1st Open Mic

[podunklander]

..................................

[Yuri]

Congratulations Pam!
Enjoyed your playing while you visited with us during Massey 08. Keep it up as it gets somewhat easier each time. Somewhat, because many of the big stars still get the jitters each time they step on stage. It's what keeps them sharp and motivated to do their best for the audience each and every time. If you want to get an honest opinion of a show, plant some trusted friends among the audience to give you some feedback on their comments.
Yuri

[podunklander]

Thanks Yuri! Well you know I was blown away when you were playing your bass :). Man, you are awesome!

[charlene]

you are a braver woman than i - and i play air guitar..!!!
lol

[Jesse Joe]

Char your being too modest, everyone knows you play a mean "Air Geetar". I bet that's why your in Florida, your on tour promoting your new tunes... :biggrin: :)

[Patti]

Congratulations Pam! :) I'm glad you had a wonderful time.

[Cathy]

My advice is, you're not going to please 100% of the listeners 100% of the time. Some will like you, some won't. Everyone has their own preferences. It's human nature. As long as you and some of the audience enjoy it, keep doing it. It will get easier every time.

When I was a kid, I was too shy to sing in front of anyone. In fact, I didn't really start singing in public until about 2001. I was shocked that I stayed cool as a cucumber. I guess I was probably at the point in my life where I just thought if they didn't like it, they didn't have to listen. I didn't hear any gripes, so I guess the majority of the audience liked it.

It's strange that I don't get nervous. Val and I to Grant Avenue, where I recorded a CD with Bob Doidge, and I wasn't even a little nervous. I had a great time. It was supposed to be a demo, but Bob and I had so much fun that we ended up doing a full CD. He's one heck of a musician.

If you get nervous, keep on performing. Eventually your confidence level will rise.

[Cathy]

And... in spite of what it says, I'm not a senior member. I'm 29. Right, Char?

[Moosedog]

Pam, it sounds like you did great! :)

Vickie

[podunklander]

Thanks every1 :) Appreciate the advice Cathy :) makes perfect sense...thanks! Sounds like you've had a very good experience with performing and having fun with it! p.s. I've heard alot of good things about your music :)

I did get a few more comments at work tonight - but the manager has not come forth with any comment. Irks me because I KNOW that means she didn't like it :( I tried to prod something out of here one way or another...but no go!

A few of the musicians that were there last night, came into the bar tonight...but I don't think they recognized me in my work attire.

I never had too much of a problem w/stagefright when I did community theater -being well-rehearsed helps! Same with public talks, etc., I can cope a little better if I'm well-prepared.

Well maybe I'll give the open mic another shot! 2nd and 4th thursdays through the summer!

Pam

[BILLW]

And... in spite of what it says, I'm not a senior member. I'm 29. Right, Char?


Whatever the age it's good to read you again Cathy. Good advice to Pam.

Bill :)

[charlene]

both of us are 29 Cathy.. I still remember you sitting at the Delta in 2001 and singing and playing for us for the first time..you had the biggest smile when you were done..it was fabulous..

[jj]

Thanks every1 :) Appreciate the advice Cathy :) makes perfect sense...thanks! Sounds like you've had a very good experience with performing and having fun with it! p.s. I've heard alot of good things about your music :)


1st, if you've not seen Cathy pick, sing, perform, there's a taste, right off the bat here in part 2 of one of the 2001 char video threads:

YouTube - FOL May 2001 - Part 2

and it's good to see Cathy back, I remember one of the the first newsgroup threads I searched was regarding pickin patterns ...I read responses from Derek, Cathy, Val, etc where they described Travis pickin string patterns and all that ...I haven't taken music (dumb omission) but they explained it in a way using string numbers and fret positions (tabs?) so all could understand what they were describing ...anyhow, it was enough to realize what they were able to do with their fingers was making my brain hurt, impressive! ...btw, I didn't realize you had an unfortunate setback, Cathy, hope all is well again

ok, real fun to read your inner brain type post, Pam ...I've no seasoned performer type advice as I'm more of a closet musician (was tough to fit the piano in there!) however if you're that concerned about others, my approach to a jam is to either play original tunes or covers that nobody knows so that way your not being compared to anything they've heard on the radio, etc

the other strategy is to drink, drink, drink before going up there ...it usually leads to playing way out of time and droning vocals but atleast it makes ya give less of a darn (great grammar) about the crowd's opinions

but it's not such good advice if you need to drive back from your gig

sorry, I missed you at the Thursday jam...did Sir JF video tape you?

