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24 May 09 - 05:47 PM (#2640045) Subject: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill I joined Mudcat about 6 months ago when I started thinking about playing some music as a retirement hobby and needed some lyrics and other information. I got some encourgement from Kat and Peace and Don Firth and especially Will Fly and some of his friends. I wasn't planning to be doing anything this soon but some friends convinced me to try performing at an open-mike last Friday night. Now, to be clear, I'm not strictly a folkie or anything else. I do some folk, some jazz and some classical guitar and I sing some. For what it's worth, there is my report on my first performance since 1962 at http://frontporch.freephpbb3.com/the-open-mike-report-vt53.html . First timers may find it interesting. IF you care to see what the songs mentioned were supposed to sound like, my practice videos are at www.youtube.com/user/bamfiles Thanks to those of you who encouraged me to try. I may never forgive you. |
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24 May 09 - 06:06 PM (#2640058) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Noreen Try this link instead (above doesn't work): http://www.youtube.com/user/bamfiles |
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24 May 09 - 06:17 PM (#2640069) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,lox Nice guitar ... ... whats the spec? |
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24 May 09 - 08:00 PM (#2640109) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: jeddy thankyou for putting the other link in i really enjoyed that i closed my eyes and was transported to a festie campsite! i've been on mudcat a while now and still haven't got a clue as to what et. al.. means can someone tell me please? i feel like i have turned 2 pages at once and it makes no sense. i'm new to this computer lark can you tell? |
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24 May 09 - 08:08 PM (#2640116) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: olddude Very nice job, I like you voice and sound Dan |
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24 May 09 - 08:14 PM (#2640119) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bill D "et al" is not a Mudcat specific term....just an old Latin term for "and some more" |
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24 May 09 - 08:29 PM (#2640126) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: jeddy cheers bill! now i can stop feeling like the dunce of the class |
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24 May 09 - 08:32 PM (#2640129) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,lox I thought Et Al was a town not far from Nuneaton ... |
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24 May 09 - 08:42 PM (#2640131) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Amos In law it means "and others". A |
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24 May 09 - 08:47 PM (#2640136) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,CLETUS HARDDINGER I jus figgerd he cudent spel too good an whut he ment was et all like he dun kleent hiz plate and et up all tha vittles. jedddy dude ya gotta wurk on yer big letterz an spellin an stuff CLETUS |
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24 May 09 - 08:52 PM (#2640140) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,lox Or what the fonz from happy days did to get fat so quickly ... |
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24 May 09 - 09:01 PM (#2640149) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Ian Fyvie Retirement and redundancy can be good times to try something new or revisit teenage aspirations sidelined by career and/or family. I hope the entire folk world welcomes and encourages Bruce and others with similar enthusiasm to 'have a go'. Open Mic nights can be OK - audiences expect and mix of accomplished performers and beginners. Better I suggest would be to try the folk clubs- as a start- those described as singarounds are almost guaranteed to be beginner friendly. Of those which book guests, a good club would include on its website something about floorsingers being welcome or not; or under specified circumstances. Clubs that are cold to floor singers I avoid like the Plague but if you find yourself at one, cut your losses by picking up a local folk diary which will include a good selection of club types. Get chatting at the bar to get some personal recommendations as to where beginners are welcome. In Brighton we run three singarounds a week where beginners are welcome. Here's the link: myspace.com/fyviesfolk |
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24 May 09 - 09:08 PM (#2640159) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: katlaughing VERY nice, Bruce, congratulations!! |
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24 May 09 - 09:44 PM (#2640182) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: wysiwyg Just remember: Music ruins lives. :~) ~S~ |
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25 May 09 - 05:33 AM (#2640294) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Will Fly Ian - wise words indeed - for someone in the UK. However, Bruce lives in Virginia - with not a lot around either side of him. As our Cousins across the Pond tell us over and over again, we're very lucky to have the variety of venues to perform in over here, and close networks of friends to jam with. I could play somewhere or with someone every night of the week if I chose to, without travelling more than 30 minutes in any direction. That's not the case for Bruce and for many like him. It's no wonder, with the wealth of performance riches that we have over here, that our cousins are amazed at the way we often squabble and fall out over these same riches! Bruce is a member of the discussion board I run at the Front Porch, and one of the things that we do is to give active encouragement, advice and help - where we can - for people like Bruce to get up and do their thing. I'm really pleased for him that he had the moxie to play at the open mic - perhaps a difficult and slightly traumatic experience - but he did it! |
