrate. We've had to do a couple of amatuer shows and my hands get all cold and clammy. It's awful! :unsure:
onewilyfool Posted March 11, 2011 Author Posted March 11, 2011 GG....a couple of days ago, I had this guy watching me like a Hawk, because he was trying to learn to play a song I was playing....lol....now normally this would make me very self conscious, but for some reason I was OK.....I think just playing in front of people, makes it easier to play in front of people....AND, this gig is pretty laid back, mostly people don't even give me much attention, so it is perfect for me...lol....Another thing is making mistakes....it's not that big a deal....hardly anyone notices......Tomorrow, my Neighbor, his wife and 2 year old, and my neighbor's Mom are coming to watch....so they will actually be watching, not just listening....so we will see how well I do under that scrutiny....lol. I think when I played an open mic, being on a stage, with people watching...was much harder. Amp and Rar were there, and gave me a lot of support...THAT was very hard ...lol...but fun!! GG just keep doing it and you get better.... How do you get past the fact that people are sitting there watching you play? I know that sounds like such a silly question, but that's what I would be thinking the whole time I'm there. I wouldn't be able to concentrate. We've had to do a couple of amatuer shows and my hands get all cold and clammy. It's awful! :unsure:
EuroAussie Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Nice one Wiley. Actually I love these relaxed gigs now more than the big ones, because you can really chillout, experiment, not worry about stuffing up. I think you have a great gig here and clearly are enjoying it and trying new things. I actually quite enjoy others watch me playing. I remember watching others also closely when starting out. If I know the song it makes feel good that I can pass on the 'knowledge'
onewilyfool Posted March 11, 2011 Author Posted March 11, 2011 So today my wife, neighbors, their mom and the two year old came....it was fun!! This time, they watched me very closely...lol...and the two year old applauded wildly every time I finished a song....lol....all I need is an audience of 2 yr. olds in strollers and I am set!!! All in all....a good day!
zombywoof Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Not bad hours though - sure beats the 9:00 pm to 2:00 am gigs.
onewilyfool Posted March 11, 2011 Author Posted March 11, 2011 Zomby...I play for about 1 1/2 hrs, and my voice and fingers are shot....lol.....I don't know how the pros do it!!??? Not bad hours though - sure beats the 9:00 pm to 2:00 am gigs.
BigKahune Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 Keep on workin . . . . . that stamina will inch up. B)
E-minor7 Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Is there any footage from these gigs. The environment, the audience, the bartender, the minstrel. . .
onewilyfool Posted March 13, 2011 Author Posted March 13, 2011 Is there any footage from these gigs. The environment, the audience, the bartender, the minstrel. . . No, gratefully, there is no photo/video/recording of the fateful events.....lol
G McBride Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Sounds like you are having a good time and getting a lot of good experience. I have not played in front of people for many, many years now. I even quit playing for a long time while chasing the bottom of a bottle and working on a career. Now that I am playing again and practicing regularly, I find my self thinking of playing for others again. I just turned 58 last month. How did you come about playing for your Cafe gigs anyway? Did you know the store manager or did you just walk in and present your program to them?
onewilyfool Posted March 13, 2011 Author Posted March 13, 2011 I think I came into the coffee shop one day with my guitar (didn't want to leave it in the sunny car) The owner was there and asked me if I wanted to play...that's how it started. Usually play in front of 3 to10 folks at a time. Yesterday about 6. Yesterday was special in this sense....I've now played these songs enough times, and in front of enough people, that I'm not thinking about making mistakes playing or forgetting words.....in other words, I've practiced enough, that those issues are not a problem...and NOW I'm learning to play with more feeling....really getting into the song. That was very satisfying for me...shows that practice really helps. Gets the "mechanics" out of the way so music can happen.I've had some great experiences doing this and am very grateful for the chance to do it. Sounds like you are having a good time and getting a lot of good experience. I have not played in front of people for many, many years now. I even quit playing for a long time while chasing the bottom of a bottle and working on a career. Now that I am playing again and practicing regularly, I find my self thinking of playing for others again. I just turned 58 last month. How did you come about playing for your Cafe gigs anyway? Did you know the store manager or did you just walk in and present your program to them?
E-minor7 Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 I think I came into the coffee shop one day with my guitar (didn't want to leave it in the sunny car) The owner was there and asked me if I wanted to play...that's how it started. Sounds like the exactly right beginning. Fate making a casual choice. How romantic. I'm beginning to see a script here. Next scene : A progressive impresario walks through the door. Keep up the spirit. . .
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