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Author Topic: Total Embarrasment!  (Read 3939 times)

JamesHealey

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« on: September 25, 2006, 11:46:42 PM »
Just played my first jazz gig infront of my entire music college, all the post grads and undergraduates and apparently a load of people from a record label were about..

All I have to say is never again... I've never got stage fright but the idea of all these people who i know can tell what every note I play is and they're going to anaylise my phrasing etc.. but well yea i got some major stage fright, pretty much forgot how to read music, forgot the melody, forgot the form, forgot everything.. and just well yea made a total ass of myself infront of 300 people.

I want to DIE.. I don't even like jazz :(

willo

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« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2006, 01:53:41 AM »
Man, you know Charlie Parker, the first time he played he was totally hammered for it. So he studied like a bar-steward for a year, came back...and blew them all away.

The performance doesn't matter so much, what matters more is what you learn from the experience. :D
The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away...

38thBeatle

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« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2006, 07:30:36 AM »
I agree with Willo.Almost certainly was not as bad as you think. Live performances are a good way of learing the old craft and even the bad experiences are good for character building(I speak from experience).
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jt

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« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2006, 10:20:17 AM »
:D Doesn`t matter if you played out of tune or forgot things it`s Jazz ! Just tell `em you were "Expressing the free form mood of the piece"  :P

 :D  8)
God I could do with a Gin & Tonic !

JamesHealey

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« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2006, 12:09:34 PM »
cheers for the kind words guys.

Dakine

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« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2006, 12:37:47 PM »
Heck, NOT the easiest style and look what some (who make bucket loads in sales) play, just powerchords!

Could have been worse, played a gig supporting The Damned years ago and me and drummer kinda sank alot of 'Thunderbird' beforehand. Still, cannot remember how bad I was really LOL.
"Do not go gentle.........Rage"

jt

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« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2006, 01:24:08 PM »
:D Thats nothing at my 1st ever gig i played the solo to Zeps Tangerine a semi tone flat !!  for the whole solo  !!

We`d tuned up & left the gear on stage under the lights, we were so inexperienced that it never ocured to us  to  retune before we played  :roll:

I`ve been scared for life  :P

 :D  8)
God I could do with a Gin & Tonic !

chrisola

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« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2006, 05:17:50 PM »
comfort yourself with some words of wisdom from 'Jackson, Jeffrey Jackson' the Jazz free form trumpet player of The Fast Show fame:

Presenter: "So, what tune are you going to play for us tonight?"
J,J: J: "Tune?? This is JAZZ MAN"

GRRRRREAT
"Turbo F***ing Spinning PILEDRIVER!!!"

Searcher

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« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2006, 06:03:10 PM »
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." - Robert F. Kennedy.


I've had the same thing happen to me--twice!  Both times I was humiliated beyond what I thought I could handle, but both times I came back and grew from it as a person and musician.  Three things that come to mind as actual advice for you are:

1.  If you didn't already do this, make sure that you know what you're going to play so well that you could do it without thinking about it.  Don't expect to be able to improvise anything.  Don't assume that your performance will be good; assume it will be only as good as your sloppiest practice the day before, so make sure your previous day's practice is excellent.

2.  Control your environment as best as you can and never over-commit yourself to something that you aren't positive you can handle, unless you don't mind if it crashes and burns.  I don't mean that you shouldn't take risks--not at all--but just be as realistic about the outcome as possible.

3.  Learn how to deal with stage fright.  It effects loads of people everywhere and there are definitely things you can learn to do to help you cope.  The best things are practice, creative visualisation, proper diet that day, and deep breathing.

Oh, and have fun.  Watch your attitude.  Don't play to impress people; it will just put a ton of pressure on you. Do it for fun, for love, for the money--anything but to show off.
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lulusg

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« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2006, 02:46:40 AM »
Man, I feel for you.
Just passing by

Muso

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« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2006, 03:32:53 PM »
Don't worry mate Jazz is all wrong notes anyway, you probably blew them away!

Tol

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« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2006, 02:26:56 AM »
Dude,

Its all about the attitude.  If you pull a face or do something that shows error, shaking head, whatever,  I think people will notice these more than the musicial error.    

At least you got up there and get it.  Not everyone can say that.