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25 May 09 - 07:07 AM (#2640335) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Thanks. Lox, I assume you mean the old Gibson guitar. It's a 1959 L7-C that I got new as my first "Real guitar". It has a lot of miles on it and shows some wear but it still plays well. It's an acoustic orchestral guitar so there are occasions when I need to amp it for volume. I once asked a luthier about putting a pickup on it but he threatened to shoot me if I put a hole in that guitar so it lives with a 50 year old bolt-on that still works. The other 2 in the videos are a Gibson ES-165, which is something like the L7 but has a pickup and an Alvarez CY-116 classical. It was the L7 I used at the open-mike which just looks strange to round-hole players but you have to play what you have. Sorry about the latin. I used to have to work around a lot of lawyers. The basic reasons to open this thread, incidentally, was to give my original supporters a status and to warn anyone going up for the first time to expect the unexpected. I can't say I live in the middle of nowhere but that's only because no one has surveyed the area to determine the exact middle. I think it's close by. And yes, over here we are envious of the folk clubs and other venues across the pond. One of my first posts on Mudcat was asking if there were any catters around here and the answer was no. So, my options were limited and I took what I could get, traumatic as it was. Thanks for the kind words. Bruce |
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25 May 09 - 07:30 AM (#2640346) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Waddon Pete Hello Bruce, Thanks for sharing with us. I'm sure many people will enjoy your playing and take comfort from your experiences! I certainly know what you mean about not being able to hear yourself playing due to the siting of the speakers! I think dipping another toe in the water is an option! The first time at a venue, you are the newbie. The next time, they'll know who you are. Perhaps a quiet word with the band about joining in might bear fruit! Just be glad they were not playing melodeons!* Best wishes, Peter *Not that I've anything against melodeons.** **except when they.........! |
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25 May 09 - 07:43 AM (#2640357) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: The Borchester Echo et al. (no point after "et" as it is not an abbreviation) = (L) et alia = and others. What the title is, presumably, meant to imply, is inter alia = among others. and some more / and the rest is et cetera. As one of my old classics tutors used to say: tintinabulum clamat. |
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25 May 09 - 08:06 AM (#2640368) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Ian Fyvie Bruce - sorry about th assumption you live in the UK. I'm normally aware that we are an international discussion group - apols for forgetting this time. Will - thanks for pointing out Bruce is thousands of miles from the UK folk scene. Ian |
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25 May 09 - 04:47 PM (#2640716) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Ian, no appology required. Where I live, I'm thousands of miles from anywhere. We did get a Latin lesson out of this though and that has to be worth something. I should have known from French that et is a complete word. |
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25 May 09 - 05:52 PM (#2640776) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: katlaughing Where I live, I'm thousands of miles from anywhere. Me, too, but you have inspired me. Maybe this year I will be brave and put up an ad for other folkies...see if I can get some kind of session going. The towns away from us have some folks, but right here in the Valley, it seems sparse or quiet. |
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25 May 09 - 06:10 PM (#2640791) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: jeddy i have taken the fact that we have lots of choice of gigs and festies for granted thankyou for reminding me that i am very lucky indeed to live where i do and meet the people i have met.and i hope any of you struggling to find like minded others are successful and have a wicked time!!!! |
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26 May 09 - 11:10 AM (#2641174) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Now that a few days have passed, I think that perhaps I understand what happened. The Moose Lodge hadn't done an open-mic in several years apparently and no one I talked to beforehand could tell me how it was going to work. No one was actually in charge. Perhaps in the past when they had done open-mic nights all they got was a few drunks who wanted to sing with the band. The band may not have been expecting someone wanting to perform solo any more than I was expecting to play with the band. They may have been as confused as I was. When I went back up to do another song, they made no effort to join me and after the one song, one band member suggested I do another, which I did, and again they left me alone. In fairness to the band, they were good bar room entertainment for the crowd that was there. I think they weren't prepared for me any more than I was prepared for them. Unless and until I get some feedback from someone in the audience to the contrary, that's my theory and I really feel pretty good about the end of the experience anyway. Go for it Kat. What can it hurt? |
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26 May 09 - 12:13 PM (#2641210) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Dorothy Parshall You're doing great, Bruce! When I sang at amateur night at the "hotel" (read "bar") in Ontario, I did not even notice that people were talking. Now that you mention it, I'm sure they were! Well, my attitude is, if one person is moved by it..... The owner stopped being angry with me taking up space and not drinking anything but apple juice. So, I'll bet there were a few in that uncouth audience who were trying to hear you. The future beckons. |
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27 May 09 - 08:20 AM (#2641838) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,.gargoyle Best Wishes in your adventure Mr. McN
When you become more entertaining than the immediate conversations you will have hit the big-time.
