'I never want to perform again!'

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Harry Rivers
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 02:36 AM

I've been following Bulletproof Musician for a while now and I find it helps.
And not just with performance but with practice too.

All the best
Harry

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 12:44 AM

practise in front of a mirror, you will see yourself as others see you.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 12:40 AM

it is about you as well as the song.
it is about your state of mind when performing, here are a few tips take deep breaths, before singing, afew minutes before singing deliberately make yourself yawn.
practise vocal exercises as if your voice was an instrument,contact Jim Carroll on this forum,for useful info on this one
secondly consider doing alexander technique, this is not just about posture it is also about preparing yourself mentally and phsically for performance. kep yourself fit and do diaphragm exrcises for breath control

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Marje
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 05:08 PM

The fact that you are having these doubts, Andy, suggests that all is well and you should carry on singing. The singers I find most difficult to tolerate are people who seem quite unconcerned about the quality of the sound they are emitting, the sense of the words, the charm of the melody, or indeed the point of singing the song at all. If you are aware that all these things matter, you're probably doing fine. And remember, it's not about you, it's about the song - this may help you to be less anxious about your performance.

Marje

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Andy7
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 12:28 PM

Yes, a good point well made, Stim. Singing feels like opening up and sharing something of your inner self, the essence of who you are, in a different way from the playing an instrument.

Mind you, at times I've also felt like putting my fiddle in the trash after playing it badly! Fortunately, though, it was a present from my parents when I was not yet an adult, which means I can't ever actually do that!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Stim
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 02:05 AM

I think that. professional or amateur, in a concert hall or a song circle, we are at our most vulnerable when we sing. Even the most powerful voice is a delicate and fragile instrument, and the voice must always come from the heart, which is even more fragile. For this reason, though guitarists, fiddlers, and other instrumentalists may pound through adversity, when you sing, you are much more sensitive to the bumps and rough spots.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 11:38 PM

If I embarrassed myself with a performance, I get my mojo back by singing something that I know the audience will love. It heals my wounded ego quite well. After that, things go along smoothly.
Joe

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: MikeL2
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 03:05 PM

Hi

Some great advice from Will.

Just keep going and nobody will know you are struggling.

I can remember once when I was guesting solo in a folk club, to my surprise I spotted a guy in the audience whose song I was starting to sing.

As I started for some reason I just could not find the melody.
I sang his song word perfect but to a completely different tune that I made up as I went along.

I felt embarrassed but At the end of the evening the guy came over and bought me a drink and complemented me on my " arrangement of his song.

I did not tell him the truth of the matter.!!!

I never really ever felt like giving up singing but nature played a trick on me by inflicting me with throat cancer.

While at first this prevented me from singing at all; treatment removed the cancer with part of my voice-box with it.

But I have been able to manage to sing with-in my limits but obviously not in any professional ( paid) way.

So dismiss your doubts and think positively. More practice perhaps?? This will increase your confidence in you performances.

Regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 02:49 PM

"Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Peter Laban - PM
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 03:52 AM

'Keep in mind that the music you will be singing is more interesting and well-written than almost anything on the pop scene.'

That's a deluded statement. Keep telling yourself that if you need to, it's nonsense. Folksong can be as crude and unsophisticated as your worst pop song and both are capable of of being sublime. The mainbody of both is a grey area of mediocrity. Much like everything els"
Not deluded, just an opinion the same as your comment.
It is an opinion I tend to agree with, most modern pop music is commercial and boring, but that is just my opinion, it does not make it nonsense.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 02:34 PM

Personally, I cant perform enough, as the actress said to the bishop, unfortunately, obliging actresses are find to hard these days.
These days there are plenty of performing monkeys who perform for peanuts, sing whilst reading from bits of shuffling paper and are not prepared to listen to other singers

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: CupOfTea
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 12:48 PM

That you have the doubts you do when you've done well is a bit out of my depth; most often, I feel much as Joe does - shame and embarassment when I know I've botched it. For me "it's not the singer, it's the song" and I feel guilty if I didn't get it right. It sure helps if you can forgive yourself if you've slaughtered a song (or a tune) you love and were enthusiastic about sharing. As I've done more singing in public, and made more blunders, a skill I've developed, and reccomend to you to cultivate, is not letting your mistakes or doubts derail you. If you miss one chord/line/chorus, it's better to be able to just keep going than to give up entirely - and fewer people will be aware it happened.

