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Topic: Jitters |
Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 8:32 am |
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| I'm feeling a little stressed because I've got a gig tonight that takes me way out of my comfort zone. A guy asked me to back him on a song for a local fund-raiser event tonight It's just the two of us, him singing and playing acoustic guitar and me on steel. The song is 'Love Has No Pride' and it's fairly hard to follow...for me at least. He wants me to throw in a solo after the bridge besides that. I decided to give this a shot for some crazy reason but it may turn out to be more than I can chew. Too late to back out now so it's back to practice awhile again. Anyone have any calming advice? |
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Will Holtz
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 8:41 am
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Keep it simple, have fun, and remember there probably won't be many (any?) steel players watching you. That's how I manage to get myself up on stage....
Taking on these types challenges is probably the fastest way to improve your playing. So congratulations on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
_________________
WillHoltz.com |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 8:46 am
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Bill, you'll probably do OK because it's evident YOU CARE or you wouldn't be here asking for advice. Just relax and keep it simple. Just concentrate on your fills and if the singer's lips are moving BE STILL. On the solo, don't get fancy but don't be afraid to let it all hang out. You'll do fine and I'd like to see you post the outcome. OK??
Phred |
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Mickey Lawson
From:
Cleveland, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 1:21 pm charity play
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| If you hit a miscue, just laugh and keep on going. The audience will relax and laugh too. But you'll probably ace it. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 1:46 pm
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Sure - take a deep breath and laugh before you go on.
I really enjoy gigs with one or two other people playing acoustic instruments. A good singer-songwriter can carry it all on their own, so just let him do that, and lay back and wait for spots where you can really add something. I often find that a sustained one-note phrase is more useful than a complex flurry of notes in this situation.
I agree with Fred - keep the solo simple. It's a beautiful chord progression and melody - I probably wouldn't stray far from that melody. |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 1:46 pm
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| Thanks for the words of encouragement, I've been logging a lot of seat time over this one and I'll post how it went. My speed is more three or four chord country with a full band to fall back on and bar full of drinkers not paying much attention anyways. This will be a sit down audience with all eyes and ears focused on the stage which is what has me nervous. This too shall pass. |
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Al Udeen
From:
maple grove mn usa
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 2:23 pm
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| A six-pack of scotch works for me! |
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Brian LeBlanc
From:
Falls Church, Virginia, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 2:41 pm Six Pack of Scotch!
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- I was just getting comfortable playing bars where a lot of people don't know what i'm doing
- then signed up for local steel show!
- luckly, brought band with me and went on first
- but definately too early in day for Scotch!
_________________
'Frenchy' LeBlanc...
ShoBud & Twins |
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Johnny Baldwin
From:
Long Beach, California, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 5:18 pm
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| Just imagine you've already played the gig, then when its time to go, you'll feel like this is the second time around. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 6:32 pm
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Just RELAX and do it.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 8:39 pm
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O.K. Fred...and everyone else who contributed here, here's my report. The evening was a rare adventure and my part went pretty well. I nailed the solo so that was a big plus. We were both just a little shakey in the bridge but not bad enough that many people would have noticed. It could have gone a whole lot worse so I'm relieved and well satisfied with our contribution.
On another level it was a really interesting and gratifing experience to have been a part of the show. It was held to raise funds for a local festival that happens here each summer called 'Musique du Bout du Monde' which is an international event that focuses largely on percussion music from various countries. Around 250-300 people were in the audience and there were about 40 performers doing many styles of music. I was the only anglophone performer although several of the francophone performers did english songs. I made some really good contacts backstage and spent a lot of time explaining just what a pedal steel guitar is and how it works. It was a real conversation piece and seemed to be well recieved. One super talented six string picker crawled right in under it for a detailed inspection and he was talking about selling off a bunch of gear to get hold of his own. For pure novelty appeal I think the steel edged out a South American 'Rain Stick' for first place backstage. That belonged to a very impressive multi-instrumentalist who also took turns on guitar, flute and several nameless percussion instruments.
So all in all, a great evening. Thanks to all of you for the moral support.  |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 9:09 pm
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| Way to go Bill. Get out of that comfort zone every chance you get. Your playing will get better and better. Jody. |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 9:10 pm
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| Way to go Bill. Get out of that comfort zone every chance you get. Your playing will get better and better. Jody. |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 10:17 pm
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super job Bill. Tole you so. 
Now you've gone and started a newby on the durned guitar. He'll bug you to death probably, but thanks for alerting more people to the fact there is a pedal steel guitar and it produces darned pretty music.
Phred |
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Mike Ester
From:
New Braunfels, Texas, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2007 6:55 am
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Guess what, Bill? You just started the journey down PSAS (Pedal Steel Addiction Syndrome) Road. 
Phred had it right: just be simple.
My dad has a saying that will carry you through: Don't make a hard job out of an easy one. |
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Dennis Schell
From:
Shingletown, Shasta county, Kalifornia
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Posted 9 Jun 2007 10:15 am Re: Jitters
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| Bill Miller wrote: |
I'm feeling a little stressed because I've got a gig tonight that takes me way out of my comfort zone. A guy asked me to back him on a song for a local fund-raiser event tonight It's just the two of us, him singing and playing acoustic guitar and me on steel. The song is 'Love Has No Pride' and it's fairly hard to follow...
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If you mean the Bonnie Raitt version, you shouldn't have much trouble with it. I used to play that tune with a female singer with only my ol' Martin helping us out. (As I remember, that's all Bonnie used also)
But then again, this gal was a great vocalist, and easy on the eyes too, so I doubt anyone was paying much attention to me!
Best of luck!
Dennis
_________________
"Bucks Owin" |
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