Prof - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:31:33

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I was just approached by our choir director about accompanying I'll Fly Away in church... THIS Sunday! I know this isn't a very difficult tune, but I've not spent time on it at all yet. Furthermore --I'll have the inevitable nerves running a muck (this will be my second such performance in my life -- the first coming earlier this year). If I go through with it, I'll be playing along with the piano (never done this before). Any advice to get ready and/or make it through successfully?

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

Shodon - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:40:26

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Fisrt, ask the "key", so you can practice and decide what how mcuch picking is confortable to you and what fits. Sometines piano music can be in some odd ball keys. Get with the piano player and run through it a couple of times, you'll be fine. Use to do a lot of this with guitar many years ago.

"Even though I have a Black Belt in the Martial Arts my banjo always kicks my butt"

dcb - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:41:51

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here is a pretty streight foward version. pretty easy to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZDsd3J7TE
Dave

1968 Gibson Bowtie

Prof - Posted - 10/29/2009:  09:42:54

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It's in G, so the key won't be an issue. Does it sound ok to just keep playing the melody along with the piano, or does it make more sense to alternate as if in a band setting?

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

vmarkant - Posted - 10/29/2009:  10:31:45

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It probably makes more sense to play backup with the piano and do the melody if they give you a break. Remember who you're playing for and it will be fine.

Just picking up pickin'
Vicki

Banjov1 - Posted - 10/29/2009:  13:50:45

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I would definitely play backup with the piano. If you do have to do a melody line/lead break, try to do it later in the song. It's tough enough to play simple rolls the first couple times you have to play in public. Especially at church where you're not able to do any warm up rolls. So you end up actually warming up by playing simple rolls or backup pinches for the first couple verses and choruses, then if you do have to do the melody, if you do it later in the tune your fingers will feel a little more agile/comfortable.

It was nerve racking for me the first couple times I played at church. I've played guitar in front of hundreds of people before, but the banjo is different, it takes longer to get warmed up and comfortable. The first time I played at church we did Foggy Mountain Breakdown. I literally went to play the opening roll and my thumbpick completely popped off and onto the floor. Fortunately we actually had 2 banjo players and the second guy covered for me.

Here's a few tips that have helped me get more comfortable playing at my church
1) I Try to get to the church early and be able to practice about 30-45 minutes before the service starts. Sometimes that's only 10-15 minutes with the rest of the group and then I try to find a secluded room and continue my warmups
2) I try to leave my banjo on between songs. Sometimes pulling it off and on can get awkward and just be another distraction to contribute to some ugly opening rolls. So I keep it on and sit in the front row.
3) I leave my fingerpicks on and silently play my knee before the first song or two.
4) Make sure my accompanyists have the song structure down pat. Some times I've lost my place in a tune and it turns out the rest of the group is following me which compounds issues when I lose my place. If the rest of the musicians know exactly where the breaks in the song go, when I mess up, they can continue playing and my mistakes are not as noticeable.

Good luck on this and let us know how it goes


Tony

minstrelmike - Posted - 10/29/2009:  14:24:15

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If it's a church situation with just piano and banjo, plan to play the whole time.

You won't be trading leads like in a jam or in a band.

I wouldn't even do many rolls for that song. It fits very well with the square 'roll'
TITM or TMTM or TITI

You can also just do pinches or strums. All you are is accent for the tune while the singers sing.

Here is the melody on the 1st string in G along with a few appropriate chords. I used to love chording this with our dixieland band.

9789 Some [G chords]
5435 bright
0000 morn
5435 -ing
9789 when this life
10 (with the little finger)
or c:10-9-8-10 is
9789 O'
5435 er
2012 I'll [C chords]
5555 fly a
0000 way [G chords]

You can also fret only the 1st string and pick the rest open for a nice break. Backward roll works well that way.

Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html

rstieg - Posted - 10/29/2009:  16:47:42

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Well, if it was me, I'd suggest postponing the performance for awhile. I see you've just been playing since last year and you consider yourself a novice. When I was at that point I would never have considered playing in such a public forum, but maybe that's just me. If you decide to do it, I'd definitely suggest you have at least one practice session first to see how it goes, and I'd suggest you just play some backup rather than a solo.

