Musical Intimidation Factor

Subject: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 01:06 PM

I just found out that a Very Good Fiddler will be appearing at an event where Mister and I will also be performing. Now, I play well enough not to totally embarrass myself in public - but the thought of this person actually seeing me play is SCARY! My brain knows that he was once where I am now - but my spirit is somewhat intimidated.

All good thoughts welcomed and appreciated.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: chip a
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 01:10 PM

I used to work with a guy, who, when I was intimidated by an upcoming task, would clap me on the back and say: "don't worry, we can do anything that can be done by us!" Helped me every time.

Chip

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 01:24 PM

You have my sympathy Kim. I freeze up when I am around "experienced" singers and feel as if only little squeaks are coming out. Sometimes - real panic attacks. Stupid but there it is.
Keep in mind, VGF has been where you are and more than likely will enjoy your performance.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Vixen
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 01:30 PM

Dear Kim--

It may be too late to use this strategy for this particular event, but I try to spend all my social-musical time in the company of musicians who are better than I am. There's no shortage of them, and when it comes to having an occasional famous or intimidating one in the bunch, well, it's just somebody else I can learn something from. In my music circle, EVERYBODY who plays is better than I am at something, and I try to learn whatever that is.

My $0.02; your mileage may vary

V

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:09 PM

We've all been there. Keep in mind also that every musician in the world is intimidated by someone. In my experience the best musicians have little interest in feeling or acting superior to other musicians -- they tend to appreciate you for what you do, rather than disparage you for your shortcomings (real or perceived).

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: GUEST,Nancy
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:20 PM

As one easily intimidated I'm very familiar with MIF. Tho it happened many years ago I still remember having to go up on open mic night right after a surprise visit from Jose Feliciano....with my 10 chords and imperfect Travis lick.....and a voice that is unstable at the best of times. It helps me to think of all the times I've seen really great musicians flub...forget verses, etc. and how gracefully and unconcernedly they've recovered...this is part of the pleasure of live music after all, the immediacy and intimacy of it....usually puts the audience in the palm of their hands. Breathe...very helpful! And play for your best self, nobody else....Good luck, but you wont need it...you'll be fine... nancy

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Bert
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:34 PM

I have found that what Whistle Stop says is pretty much true. The BEST musicians always seem to be the ones who are most tolerant of others.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Songster Bob
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:34 PM

You can always open your set by saying, "And now for something completely different!"

... and play up the "Aw, shucks!" content. Be professional but "homey," 'cause slick don't work when you're shaking in your boots. An admission that "I'm nervous" can work -- as long as you don't make an obsession of saying and acting nervous. I've seen a few performers who kept saying how nervous they were, and the more they said it, the more they believed it and the more we in the audience noticed it. Some people get so nervous it's almost a tic, and it's like watching a breakdown in public.

Now, if you have an instrumental, particularly an original, that you can open with, call it the "Nervous Breakdown" and get the jitters out by playing it. If you shake or hit a lot of clams, the audience can think it's part of the tune, given the name of the tune.

Bob C.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Hawker
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:35 PM

Kim,
I used to be nervous of singing / playing in front of anybody, I have seen a lot of singers and musicians, and though I am in no way the worlds greatest, I am not the worst either, playing and singing with people who have a greater ability than yourself is daunting, but is also very beneficial, most people are only too happy to encourage and compliment, they have all been there and know how you are feeling, and I know a lot of big names who still get nervous, even though you wouldn't know it to look at them, remember you haven't got a reputation that preceeds you!
I found this poem in a book in a pub once, its so true...........

Whatever you are be that
Whatever you speak say true
Straightforwardly act,
Be honest, infact
Be nobody else but you.

Good luck, it'll be a breeze once you relax into it!
Let us know how you get on!
Lucy

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Shall
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:43 PM

Kim, I have played with many great players,I have been nervous, mostly in awe. I am always ready to pick up some "trick" from them, especially in bowing technique.I have been fiddling for years so I comfortable with my violin. In my expereince I've found that "good" fiddlers and musicians will do all they can do to make the musical experience wonderful. They will feel your strengths and back you up, if you get a bit shakey, they will jump back on the melody until you find your way and then back off doing chords, harmony, counter melodies and complimentary playing. The team approach seems to work best with my music friends. But a word of caution, there's usally someone that follows the LOOK AT ME approach, instead of HERE I AM. In that case, I back out gracefully and let them do their thing. The music and the spirit is where it's at for me. I am content to play in the dark.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 04:36 PM

Thanks y'all. I know this guy didn't spring full-grown from the head of Zeus. I did meet him briefly a couple of years ago and he seems to be a really good egg. But I think if I be who I am everything will work out just ducky.

It's not till May, though, so I am going to PRACTICE in the meantime! :-)

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 04:47 PM

I remember a story about Toscanini.

He was on a cruise with his family, and the cruise shiphad a really lousy dance band. A sympathetic lady said to Toscanini's son, "This music must hurt your father's ears."

The son said, " But they all sound that way to father."

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 06:42 PM

The best musicians I have come across have been very encouraging towards others and want you to do well.

Jon

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Justa Picker
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 07:28 PM

Ditto. (What John Freeman said.)

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 08:29 PM

Just get those semi-quavers under control.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 10:25 PM

Kim, I've been in your shoes a few times. Some of them have been when I've played with my friend Shall who posted just up the thread a bit. Mostly I've found really good musicians to be pretty gracious around those of us who play less well.

Good luck with your performance.