[talbot10]

[QUOTE=podunklander;139327]Thought I'd share this...especially since I know there are quite a few beginning guitarists here!

"I (reluctantly) performed (played guitar and sang) in front of a small audience @ 60+ people for my 1st time ever open mic! In the past, I've tried playing/singing for smaller groups, but have such bad stagefright, that my throat would tighten up when I tried to sing and I couldn't even move my fingers over the strings of my guitar.

It helped that I got there early (it's a club where I work) to meet and talk to the guys who were running the open mic. I told "Joe" about my terrifying stagefright, and he tried to put me at ease."

Great to hear Pam! Glad you had a great time.... keep it up and just have fun...It will get easier
Bill

[jj]

hi Bill ...yet another great performer I missed taping at 2006 jam, apparently I was a day late but heard some audio capture, top notch

most of my reply was tongue in cheek, but Bill has summed it up best, it will get easier ...take advantage of the summer to attend and play at some outdoor jams, they seem so less intimidating and 'enclosed'

[podunklander]

JJ! Thanks for posting this video...I've seen but didn't realize it was the Cathy!!!! Cathy, if you're reading this...awesome :) WOW!!!!!

I don't know many technical terms for guitar playing. Have always been pretty much on my own and just try to pick some things up from watching others play. I have difficulty replicating sound, etc., just from listening though. I'd like to find out just what my picking style is called and all that.

Have never seriously taken lessons. I tried a few times -last time was maybe 20 years ago
:(. I love to write songs and used to belong to the Connecticut Songwriter's Assc. and the SGA.

Not too many people to get together with for some playing. Both my guitar-playing friends are 25 miles from me, in opposite directions at that. Kind of bites being out here in the country at times and not knowing too many people, let alone one's that share the same interests!

Thank you to all who have responded here and feel free to leave more thoughts, advice etc!

btw Bill T. -have you been performing out at all?

Pam

[Jesse Joe]

Pam I applaud you for doing it, do continue. May I ask what type of axe you have me being a big guitar buff ? :)

[podunklander]

Pam I applaud you for doing it, do continue. May I ask what type of axe you have me being a big guitar buff ? :)

Right now I have a G125 Martin Goya and an AEG10 Ibanez acoustic/electric...which has been a lemon from the day I bought it.

The best guitar I ever played/owned was an Ovation custom legend acoustic/electric which I still regret having parted with. I've also had 2 really good Yamahas.

For the open mic, I played an Ovation Celebrity that someone let me use. It played/sounded pretty good!

[RM]

keep it up and just have fun
Bill

That's the best advice of all. Don't take it too seriously, be yourself, make light of the unavoidable "flubs", and the audience will feel at ease. I also suggest presenting much of your own work. You might be surprised at what they like. I know I was.

[talbot10]

hi Bill ...yet another great performer I missed taping at 2006 jam, apparently I was a day late but heard some audio capture, top notch

most of my reply was tongue in cheek, but Bill has summed it up best, it will get easier ...take advantage of the summer to attend and play at some outdoor jams, they seem so less intimidating and 'enclosed'

HI Jim,
Thanks I really appreciate it. Sorry I missed that Saturday jam in 2006. It sure looked like great fun! Take care my friend.
Bill

[Jesse Joe]

Right now I have a G125 Martin Goya and an AEG10 Ibanez acoustic/electric...which has been a lemon from the day I bought it.

The best guitar I ever played/owned was an Ovation custom legend acoustic/electric which I still regret having parted with. I've also had 2 really good Yamahas.

For the open mic, I played an Ovation Celebrity that someone let me use. It played/sounded pretty good!

Thanks for the guitar info Pam, I too have sold guitars that I wish I still had. I heard folk singer Valdy in an Interview on CBC in the 80's saying he also sold some he wish he still had ! :)

[lighthead2toe]

Very lovely post Pam. Now had we known about you during the pub jam sessions in Toronto we could have had a lot more fun. You won't escape us the next time. But it's wonderful that you did that open mike gig. The advice that Bill and Ron M gave is the same as I would give. It's all about shedding and let the chips fall where they may. It's all about having fun. You did mention that you wanted to stay up there and do more so in effect you practically overcame your bout of stage fright and maybe not even realized it happened. Making that very first initial step up to the stage is the big one and after that things just seem to fall into place and it keeps getting better. You're on a roll gal, you go! Ron J.