RICH
Pleasanton, CA

The truth is a moving target... perception is more important than reality... everything is relative...

rvrose - Posted - 10/29/2009:  18:34:36

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Get together with the piano player and practice so you end up with something you are both comfortable with. Also learn how to tune your banjo to the piano. They (piano's) are not always in tune - and it is a lot easier for you to tune to the piano than the other way around. Here's a simple version.
http://www.mountainmenmusic.com/I'll-Fly-Away.mp3

Rick

CosmicMaskedAvenger - Posted - 10/29/2009:  19:26:31

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Relax and play it a little slower than you think you should....might not be a problem if the piano is setting tempo. You may get nervous and play faster than you think.

Deering Sierra
Deering Goodtime

The KIDD - Posted - 10/29/2009:  19:59:14

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Hey Dan,
Id be callin that piano player and talkin over the rhythmic structure he/shes gonna be layin down cause I can tell ya first hand that depending on the LH structure this persons gonna laydown, there could be some roll conflict. Alotta PP's put a 4/4 gallop in this tune too " Boom chucka chucka chucka":ll .....instead of the 2/4 time WE play "boom chuck boom chuck" :ll. Yeah, if their keys are handy, have them play it over the PH or send a a quick file to practice with. It will be weird without straight 1/4note downbeats too if their LH is arppegiating all over the place playin 1/8ths.
Being that ya havent done it, it would be easy to get outta time up there. Knownin MOST PP's Ive played with, they're NOT gonna stay with YOU, YOU must stay with them.


http://www.myspace.com/johnkuhnbluegrass

Prof - Posted - 10/29/2009:  20:57:01

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Thanks for all the advice, folks! After working on it a while tonight, I think I'll be able to pull off the lead, but the whole thing's not a done deal -- we're only going to get to practice about 30 minutes ahead of time, so I made sure I had an "out-clause." I told her --"Don't put my name in the bulletin." lol! The choir director is the piano player,and she's mighty talented, so I'm pretty sure she'll be able to adapt the style of her play a bit if necessary to make it work, but getting it to sound decent together with such little practice will be a challenge, for sure. I'll just keep practicing over the next couple days and see what happens!

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

---

Edited by - Prof on 10/29/2009 20:59:03

barbbanjo - Posted - 10/29/2009:  22:13:13

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Dan, be sure to post and tell us what you decided to do and how it all went. We can learn from your experience. I am always a glutton for punishment and I would go ahead and do it even if I made a fool of myself because I feel like every opportunity I have to play teaches me more. Even if you bomb, people will move on to something else to make fun of quickly! And just think, the next time you play everyone will think you have really improved. What bothers me the most is that you won't have much practice time. Doesn't the pianist have SOME time that she could get together with you to at least see how it will work out?

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.

---

Edited by - barbbanjo on 10/29/2009 22:15:08

Banjov1 - Posted - 10/29/2009:  22:59:23

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I agree with barbbanjo. Do what you can to actually play the gig even if it's not a perfect scenario. I've heard your sound bites and you sound fine.

If you don't do this performance you'll eventually be doing another performance as you continue to improve. Why not give this a try and learn from it. I doubt it will go perfectly, but at the same time, I doubt people in your church will be expecting to hear Jens Kruger. I think there's a lot to be learned from early public performances and there's fewer crowds more generous than a church congregation.

Tony

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Edited by - Banjov1 on 10/29/2009 23:00:50

Prof - Posted - 10/30/2009:  06:16:20

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quote:

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I doubt people in your church will be expecting to hear Jens Kruger.

---

Maybe not, but I know there's at least one more banjo picker in the congregation. I haven't heard him myself, but I hear he's pretty good. Even though I realize he'd probably be the last guy to criticize me (he knows I've not been picking very long), there's kind of that "wanting to impress" syndrome I'll have to get over. Or, maybe he won't be in church this week...