When you've done well, and don't get kudos, especially at a sing around, it seems so many folks tend to be thinking mostly of themselves and what they're going to do next. It is very likely that no one is going to be half so critical of your performance as you yourself are.

Sing because you have to sing. Sing with others because you need to share. Save your self critiques for when you're practicing. Find some musical friends you can trust to give you the feedback you crave.

Keep on keeping on, please.

Joanne in Cleveland (not the best player in town, just the best in my house)

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 11:13 AM

I booked a rehearsal room the other day - it was new and doing a special offer that meant I got 4 hours practically for free. I recorded myself, and when I listened back I had a bit of a depressing experience; I sounded awful. Guitar playing wasn't so bad, but the singing was just atrocious. Felt like never singing a note in public again, felt like selling all my musical instruments.

Few days later, recorded myself again, at home. A million times better. Helps that I've had a quiet few days, early nights, drinking lots of water. Don't feel nearly so hard on myself now.

These feelings come, these feelings go... part of being human... part of having standards and being discriminating!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 09:09 AM

Have the "Don't want to do this anymore" feelings often.
A lot of it is apathy and I should sit down and talk it over with myself - but I can't be arsed. ;-)

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Will Fly
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 03:43 AM

The Dunkirk spirit! They don't like it up 'em, etc.

Just to reinforce Terry's "we shall never give in" comment, some here may remember a thread I started around 2 or 3 years ago, recounting how I stepped backwards off a village hall stage while setting up for a ceilidh, fell flat on my back and broke a rib.

Great fun, I don't think - but I got up and played the gig, admittedly sitting down for the first half, but standing for the second half. It hurt more at the next day's gig when I was in too much pain to drive and had to get a couple of the band members to come for me in a space wagon and escort me and my gear to the pub!

But I did the gigs. There's no treatment these days for a broken rib - just accept that it hurts like buggery and get on with what stuff you can!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 07:31 PM

In 1970 I parked my Speed Twin in a drain at 65 mph - NOT a good idea , but the worst thing was my "Oh yes ,and" after my twelve days In I C , Nineteen fractures and dislocations of my left wrist , three months after buying my D35 Martin . Fortunately I was in the right lace to have all the right treatment with no delays so after six moths I was back doing floor spots , and went Pro in 1973 . So DONT give me any of that I never want to perform again crap , until you really CANT perform again .

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 01:16 PM

Any time I'd say those kind of things, Freddie, they don't have those kind of hidden meanings. I suspect that actually the case with most people.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 12:55 PM

It happened to me over a dozen times. I am a sel taught guitarist, just larn to add a bit of backing to my singind. Never reached much if a standard and 'died' severely on various stages. Luckily people were kind enough to say "keep it up" Then like you on the verge of giving up a friend who's part of a very good duo and once had a contract with EMI (is that right?)asked me if I'd do an opening spot for them at a very good club. I was shocked and protested "you know my guitar playing is hopeless" Yes he said but a lot of people including me often wish we could sing as good as you"That was me cured, oh I still get tinges of the old inferiority but console myself that at least I try, so you carry on ok

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 07:42 AM

"I like to see people improving. Its Ok to be average, if next time you can be average + 5%."

Amen to that, Flora, amen!!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Johnny J
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 05:33 AM

Instrument players get that sort of thing too....

I'm quoting myself here from a thread on The Session.org

(Sessions Euphemisms)
;-))

"That's a nice mandolin.."
(A lovely instrument but your playing is crap)

"I know a different setting for the tune you've just played"
(You're playing it all wrong)

"That's quite a loud fiddle"
(You're playing bum notes and I can hear them"

"Have you been playing for a long time?"
(You're obviously a beginner. What are you doing here?"

"How did you find about this session?"
(As above)

"I never remember the names of the tunes"
(The last thing I want is someone like yourself murdering a good tune "from the dots")

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 04:40 AM

If someone says "I don't know how you remember all those words" I hear "oh dear, that was SO long and tedious".
If someone says "That was interesting, where do you find your songs?" I hear "Hmmm, that wasn't really what I'd call a folk song was it?".
Though if I'm brave enough to tell them my doubts they're (usually) shocked and reasure me it was good.

