#16
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Keep on pluckin'! |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Nothing wrong with ambitious goals, though. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
What is unique to playing (presumably with eyes open) but in the dark. How does that imprint on the brain differently than with eyes closed, or even playing without peeking? Thanks David
__________________
I took up the guitar at 62 as penance for a youth well-spent. |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
It was simply a self induced test for me to know that I did indeed truly "have a song down cold " BUT that was not the most important part of my post. The important part was my suggestion about the significant amount of practice time it takes to truly convert thinking to muscle memory For me at least the one event that changed my guitar playing and singing more than anything was for a period of 18 months (in my early 50's) where I practiced for 2 to 4 hours a day 5-6 days a week for 18 months straight My guitar playing advanced more in that 18 months than it had in the years between starting at 14 years old and age 50 AND That did two major things for me #1 finally the chords changes and progressions for almost all the songs I play became ingrained muscle memory (which in turn allowed me to just play chords and focus making my vocal really fit with the music) Or If it was a new song I could look at chord diagrams just to know what they were but not have to think about how to navigate them or the fingering .. #2 it also allowed me almost with out ever really trying to embellish hammer on and pulloff's and single note runs in between the chords In full disclosure I seldom play songs with complex multi chord structures And to be sure that does not mean I never look at the fretboard But for the most part any glance does not interrupt the flow
__________________
Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2024.3 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 03-11-2024 at 08:59 AM. |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
It is so hard not to let the emotion of the moment control your performance.
it takes a lot of rodeo's to be able to keep things calm.
__________________
Ray Gibson SJ200 Taylor Grand Symphony Taylor 514CE-NY Taylor 814CE Deluxe V-Class Guild F1512 Alvarez DY74 Snowflake ('78) |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
I dealt with first song nerves for years. I play in bands, both electric and acoustic guitar, and usually lead. I discovered that it is better for me to play a popular song that seems complicated, but isn't, than to lead with something REALLY hard. With that in mind, in cover bands, I made it a practice to start with Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way." Now, you are asking yourself, "What does this have to do with me as a fingerstylist?" The main leads on Rocky Mountain Way are played on bottleneck slide. For some reason, playing slide well while stressed isn't nearly as hard for me as playing lead guitar with my fingers. Of course, the comedic nature of the song sucks the audience in as well, so they are instantly on your side.
If you can find a song that works like that for you, you will have done well. We always tend to want to but our best foot forward first, but sometimes that is putting your performer foot out ahead of your guitarist foot. Bob
__________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
The last part of this post is very intriguing to me. I never would have thought of such an approach. I'm going to try it out!
__________________
RM ----------------------------------------------------- Taylor 856, Taylor GC7, Martin 00-28, Breedlove Oregon Concertina, Breedlove Jeff Bridges Signature, Guild JF55-12, Guild D212, Larrivee OM3, Eastman E20 OM, Farida OT22w, Cordoba Fusion 12 Orchestra, Blueridge BR-361, Pono 0-15 mango, Journey OF-660, Tanglewood TWJP parlor (Nashville tuned), Paul Reed Smith SE Custom. |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Here's something that has yet to be mentioned in the replies I've read... I'm assuming that you KNOW the material, that you have it down-pat; certainly, you should do that if you haven't already.
The main thing - and this is important for every song, really, but especially the first in a three song set - you have to go out and GET IT! Have the mindset that you are absolutely going to nail that song, however you choose to play it... not "kind of sort of", but demonstrably NAIL IT! A good friend and terrific singer was given some advice by a world-famous opera singer, who told him tp "go out on stage like a LION, not like a LAMB!"...
__________________
"Home is where I hang my hat, but home is so much more than that. Home is where the ones and the things I hold dear are near... And I always find my way back home." "Home" (working title) J.S, Sherman |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Mental preparation is critical. Of course, it is all about attitude, once you have the material down. Your pal is right. You got to own it all - the material, your guitar and the crowd. I know that feeling from my other musical work. I will get there with the guitar. That is why I do the open mics. Just to skin my knees.... As always, obliged for the replies and wisdom. David
__________________
I took up the guitar at 62 as penance for a youth well-spent. |
#25
|
||||
|
||||
As far as an aggressive mental state goes there is the fact that you are standing on a stage with the bright lights on you, mic'd up so you are louder than everyone and you are attempting to play your instrument and sing. All eyes are on you with expectation. In your minds eye you have a vision of what it could be. Do that loud and proud with no reservations or holding back. Be your "Heroic Self-Reflection." Stand and deliver. If it doesn't work figure out why not and try again and again. The only ones that fail are to ones that give up.
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Should I be returned home, after an open mic, carried atop my Froggy Bottom H12, all will know that I did not "give up." David
__________________
I took up the guitar at 62 as penance for a youth well-spent. |