Carol

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 11:45 PM

Kim, here's a little trick. First tell the other fiddler that you're a bit dumbstruck....trust me you'll feel better....then ask him if you could have the honour of his company on one tune. He WILL say yes. You'll have a ball!

Rick

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 02:42 AM

Kim... be sure to play a few songs that you are really comfortable with. You know, the ones you know inside out and can hum backwards... The sheer terror won't even matter. Also, play them through a bunch of times every day for a week or so beforehand...

I got into a nasty habit of writing songs a day or two before open mics, and it made my pre-performances dreadful, which then carried over into the show... Playing a song to impress when it is too new is a similar problem... Now, I only perform what is on my "top Twenty" list, and even then, I try to play 'em a lot, and regularly. It doesn't matter if you do it perfectly when you are going through the motions at one in the morning, but just relax it through every chance you get. Like the gardener's adage "the best fertilizer to be found the world over, is the farmers footprint in the soil!"

You can do it! ttr

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 04:14 AM

Hi

DO NOT be intimerdated!! 'THAT' fiddler is probably just interested in having a session as much as you. He never got to the level he was to make you put your fiddle down!! Take the chance of such a good player passing by, get some tips of him and improve yourself with his visit. You obiously respect him and the best way to show your respect to this good player is to play not put it down. Now pick up your fiddle and play, its what you enjoy!!

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Kim C
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 10:25 AM

Thanks ----y'all are the BEST!

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Shall
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 11:10 AM

Please let us know how the gig went and how you felt after the gig was over.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: GUEST,Paul G.
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 12:16 PM

A few years ago at a festival here in Florida I was booked for a main stage set between sets by Roy Bookbinder and Sam Pacetti (Sam is easily the most crowd pleasing young finger-style guitar player in the State). While a bit nervous about being the evenings sacrificial lamb, I simply determined to rise to the level of the day and performed what was, up to that point, my best work. Turns out the set was recorded and used in a Public Broadcasting Documentary about Florida music. My advise is to accept the circumstance as an opportunity to rise above the butterflys in your gut, and shine!

Paul

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: annamill
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 01:19 PM

Kim, this isn't meant to scare you. It's just a story about a musical intimidation horror story.

I once saw a concert on PBS with Pete Seegar and Arlo Gutherie. Pete went first and when his half hour was up and he was to give way to Arlo, the crowd actually wouldn't let Pete off the stage. They kept holloring 'NO, NO!!' whenever Pete tried to give over the stage. Finally, Pete had to explain to the audience that they were being very rude to Arlo. The audience still complained and Pete just got off and poor, poor Arlo had to come up and PLAY! Can you imagine??

Just make sure you play first. ;-) **BG**

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 01:45 PM

Thinking of Sam's comments and not wanting to put the intrument down, I have known a couple of performers who, when they came to the folk clubs in our area asked straight away "where is the session afterwards?".

I've always thought it great that some of these people are not just content with coming down to do thier job but when they have been able have actively looked to join in with everyone afterwards.

Jon

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Kim C
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 03:11 PM

annamill - I don't think we will have to play on the same stage! It would really be all right, though, because our act is different from his anyhow. Y'all have really boosted my spirits. Now I keep reminding myself that I can do anything that can be done by me! ;-)

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: GUEST,sam Pirt
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 03:33 PM

Listen, last year I was playing at the The Cambridge Folk Festival where I got the chance to do a duet with Kepa Junkera on the Radio 2 stage as he missed the first day so joined in on a 'session concert' on the radio 2 stage with 422 and Blazing Fiddles. He did not know any Irish tunes but I knew 2 Galcian tunes out of every other musician there so we played them together and did a duet! Now I was nervous but belive me the last thing I was going to do was put my accordion down!! It was a chance to play with a true master. The nice thing with music is all of of sudden you will find yourself playing with someone you least expect, you will be nervous but by heck you'll enjoy it and look back on it forever.

Oh ye we also had a session afterwards!

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: pattyClink
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 05:26 PM

I'm not an expert on fiddling matters, but has anyone mentioned--you are both there to share your tunes with the AUDIENCE! Concentrate on putting them across as well as you can to one smiling face in the audience. Look at the people (or your strings) and assume the Great Man is in the loo if possible. You wouldn't have been booked if you were incompetent. The audience knows they will see a broad range of skill, all suitable for display in public. Do your part and have fun!

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: mousethief
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 05:57 PM

Gosh, so many good and worthwhile words have been said, I'm not sure I can add anything, except good vibes. You can do it, go get 'em girl, break a leg!

Alex

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 07:57 PM

Folk music is about different people doing different things that they've learnt to do pretty well. So unless the particular things you do pretty well is exactly the same particular thing as the honoured guest does presumably extremely well, no problem.

Every concert or festival I've ever been at has people operating at all kinds of levels, and all the better for it. As often as not the music that really gets to me isn't technically the best anyway, it's speaks to me for quite other reasons maybe.

A dawn chorus isn't just blackbirds and thrushes, it needs starlings and crows as well.

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Bernard
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 03:10 PM

Everyone has something to offer that makes them unique.

So what if you think someone is better than you? They are probably envious of some gift you have...

Just go for it!!!

Subject: RE: Musical Intimidation Factor
From: Kim C
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 11:12 AM

Well, you know, I bet he can't yodel. Except we won't be doing THAT at an 18th century trade fair!

The gentleman in question, while an outstanding fiddler, is also known for playing the hurdy-gurdy and the glass armonica. So he will be doing several other things besides fiddling.

My brain knows it will be great fun. I just have to get the rest of me to go along! ;-)