Even big ol pete seegar - could not hold the audience quiet at his b-day gig...look at the vids.
Sincerely,
Keep encouraging 'that one' there is a lot of inertia there. |
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27 May 09 - 09:11 AM (#2641874) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Charley Noble Congratulations, Bruce. Sharing musical interests is a large part of what happens here, once you figure out how to navigate the website. Charley Noble |
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27 May 09 - 09:27 AM (#2641885) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Thanks again for the encouragement. I love the Mudcat site. I just try to keep from stepping into anything I'll have to scrape off my shoes. Catters have been very helpful to an old fool getting in over his head. Bruce |
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27 May 09 - 10:36 AM (#2641914) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Dorothy Parshall "over his head" A lifeguard talked about having to rescue a woman who was screaming help. When he got to her, she was on her knees, "drowning"! Either panic stricken or finding a dramatic way to meet the lifeguard? Bruce - you are not on your knees, not over your head and you are not an "old fool". You are a human being making the most of your life - following your dream and making it real. You are LIVING! And if scraping something off your shoes is the worst thing that happens.... |
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27 May 09 - 02:50 PM (#2642081) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: PoppaGator That Moose Lodge event wasn't really what most folks would call an "open mike" ~ more like the kind of thing I've seen billed as "live band karaoke." Sounds like you did OK despite the nasty circumstances. Hang in there! Here in the US, we don't have the seemingly ubiquitous system of folk clubs, sing-arounds, etc, as in the UK. On the other hand, in most cases where you do find an opportunity to perform her in the US, your choice of repertoire will be tolerated unquestioningly; no one will expect you to "be strictly a folkie." Whatever genre(s) you choose to express yourself will be acceptable; in Britain, it seems that the "Folk Police" mentality is more prevalent than over here on our side of the pond. I know that the Commonwealth of Virginia covers a very large area. If you're anywhere near DC, think about attending the annual Getaway, a weekend event sponsored by a Washington-area folk society that has become, unofficially, a sort of Mudcat reunion. I've never made it myself, but hope to do so someday. It might be a possibility for you. And if, on the other hand, you're located miles and miles to the southwest in or near the Shenandoah Valley, you might send a PM to fellow 'catter Bobert, who lives outside Luray and has managed to find a few opportunities to play. |
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27 May 09 - 03:41 PM (#2642114) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Poppagator, I'm hearing that alot, just do what I do and people will accept it and maybe they will. Just for information, unbeknownst to most folks, including Virginians, there's a small strip of land that is not actually attached to Virginia but is governed by Virginia. It's cal "The Eastern Shore" and it's many miles from D.C. or the valley and about 4 hours, traffic permitting from Richmond. As you might expect it's pretty quiet over here. Bruce |
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27 May 09 - 03:55 PM (#2642124) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: PoppaGator Aha, The DelMarVa peninsula ~ you really are off the beaten track there! Despite growing up not too far away (in NJ), I've never been there. I imagine that the southernmost "Va" section is the most isolated of all. Does that four hour trip from Richmond include a ferry ride? |
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27 May 09 - 04:48 PM (#2642179) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill Nope. A few years ago they built a 24 mile bridge with 2 tunnels in it, about 40 miles south of me, to get over to Virginia Beach. If I see a car with Jersey plates it's either coming or going to or from Virginia Beach. Nobody stops here except for cheap gas and cigarettes. |
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27 May 09 - 06:29 PM (#2642270) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Artful Codger Guess there's a moral: When feasible, check out an "open mike" session as a spectator first! Kat: Are you thinking of starting a song circle first, or going right to arranging an open mike session at a bar? Some classes (for stand-up, jazz singing and such) at "open universities" and community centers end by having a public performance night--and often the "classes" are little more than a way for like-minded folks to get together and share, getting their feet wet in "safe" setting; you'd function more as a moderator than a tutor. Another option you might consider, if you don't mind the lead time. Gargoyle: Interesting suggestion about performing at farmers' markets. |