Observing other conversations it seems people who are always polished and mega competent don't receive particularly more compliments than the average performers.

-

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 03:07 AM

Perhaps its my background as a teacher, but I like to see people improving. Its Ok to be average, if next time you can be average + 5%.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 07:53 PM

We've all been there . I sang a song in a club once and got the verses in the wrong order but some said that was great, I told them I made a mess of it and was told you are the only that knows that.So just press on regardless. Bill

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Raedwulf
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 07:39 PM

Kevin - that is completely brilliant. I hope you don't mind, I've just copied that & shared it on Fb (with attribution, of course; if you do mind, too late! Bwuhahaha!! ;-) ).

As for the general experience, I'm not a proper folkie, I'm a lapsed re-enactor. My music-making was almost always background noise; people enjoyed it being there, but they either didn't know enough to know whether I was screwing up, or couldn't hear it well enough ditto! The times I felt nervous was if a hush fell over a revel (as it sometimes does) and suddenly your thinking "Sh**! Now everyone can hear me..." :o Or occasionally when I filked something and had to sing it - I could feel the nervous vibrato that no-one else, apparently, could hear...

However, the really comparable thing I have done is storytelling. "Once upon a time, and it wasn't your time, and it wasn't my time, but it was somebody's time..." Out loud, in front of an audience (I am only here at Mudcat in the first place because of meeting Tig at Festival At The Edge!). I not only did the full on "hesitate" in the first story I ever told (at a medieval revel again), I also went (slightly sotto voce) "Bugger!" as I realised I'd, errrr, temporarily mislaid what came next! Sudden deep breath, perspira... I mean, inspiration returned & on I went. (No! Not on & on & on! Honestly, some people... :p )

Afterward I mentioned this to a couple of people. Perhaps they were just being polite (though I don't think they were), but both said "I didn't even notice". And one of them sent me details (because I said "If you hear of something like this...") of the first week long Course At The Edge. And then I met Tig at the Festival at the end of week. And etcetera.

*ahem*

If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. If you do enjoy, do it. The hell with what anyone thinks! You will always be your own biggest critic, because you know exactly what you thought you were trying to get across. The audience is just listening & enjoying. And, in my very limited experience of folkies, they do what storytelling crowds do - it doesn't matter if you are crap. You're willing to stand up & try to entertain others. They'll applaud you simply for having the cojones to do that. Very many others can't face trying it...

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 06:46 PM

Thank You for replying.....

I was worried we might need to send out the Mudcat seriously screwed squad ..... it is October, so they do make house calls.

Sincerly,
Gargoyle

LafKat, Kpaw, UnionNavy

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Andy7
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 06:06 PM

Thanks for all the comments so far, very helpful, and reassuring!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: JHW
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 02:26 PM

You may not have sung well but folks will quickly have forgotten it unless you make it a habit, (some do).
The audience has better ears for your song than you do.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 09:12 AM

". I'd say choose a club where they welcome you with a smile,"

I always remember the one where I was asked in a very offensive tone if I realised that I had come into the folk club. If I had just gone on spec rather than especially to see the guest I would have told the guy where to put his club.

"Did people really enjoy what I did, or were they just tolerating me (because folk folk are welcoming), and being polite?"

That is a problem in the folk scene. I have heard of one person who won't play at folk clubs because he can't tell from audience feedback of he did a good job or not.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Newport Boy
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 09:06 AM

Will: Even when a pub landlord's dog started to piss on my leg while I was guesting in a folk club, I didn't bat an eyelid, just kicked it gently away while continuing to perform.