Actually, the good thing about this is that it's accompaniment for a congregational hymn, so it's not like I'll be doing a solo.

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

---

Edited by - Prof on 10/30/2009 06:18:08

walshb - Posted - 10/30/2009:  07:03:10

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Good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'd get up and play early that morning if I were you, before church, since you won't have much warmup time.

"I need a louder banjer, my hearing aids just quit on me!"

dpete210 - Posted - 10/30/2009:  19:33:12

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Prof, the first time I played banjo in church the banjo neck was loose and I didn't realize it. I only had it a short time and wrongly thought it was properly set up. I didn't understand why it would not stay in tune despite repeated tuning efforts during the service. My debut was a frustrating venture. When I think back on that experience I have to laugh now. It was so bad when I would take a break because the banjo neck would move a bit from my grip and suddenly lose proper tune. I can imagine my expression of sheer puzzlement, along with frustration and embarrassment, made quite a sight for those worshiping. I spent much effort in vain trying to keep that banjo in tune before I realized what was happening and was ready to toss that banjo into a bonfire. Luckily I happened to notice one day the slight neck movement while I was playing. After I fixed the problem people commented on how quickly I improved! I think it will go just fine for you. If you run into any difficulties, just play softly. Many piano players hit those keys pretty hard and you can kind of hide behind her playing. Music is worship, make a joyful sound.........and Good luck!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

CosmicMaskedAvenger - Posted - 10/30/2009:  20:44:01

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quote:

---

Maybe not, but I know there's at least one more banjo picker in the congregation. I haven't heard him myself, but I hear he's pretty good.

---

I don't know the picker...but my experience is...people always say that, whether the person is good or not. You never can tell for sure until you hear them. Don't let that bother you.

Deering Sierra
Deering Goodtime

Prof - Posted - 10/30/2009:  21:36:15

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Good point!

I've been playing the song over and over this evening, and am pretty comfortable with it, but I don't have it 100% memorized yet (learning it from tab). Hopefully it will come by Sunday morning, or else I'll be using the dreaded music stand...as a crutch if nothing else.

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

PBGuardsman - Posted - 10/30/2009:  22:46:41

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This reminds me of my first (and only) church performance. I was practicing all the songs, and luckily I only had to do backup for all of them. But my 5th string nut broke like 3 days before the service! So I had to do all the rolls on just 4 strings. And then the lead guitarist made me take a break on Country Roads, (which I hadn't practiced for), so I just ended up rolling the chords an octave up. I thought I did awful.

I told this to the Lead guitarist and he told me "don't worry they can't really tell the difference most of the time anyways." I laughed at that a little bit. Just remember that if you mess up a performance, a church is the right place to do it. Generally the folks there are a little more forgiving. (har har)

"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17 (NIV)

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/30/2009:  23:41:55

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Dan

Let the light shine through

Regards Tam

Picking a Fender FB 58 and PROUD to describe myself as a Student of the Murphy Method

walshb - Posted - 10/31/2009:  05:21:26

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This is not meant to be discouraging, but my first and only church performance didn't go all that well. Me and a guitar player, we did a few songs, I guess I just hadn't warmed up enough, and I recall being dissatisfied afterwards because I didn't play everything cleanly, there were some missed notes, timing wasn't that great, etc. It probably wasn't as bad as I remember it, but I'd sure like to have a chance to do it all over again.
Hope yours goes better man!!! Good luck!

"I need a louder banjer, my hearing aids just quit on me!"

minstrelmike - Posted - 10/31/2009:  08:14:26

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quote:

---

[i]This is not meant to be discouraging, but my first and only church performance didn't go all that well....and I recall being dissatisfied afterwards because I didn't play everything cleanly, there were some missed notes, timing wasn't that great...

---

This falls under the topic of Managing Expectations (but is not meant to be discouraging)
I'm not a full-time professional but have been playing for 35 years and have probably given several hundred performances.

Very few of them included complete satisfaction on my part even if I never missed a single note (yeah right) or slacked a single beat (ditto) or just didn't have the pizzazz I was expecting to give.