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27 May 09 - 06:37 PM (#2642280) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: katlaughing Thanks, AC. I don't feel comfortable discussing this publicly any more due to certain guttersnipes. Great suggestions, though, and I was thinking more of a song circle. |
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27 May 09 - 06:48 PM (#2642287) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Dorothy Parshall Both farm markets on South Whidbey have musicians each week. Wonderful music and good appreciation - but this is Whidbey. It's a different world. Tons of musicians, artists, crafts people, environmentalists and other interesting folks. |
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27 May 09 - 07:45 PM (#2642327) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: Bruce MacNeill I have to be fair to my new home. I worked 40 years around Boston, Syracuse, Detroit and Philadelphia. I'd pretty much had it with work and with suburbia. I retired to a place where I can hear the fishing boats going out in the morning and watch the sea birds as well as hawks and eagles soaring overhead. If I happen to be outside at 4am during a power failure, which has been known to happen, I can see the Milky-Way very clearly and it's so quiet I can hear the birds snoring in the trees. I can sit on my back deck with an amplifier turned up to at least 5 and know that I'm not bothering anyone because there's no one near enough to hear it. I have a nice house, pool, and my wife has a good job at the local hospital. Overall life is good. Music was a later idea and I was surprised to find so little of it around. I don't know why I was surprised, there's little of anything around. I can sit on my front porch, look out across 500 acres of corn, this year anyway, sip a Scotch and say, yeah that's why we did that other 40 years or geek work. It's really a very nice place to retire. I started into a 2 year plan to see if I could make some music around here, for fun. That was about 6 months ago so I still have time. Going out on a limb, I tried something last Friday and came away dazed and confused. Just another learning experience among many in life. I thought I'd share the experience for what it was worth. I appreciate the kind comments I've received. Once I get over the trauma, I'll get back to the plan and I'll find a venue even if I have to create it. Actually, there appears to be an opportunity here somewhere to fill a void. There's little or no competition. Still working on it. Bruce |
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28 May 09 - 12:40 AM (#2642443) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: katlaughing That sounds beautiful, Bruce, thanks for painting a picture for us. I don't know about Farmer's Markets elsewhere, but here the musicians are booked well in advance and amateurs need not apply. "Drop-ins are not welcome" is on their entertainment application. That's way more "out there" than I am looking for anyway. I'll be happy just playing and singing with someone in a kitchen.:-) |
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28 May 09 - 01:52 AM (#2642461) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: JennieG Bruce, where you live sounds like an ideal existence! Cheers JennieG |
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28 May 09 - 02:17 PM (#2642931) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: PoppaGator When feasible, check out an "open mike" session as a spectator first! Truer words were never spoken, Artful! Going into an completely unknown environment to perform is a pretty scary prospect. I've always checked out the venue at a first visit before returning the following week (or month) to put myself out there on the bandstand. There can be reasons to make exceptions, of course. My son's very first venture into comedy performance was at a local weekly open mike. The first time he went, he intended to sit quietly in the corner, watch and liten, and decide whether he would have the nerve to perform next time. When he arrived, he was asked to pay a cover charge (maybe 3-5 bucks) unless he were going to perform, in which case he'd get in for free. So he took the cheapskate route and began his (still ongoing) standup comedy career that very night. He killed, that night and each night for another few weeks, and within less than two months he packed up and moved to New York City for a shot at the Big Time. |
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29 May 09 - 11:05 PM (#2644005) Subject: RE: For First Timers, et. al.. From: GUEST,.gargoyle ANOTHER - Removal - without explanation???? So...
I am led to believe...we have an Iran .... Korea ...situation developing on the Mudcat in 2009?
Sincerely,
Reluctantly...most reluctantly...I must consult Sir Winston's "Gathering Storm."
-Joe Offer- |