Another good example (about 1:30 in): Bluegrass bird

Phil

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 09:02 AM

What I like about singarounds , apart from the oppotunity to air my own songs , is that you get a bit of variety , and that makes it easier to appreciate most contributions , whereas , a long set by one performer might get boring. I am pleased to say my regular singaround is mostly comprised of contributors who listen to , and appreciate each other's efforts. So, press on , in all probability your contribution is welcomed and appreciated.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 07:45 AM

Well I've been attending folk clubs without much let up for well over fifty years now, and the advice I'd give you is as follows.
In the phrase 'folk music' - folk comes first and music second.
There are all kinds of folk clubs - some see them selves as serious curators of the tradition - some are places were anxious parents get there kids ready for going on the X factor next year. And all points in between.

there are places that see themselves burdened with a feeling of superiority. no one talks to you. they can't wait to do their bit. they think their vision of folk music is the one that is the only valid one. steer clear of those places - unless of course this is the sort of place that appeals to you - and you can spend your life sneering away to your hearts content.

In actual fact there are intricacies to be appreciated and things to enjoy in every aspect of folk musoic.

Even if they don't specialise in your favourite form of folk music. I'd say choose a club where they welcome you with a smile, where they are pleasant, polite and encouraging. really we're all on our own and we all need the warmth of friensdship in whatever we're doing.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Howard Jones
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 05:57 AM

Your performance was probably far better than you give it credit for. We are often our own worst critics. However being self-critical is good, it means you want to improve. Far better that than those who don't know or don't care that their performance is poor.

What you are describing is lack of confidence. "The audience seemed appreciative and there were no blunders", but you still doubt yourself. The answer to this is practice. If you know the song well, and are well prepared, confidence will follow. If you have confidence you will deliver the song better, are less likely to make mistakes.

If you should make a mistake, Will is quite right, 9 times out of 10 the audience won't have noticed so no need to draw it to their attention. The 10th time, if you can laugh it off and carry on you'll keep them on your side.

Practice and prepare.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Andiliqueur
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 05:46 AM

"If you are judged at all, you are judged on an amalgamation of everything they have heard you do, not tonight's faux pas."

Thanks for that BIGM. I must keep rembering that! Also some really good poems and advise from others. Thank you.

Andy 7 you ask if anyone else has these feelings,oh yes! I so wish I didn't.I keep telling myself that I sing because it's what I love to do so why do I need appreciation and why am I so easily discouraged?
I could stay at home and sing but something makes me want to perform. Just sometimes you really touch a listener and they tell you and that is what makes me keep going back for more.

Also I'm proud (good bladder) that I never leave the room or thumb through files or talk while others are performing at a singaround as I respect them.

Believe me it's a handicap being so precious and I do try to fight it!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho mask
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 04:01 AM

I agree with Kevin re singarounds. I don't see them as performing as such, especially amongst friends, but that said, your human nature alone tends to make you not wish to disappoint so the effect can be the same.

Many reading this probably don't sing outside of a singaround session anyway so to them, it's the same as a pro singer on a stage, trying to entertain. Two things spring to mind here;

The advent of the singaround as I see it these days differs from the folk clubs in that you aren't necessarily the object of attention. Many ignorant sods are too busy flicking through folders in the assumption everybody is just sat patiently waiting for their latest three chord wonder or melody that falls flat. Of the others, some are talking with each other and one of two?

They are listening. They are the only ones who count and they understand your anxiety and don't factor it in any way shape or form in their appreciation of your talent.

Oh and to bring the others back into the fold, nobody remembers your cock ups, nobody remembers that the intonation wasn't up to your usual standards.

If you are judged at all, you are judged on an amalgamation of everything they have heard you do, not tonight's faux pas.

Enjoy your music and hope at least some sat there do too.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Will Fly
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 04:00 AM

We've all been there. I'm old enough and hard-shelled enough to have played all sorts of music in all sorts of environments in over 50 years of playing - most of it in public and much of it paid. Here are some tips for getting by with confidence.

• Unless you actually dry up or hesitate completely, in many cases the audience will not know you've boobed - gone off key, forgotten a word, etc.

• If words elude you while singing, sing anything that fits the rhythm and the tune - mumble something that might make no sense but keeps the song going. None of this "I'll start again" nonsense, which draws attention to the problem.

• I don't make any differentiation between a session, singaround, club floor spot, paid guest spot, pub gig, ceilidh event, recording session, etc. - all of which I do regularly - in terms of "professionalism", practice, preparation. I try and perform as well as I can and as professionally as I can whatever the occasion.