However, if you measure the performance by the number of smiles achieved in the audience (except in church of course), then you may end up achieving more satisfaction with your public performances.

Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html

pick1936 - Posted - 10/31/2009:  12:28:28

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origanally I'll Fly Away, at least played by Flatt & Scruggs, In G had no E Minor in it, for some reason all the people I pick with put in an E minor, for Me it's hard to get used to. I play banjo, and guitar in Church a lot, Nov. 22 I will be pickin banjo at Church, with pastor playing 12 string guitar along with me, We havn't practiced yet, will Tomorrow after Church, Will play in Open Neck Key C In three places on the neck, then the Pastor will take a break on guitar, and I'll run thru the Mid section again to finish,, The song (I SHALL NOT BE MOVED)..


Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

Lee Kelso

Prof - Posted - 10/31/2009:  18:19:34

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Yeah -- the version I'm picking does not have an Em, so hopefully there won't be much of a surprise for me tomorrow morning! Thanks for all the tips and encouragement -- I'll let you know how it goes. I've been playing that darn song all day long, so I'm sure my family will be glad when tomorrow's over! lol!

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

Prof - Posted - 11/01/2009:  10:31:39

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Well, thankfully it's all over. Unfortunately, three words sum up the performance:

Crash and Burn

I met with the piano player/choir director at 10:00 this morning, and I thought I had it well enough to go ahead with it in the service. There was definitely a timing issue as she was playing pretty much straight 4/4 time, which threw me at first. She adapted a little bit, and we were able to get it sounding fairly decent. Then, fast forward to the service...

Here's how it was supposed to go down: She does an intro, we both play the melody to start, I would back up the first part of the refrain, then finish together. The second verse was supposed to be all mine, then we do the third and final verse. Well, I just never could get into the flow in the first verse at all, and felt like I played the banjo for all of about 2 weeks! The second verse was just slightly better, but she played the melody since she knew I was in trouble. By the time the 3rd verse came around, I finally caught on, and was able to eek out a vague resemblance to the tune. As soon as it ended, I was trying to figure out the quickest avenue out of the church....but I'm in the choir, so I had to go sit back down in front of everyone.

In the end, it turned out even worse than I could have imagined. (not to be discouraging to anyone else getting ready to do a similar thing In talking (and apologizing) to the pianist afterward, here's what we think happened. As I said, she had modified the timing a bit to fit my arrangement when we practiced, but as soon as the choir and congregation started singing from the hymnal, they kind of took over the timing back to that straight 4/4 time. I'm sure my nervousness made things worse, but the combination of things was (from my perspective) a disaster.

Lessons learned:
1. Don't agree to play a song 3 days before an event if you never played the song before!
2. Don't agree to play if you haven't had ample practice time with the folks you're going to play with.
3. If you choose to ignore the first 2 lessons, at least play at more of an informal gathering instead of a formal church service.
4. Make sure you play last thing so you can slip your way out of the building in a hurry!

I still appreciate all the advice and encouragement of everyone here! Now -- where's that big pile of sand I can bury my head in....


Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

MikeR - Posted - 11/01/2009:  11:43:44

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Hey Dan!

You are the man. The fact that you went for it is an inspiration to me. I would not have had the nerve to try it yet. Reminds me of the quote:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Drive on!

Mike Robbins
Yates Rattlesnake #21

bellflower - Posted - 11/01/2009:  12:12:54

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Hey, you did it!! Hurray! Nobody got hurt and you got great experience.

The other factor that is awfully hard to be able to take into account before you are actually up there playing is that, unlike practice, your hands turn into something like crab claws when all those people are listening. Makes it kinda hard to sound decent.
I know you can sound good, 'cause I heard you at Alan's jam.

I've been playing 3 years as of September, and in front of an audience with a band (me, my husband and another couple) about once a month the last 18 months for various audiences. Just this year have I started to be able to actually play OK sometimes in front of people. Yesterday we played for a farmer's market and, surprise!, I wasn't even nervous.

