Harold O.
Well-known member
I played a recital at my local Guitar Merchant yesterday. This was my second time on stage. I played and sang Five Foot Two and followed with Big Rock Candy Mountain.
It was mostly kids playing, a couple of pianos, a lot of electric guitars, I was the token old guy.ld:
This was my second recital. There were about 50 people in the crowd. Nerves got to me and I stumbled once or twice along the way. So I am frustrated by not doing better. But I learned a couple of things while up on that stage and wanted to pass them along.
I was hungry. Missed lunch due to a busy morning then arrived just in time for the show. That made me a little shaky. I'm a reasonably calm fellow anyway, but getting in front of a crowd takes guts and mine were empty.
Big Rock Candy Mountain has multiple verses and I felt myself tensing up as it went along. A little shorter song might have better dodged the nerves.:music:
I got to practice once or twice on my own, but didn't get enough practice/warm-up. Aside from settling in on the strum, I needed more time to run through the lyrics and tune my voice.
Looking back, I realize that I went up there hoping the crowd would like me. That was a mistake. I've practiced and played these songs many, many times. I should have approached the stage thinking "I know I can do this and these folks will like it." In other words, I should have gone up and attacked the show rather than ask permission.
So a few key lessons came from the experience:
1) Get yourself physically comfortable. Have something to eat, go to the restroom, get used to the lights, etc.
2) Give yourself time enough to warm up the ukulele, your hands, your voice.
3) Understand that you are there because you belong there. Those people came to listen to you. Show off your work, be proud of what you've done to get there.
4) Have fun. Do well, but be prepared to laugh at yourself.
I will do better next time. That's always my goal -- do a little better each time.
It was mostly kids playing, a couple of pianos, a lot of electric guitars, I was the token old guy.ld:
This was my second recital. There were about 50 people in the crowd. Nerves got to me and I stumbled once or twice along the way. So I am frustrated by not doing better. But I learned a couple of things while up on that stage and wanted to pass them along.
I was hungry. Missed lunch due to a busy morning then arrived just in time for the show. That made me a little shaky. I'm a reasonably calm fellow anyway, but getting in front of a crowd takes guts and mine were empty.
Big Rock Candy Mountain has multiple verses and I felt myself tensing up as it went along. A little shorter song might have better dodged the nerves.:music:
I got to practice once or twice on my own, but didn't get enough practice/warm-up. Aside from settling in on the strum, I needed more time to run through the lyrics and tune my voice.
Looking back, I realize that I went up there hoping the crowd would like me. That was a mistake. I've practiced and played these songs many, many times. I should have approached the stage thinking "I know I can do this and these folks will like it." In other words, I should have gone up and attacked the show rather than ask permission.
So a few key lessons came from the experience:
1) Get yourself physically comfortable. Have something to eat, go to the restroom, get used to the lights, etc.
2) Give yourself time enough to warm up the ukulele, your hands, your voice.
3) Understand that you are there because you belong there. Those people came to listen to you. Show off your work, be proud of what you've done to get there.
4) Have fun. Do well, but be prepared to laugh at yourself.
I will do better next time. That's always my goal -- do a little better each time.