• In practical terms, this means having a mindset which is geared to constant, continuing practice of the repertoire. So, wherever I am - in the bath, on the bog, doing the washing-up, waking in the middle of the night (!), with or without an instrument in hand - I'm running through what I perform. If I'm adding a new tune or song to the repertoire, I will play/sing it perhaps 100 times in a day (I'm now retired from the day job!) - practice it until it's second nature, until nothing can faze me. Even when a pub landlord's dog started to piss on my leg while I was guesting in a folk club, I didn't bat an eyelid, just kicked it gently away while continuing to perform.

Now, all of this can still make you fail - but you'll stand not to fail - or worry too much about what you do - if you harden up how you prepare for it. After all, you wouldn't go into a boxing bout without the right training. Nerves can kick in - and a little tightening of the stomach muscles before a performance is no bad thing - but they can be overcome by confidence through practice.

There's often a problem with one's perceptions of audience reactions - and that's often where the self-doubt can creep in. I've walked on stage on many occasions to huge, appreciative applause from the audience - which sets the blood tingling, gets the adrenalin going - and you're off. But I recall other occasions, mainly in places like working men's clubs, where we got stony faces if we weren't playing what they wanted! But - and here's an important but - we gave absolutely no indication that we were discouraged - just thanked them as usual at the end of every number as though we'd received lots of applause and carried on.

My weirdest experience was playing in a rock'n roll trio in a club in Guildford (a converted cinema). We played to just 5 blokes sitting impassively in the front row. At half time, we went over to them to ask what was wrong with our performance. To our surprise, they said, "Oh, we're from Sweden, and we usually applause right at the end. You're great!" So we invited them on stage with us for the 2nd half, and they boogied away while we played to them...

Anyway, enough of me rambling on - hope there's something here that can give you heart!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 03:52 AM

'Keep in mind that the music you will be singing is more interesting and well-written than almost anything on the pop scene.'

That's a deluded statement. Keep telling yourself that if you need to, it's nonsense. Folksong can be as crude and unsophisticated as your worst pop song and both are capable of of being sublime. The mainbody of both is a grey area of mediocrity. Much like everything else.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Johnny J
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 03:48 AM

Performing isn't the be all and end all of music and song. I much prefer informal sessions and, to a lesser extent, singarounds. Even playing and singing on one's own can be an enjoyable experience or in other situations where there may be even others present but who are not obliged to listen.

Of course, we still need performers and that could or should (If you really want it) be you. It's very understandable to get these feelings and doubts though especially in the more formal serious singing gatherings, open mics, some floor spots etc. One thing I've noticed, even as a listener, is that many of the other singers etc are so interested in doing their own thing at Open Mics etc that they don't listen to other performers properly. Some really rude ones will even leave after they've done their bit.
This is even happening in some folk clubs these days where the so called "floor spot" has been pre arranged and the artists have little empathy with either the audience or the main act.

However, I agree with most of tbe advice above. If you really want to perform in public, don't give up. Everyone has something to offer although not everyone is necessarily going to appreciate you every time and in every situation. It might be better to be more selective yourself and choose your venues and general performing outlets where you are likely to feel the most comfortable.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 12:16 AM

I know just what you mean, Andy. Most of my performances are ok, but once in a while I'll make a real mess of a song - mostly by losing track of the melody. I feel all hot and sweaty, like I'm ashamed - and I just want to go and hide.
Not a good feeling.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 10:34 PM

Perhaps on one of the songs you do you can ask if there are any requests, or bring along a list of the cover songs you know and pass them out to everyone before singaround starts.

I go to singarounds where someone (when asked) if the singer knows any John Denver songs or Dylan or Donovan, or Peter, Paul & Mary, Ralph McTell songs, etc. I'm not saying that every song you do be a requested song but depending on how many songs you sing at the particular singaround (maybe one or two) would be nice to ask if anyone has a request they would like to hear from the list you brought.
Don't give up your singing. Even the biggest folk or rock stars have been criticized or not been given any feedback at some point in their career.
Perhaps if you have a close friend that you trust completely 100% to listen to you in at one of the singarounds and give you their feedback (in private) as to how you can improve or comment to you (in private) what advice they might have to help you.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: leeneia
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 08:39 PM

Keep in mind that the music you will be singing is more interesting and well-written than almost anything on the pop scene. All right, a note might wobble, and all right, you might get some phlegm. But chances are that your listeners will not hear this piece you want to share anywhere else.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 08:21 PM

Don't give up whatever you do. I'd give an eye-tooth to be able to play again in front of people with my mates, but my hearing loss has gone too far and I can't any more. You just don't know what's round the corner. Had those feelings of yours many times, I can tell you!

