First live performance: a moan

One More Solo

One More Solo

One More Solo

Soldato
Joined
29 Dec 2004
Posts
17,112
Location
Shepley
Just got in from a rehearsal for a show we're doing tomorrow for a charity concert a couple of friends have organised, was a bit of a nightmare all round so just venting really.

-We asked for an electro acoustic which wasn't provided by the music dept. of the school we were playing at, leaving us with a 12 string acoustic and an electric to play an acoustic set.
-Consequently, the sound was really bad, by the time we got to the 3rd and final song we had just managed to make both guitars audible.
-Made stupid mistakes despite not feeling nervous
-Played the hardest song really well, and the easiest song really badly.

The worst bit is people coming up afterwards and going "That was really good!" and you know they're just saying it for the sake of it. You're so desperate to prove yourself and it doesn't work out, and being told it was good when you know it wasn't just makes it worse. Anyway, going to get an early night and then sort it for tomorrow, absolutely determined along with the rest of the band to get this spot on. I'll cry otherwise! :p
 
Aside from the one bitter guitarist scoffing at the back, no one proberly noticed any of your mistakes. If you look confident playign the guitar, people assume you are good, oddly. Look nervous and people expect mistakes.
 
Indeed, think in the 'music business' you've got to do things yourself, if you rely on others prepare to be let down :(

You'll get over the nerves eventually, I haven't played in front of that many crowds but it definately gets easier.

BTW: One More Solo your rotating sig is awesome, Kelly Brook and then Eva Longoria, a man of taste I must say :cool: :D
 
i played in front of about 150 people at school a few times, did a couple of solo guitar pieces. that was about 5 years ago.

i'm playing freshers fayre in september this year!!!
 
ahh those were the days. 2 guitars and a park amp in a school hall.

treasure every minute, because when you get older you will draw many good memories.

odd looking back really, by no means a rock star, but playing shows around the country, and europe in grotty pubs to 50-100 people is great fun. all started from those school concerts.

oh, and you will always make mistakes. I do. adds to the live feel. even change the tempos if people arent moving enough sometimes :)
 
Last edited:
Nitefly said:
one bitter guitarist scoffing at the back
Click to expand...

i make a point of standing next to that guy, and listening to all the pedantic crap he comes out with. he's my favourite person in any audience!
 
One More Solo said:
Just got in from a rehearsal for a show we're doing tomorrow for a charity concert a couple of friends have organised, was a bit of a nightmare all round so just venting really.

-We asked for an electro acoustic which wasn't provided by the music dept. of the school we were playing at, leaving us with a 12 string acoustic and an electric to play an acoustic set.
-Consequently, the sound was really bad, by the time we got to the 3rd and final song we had just managed to make both guitars audible.
-Made stupid mistakes despite not feeling nervous
-Played the hardest song really well, and the easiest song really badly.

The worst bit is people coming up afterwards and going "That was really good!" and you know they're just saying it for the sake of it. You're so desperate to prove yourself and it doesn't work out, and being told it was good when you know it wasn't just makes it worse. Anyway, going to get an early night and then sort it for tomorrow, absolutely determined along with the rest of the band to get this spot on. I'll cry otherwise! :p
Click to expand...


Which school out of curiousity?
 
One More Solo said:
The worst bit is people coming up afterwards and going "That was really good!" and you know they're just saying it for the sake of it.
Click to expand...

My first gig was in 1970 and i'm still going strong.
There is one piece of advice I can give you and that is that at least 60% of the audience really do think you're good.
About 2% will know every note and mistake you made and the rest will know you weren't that good but will take your age into account.
1% will say you're crap and not take anything into account.
 
Played the first of two shows tonight, with a friend's very nice (well, nicer than any other availbale) electro-acoustic in tow. It sounded absolutely quality!

Overall, the opening song could've been better (although we two guitarists covered each other's mistakes nicely) and the last two were spot on. I took a bit of a risk with improv in the last song (Floyd's Wish You Were Here) and it came off really well, so all in all a happy bunny. :D Hopefully tomorrow we will get everything going really well (then convince a few other people to form a proper band for the end of year concert). Rock on. :p
 
You see, you were worrying too much.
You can practise forever but getting out there and doing it is where the best practise comes.
Its no lie that the last six bands I've been with have taken me on in the week and at the weekend I've been gigging with them.
You have to do your homework but the majority of an audience are very forgiving or don't know.
 
yeah doesnt matter how much you practice.

last time we were out and about, gigs one and 2 were ok, by number 4 we were on fire, and by day 7 we were unstoppable! :)

just goto keep hammering it. the more shows you do on the trot the better. 7 was enough for me though. costs too much going on tour. memories forever though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom