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Mutlu
by Gary E. Andrews - 04/15/24 07:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Hey All,
Several responses in my "best musical advice" thread prompted me to add a sister thread that specifically addresses "performing live".
"Don't suck!!!" was covered in that other thread. Thanks Ricki & MAB!!!!
BAW, and I'm doing this from memory, has been consistently consistent with this advice..Something along the lines of:
"Entertaining well is often more important than performing well".
So.....With all that said...
Some lucky ones were born to be on stage...Or at least it seems like it...Jody Whiteside, BC, to name two JPFer's...
Others of us, had to beat down insecurities, puke in bathrooms, be prompted by friends, pray to whatever gods may exist before we could even get on stage at an Open Mic....You JPFer's know who you & I & us are:-)...Shout out to Wendy D.!!!
And whether you had a whole band, or just a musical partner in crime, or were all by your lonesome...
At one time, not necessarily the first time you were on a stage, but at one time, you were the one "front and center" in front of a roomful of strangers...
...And YOU were the one that everyone else in the venue was focused on!!!!
What advice, that someone gave you, is the one you still remember that helped get you through performing "live" from that day til this?
Just wondering?
Midnite
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If you screw something up, don't react; don't let on. Most likely, the audience won't even catch it. They'll only notice if you let on.
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I have a close friend who plays concerts in front of a couple of thousand people regularly in top notch venues and concert halls. I asked her if she gets nervous and what I should do to overcome nerves. She advised me to wear or carry something unique that signals to me that I now own the stage - a wristband in my case. Could be a piece of jewelry or an item of clothing, but only wear it when you are going to own the stage. And then have a half glass of wine (or alternative beverage of choice) to relax the nerves a bit. And then step up there and own the stage!
And I agree with the advice about entertaining. Your job is to entertain using tools like singing and playing.
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I have a close friend who plays concerts in front of a couple of thousand people regularly in top notch venues and concert halls. I asked her if she gets nervous and what I should do to overcome nerves. She advised me to wear something unique... Serious "edit" here, Colin:-) I only perform in front of a dozen or two at a time... I will often wear my wife's pink panties while onstage. No one needs THAT visual!!!."...But thinking about the "pink" distracts my focus from the "audience"... Other professional's advice has been to "Picture your audience as being naked"....Don't need THAT visual either!!! TMI regarding my "pink" ??? Probably:-)...My bad! Midnite
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If you screw something up, don't react; don't let on. Most likely, the audience won't even catch it. They'll only notice if you let on. TRUE! TRUE! TRUE!!!! Serious thanks Todd!!!!!! Midnite
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Keep playing! No matter what happens, don't stop. If you play a 'bad' note in a solo, go back and repeat it - changes it from a mistake to playing 'outside the box' Peace, TC PS: Keep the singer on a leash! :-p
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Drop all egos at the door.
Midnite
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Keep playing! - TC PerkinsGood advice. And don't look as if you made a mistake. Most the time you''ll get away with it. If it's a lead note, use it as a grace note to the note it should be. Best, John
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A dear friend once told me when I asked if I should ever attempt to perform live... he said, "Don't!"
I took his words "to heart" and realize it was some of the best advice a friend could ever share. Some of us were not meant to be performers. The truth may hurt a little... but hopefully, we all were given our share of talent in other aspects of life.
...and yes, if you wonder, he is still my friend.
Have a great week, everyone... ----Dave
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Dave,
A friend who can give you such honest advice, is truly a friend to hold onto!
Well done on both of you:-)
Midnite
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Be prepared and do it often. All things musical, especially performing, like life, can't be done sporadically. The only way to advance, the only way to learn where your music fits, the only way to meet your peers as well as your fans, is to DO IT. And the more you do it, the better you are at it. Even if you just want to be a living room writer, be a GOOD living room writer. That takes rehearsal, and practical application. Perform on open mics, in front of friends, on writers shows, benefits, parties, wherever you can. Will help you to understand your music, your self and where both fit in.
In this era where EVERYBODY is a performer, EVERYBODY HAS A SONG, EVERY BODY HAS A RELATIVE, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, SON, DAUGHTER, NIECE NEPHEW, PARENT, FRIEND, WHATEVER, the LIVE PERFORMERS are going to be the only one's that to stand out. So do it well, do it often.
Oh year. DON'T SUCK. MAB
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Be prepared and do it often. All things musical, especially performing, like life, can't be done sporadically. The only way to advance, the only way to learn where your music fits, the only way to meet your peers as well as your fans, is to DO IT. And the more you do it, the better you are at it. Even if you just want to be a living room writer, be a GOOD living room writer. That takes rehearsal, and practical application. Perform on open mics, in front of friends, on writers shows, benefits, parties, wherever you can. Will help you to understand your music, your self and where both fit in.
In this era where EVERYBODY is a performer, EVERYBODY HAS A SONG, EVERY BODY HAS A RELATIVE, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, SON, DAUGHTER, NIECE NEPHEW, PARENT, FRIEND, WHATEVER, the LIVE PERFORMERS are going to be the only one's that to stand out. So do it well, do it often.
Oh yeah. DON'T SUCK. MAB
Last edited by Marc Barnette; 09/19/16 12:35 PM.
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Casual Observer
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streetjelly.com is a site where it is free to play or to watch. It is very casual, you can go on anytime and play till your fingers bleed. There are many there that aren't "professional" by any means but just want to play for more than the wall and make friends. You can get and give tips but it is more for fun than for money. If you have enough talent you can do house concerts and actually make money from your songs. http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/index.phpIf you look you should be able to find others who are hosting house concerts in your area that aren't registered on ciyh. A plus if you are touring is that you can fill in empty dates this way. Here is a good article from American Songwriter magazine: http://americansongwriter.com/2014/02/songwriter-u-make-real-money-donation-based-house-concerts/
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Buy a guitar tuner. Your guitar's out of tune.
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Don't worry if ya mess up,nobody's listening.
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Casual Observer
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If you can't do it in practice don't try it live.
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worry more about entertaining and less about playing perfection. Know your audience and make them happy....laughter is a must. If they want freebird, you don't have to play it, but you should have an entertaining response that isn't sarcastic or demeaning towards who asked for it. All such predictable cliches should be handled similarly. Never shoe gaze and smile while you play, it makes a huge difference. If you aren't having fun, neither will they. That's a few thoughts.
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Casual Observer
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Casual Observer
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Musicians are just actors with instruments.
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Do concerts, if you can, they are much more fun than doing club dates.
Also, if something breaks, have a back up strategy, as spare mic, a spare amp, extra chords, strings, batteries, whatever can break or burn out, have a back up. It doesn't have to be as good as the thing it's backing up, it just has to be able to get you through the night.
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Casual Observer
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Casual Observer
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House concerts will give an artist the most attentive audience and give the audience the most intimate experience with that artist. Equipment is minimal since it is a small intimate setting so there is less to go wrong.
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Practice, practice and more practice – learn your stuff, don’t use crib sheets. While you are looking at a crib sheet you are not performing. Practice your whole set, in order, including the links, nobody likes dead air. Don’t drag stuff out longer than it should be; it’s better to have people thinking “ooh I’d like to hear that again” rather than “this is dragging on a bit hope it ends soon”. Did I say practice?
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Well Yes! I've had several requests but I'm gonna sing anyway.
Ray E. Strode
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