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:44 PM

There is an old saying if you don't know where you are going you are unlikely to arrive! What do you want to achieve? When you decide that those feelings will diminish.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:41 PM

I don't really count singaround sessions as performing. I see them as hanging out with people with similar interests and sharing a few songs. Maybe that's why I've never had those kind of feelings from them.

An open mike or a floor spot or a concert is different, and there've been times I've not felt too good afterwards - like the time I completely lost tye words half way through, and when I sat down, I spilled a full glass of beer in the floor. And that was after last orders.

Still disaster songs are a great part of the tradition, so wrote a song about it that night, and felt a bit better

Have you ever tried to sing a song,
And all at once the words are gone,      
And though you try to carry on
And finish anyway
Still everyone is watching you
"I wonder what he's going to do?"               
You wish the ground could swallow you.
And let you crawl away.
You feel quite naked and perplexed,
You've quite forgot your tuneful text,
You're standing there in dumb despair,
You don't know what comes next
It's like you've stepped upon a stair,
And found too late there's nothing there,
Your feet and mind are re-aligned –
It's all just empty air.

It happened just like that one night,
The words just went out like a light,
I think they thought that I was tight,
And I could take no more.
So I bought myself a glass of beer,
And set it underneath my chair,
Then kicked it over, unaware,
It splattered on the floor.
And didn't I feel sore and vexed
My friendly drink was quite upset,
"Last Orders, Sir" – so no more beer.
Oh what would hit me next?
Like I had stepped upon a stair,
And found too late there's nothing there,
A vacant glass, alack alas,
All full of empty air.

But now I'll cut my story short,
I'll spare you all the full report,
But all at once I had a thought -
My cup might overflow,
But didn't Jean Paul Sartre say
There's things against us everyday
No use to grumble anyway,
Philosophy can show,
When things fall out that can't be fixed.
No earthly use in getting vexed,
Just shake your head, and go to bed,
And wait for what comes next.
And when you step upon a stair,
And find too late there's nothing there,
No good to rage, or shake your cage –
It's only empty air.


So if your words should fall apart,
Think on Napoleon Bonaparte,
And how at length he did depart
For Saint Helena's shores,
And did he rage and did he curse
Or did he mutter something worse?
Oh no, he sang a tuneful verse,
Rehearsing all his wars.
And in the South Atlantic he
Displayed such equanimity,
His hand he pressed across his chest -
And gazed out at the sea.
So when you step upon a stair,
And find too late there's nothing there,
Great Boney too fell, just like you -
Down through the empty air.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: bbc
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:37 PM

Good one, gargoyle!

bbc

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:20 PM

Don't listen to that "inner voice".

Satan is a sly old Fox.
If I could, I'd lock him in a box.
Lock him in a box and through away The key,
For all the tricks he's played on me.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Just have fun. If you do....the audience will too. Joy is contagious.

Subject: RE: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: kendall
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:07 PM

It happens every time these days.

Subject: 'I never want to perform again!'
From: Andy7
Date: 04 Oct 16 - 07:00 PM

Do you ever get that feeling, after a singaround session? It happened to me quite a lot when I started out, and still does, just now and then!

Perhaps the session even went rather well ... people seemed quite appreciative of my songs, and there were no blunders.

But suddenly, along come those feelings:

"Did people really enjoy what I did, or were they just tolerating me (because folk folk are welcoming), and being polite?"

"I sang that song way better at home, it must have sounded really awful just now!"

"I put everything into that, I thought I did great; yet no one made a single comment."

"I was way outclassed by the singers that went just before me, and just after me! Why would anyone else want to listen to my stuff?"

"That's it; I never want to perform again!"

I've been performing now for long enough to ignore these feelings, and just carry on. Yet they still do occur from time to time; so I'm interested to know how many other performers have them too.