But just last August when I tried to play at Galax on stage, it was terrifying because playing solo on stage was very different from playing with the group at fundraisers and birthday parties. I was genuinely quite happy that I got just through the piece from beginning to end, never mind that it sounded pretty crummy. Our band played at a small festival after that, and I think it was easier for me because I lived through Galax!

I agree especially with your point #1 about learning a new song. Eventually you can pick up a new song quickly, because you've got enough of a repertoire and enough improvising experience to be able to do it, BUT when you are playing mostly note for note a song learned from tab, make sure it is one you have down ice cold.

Hang in there and do it again. It gets fun!!

Sandy

rvrose - Posted - 11/01/2009:  13:16:10

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Dan,

Don't give up - almost everyone who has played in public has a story like this. I have several. There were many new things you had to deal with - new song, no practice with piano player, congregational singing which are all challenging. I would suggest getting together with a guitar player in the church and practicing a song together until you both know it well. Then offer to play it for a prelude or offertory. Christmas is coming - pick an old Carol and practice up for December. That will build up your confidence. Also take you guitar buddy and go to an assisted living home or nursing home - they love old Bluegrass Gospel and are very forgiving. Besides, times like that are great for your prayer life! Hang in there.

Rick

Shodon - Posted - 11/01/2009:  13:31:34

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Do it again SOON following what you learned from the first experience. You'll grow to like it. Each time will be easier!

"Even though I have a Black Belt in the Martial Arts my banjo always kicks my butt"

Ronnie - Posted - 11/01/2009:  13:37:41

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I sit in once in a while with praise bands at local churches. It is a great experience!

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

minstrelmike - Posted - 11/01/2009:  14:02:19

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You did it man. That's great.

But as you can see, playing with others is completely different than playing by yourself. And frankly, it really is easier for you to learn to pick up their rhythms than it is for them to change. Having a song down cold is probably the hardest thing to change which is one reason for avoiding that sort of stuff if playing with strangers.

In the beginning, I found it far, far easier to learn to improvise when playing songs I didn't know than when playing those I did. The ones I knew, I knew my way. That's also why if you want to play a song at a jam, it's usually better for you to start it than for anyone else to start it because they'll do it different.

When you play at church or for a school gathering, the pianist's first instinct is always right, even if it isn't the way you know how it goes. If you get a chance to practice with the choir, you can establish a different rhythm, but you have to establish the rhythm during rehearsal which means you'll have to start the song on your own the first few times and train people who are used to 4/4 group singing (ez to maintain timing) to do something they aren't used to.

Do it again as soon as possible.

Mike Moxcey
http://moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html

dpete210 - Posted - 11/01/2009:  14:30:44

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Dan, think of it this way. We live and learn....things will only get better. Any sting from the experience will ease and you have a great story to tell about your banjo debut! Fun!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

barbbanjo - Posted - 11/01/2009:  14:53:45

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Well, Dan, now you are '"one of us"! You have a great story to tell for the rest of your life and besides that you learned some really good things and even shared them here with us. Personally, I think you are a real inspiration. Keep playing in front of people and soon you will have an experience that will be as wonderful as this one was not. I would a lot rather go down fighting than just go down in defeat and you gave this your best shot. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID GOOD!

barbbanjo - Posted - 11/01/2009:  15:05:45

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ps - Dan, if you're young enough, you'll probably feel embarrassed and crummy for a few days and know that we've all done the same thing after we've bombed. If you're as old as some of us are, you won't remember the whole thing by tonight!

Prof - Posted - 11/01/2009:  16:58:57

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Thanks for all the kind words, folks! I won't give up, but it might be a while before I try again (especially in this particular way!) The first time I played in church (maybe 6 months ago) I just vamped some chords and played along with a guitar player -- much easier! Barb -- I must be young (although I'm not sure 43 qualifies), 'cause I still feel crummy about it. Maybe I'll forget about it by tomorrow night...

Thanks again, everyone!


Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

walshb - Posted - 11/01/2009:  17:17:29

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Thanks for posting the results, a whole lot of us were pulling for you! I wish it had gone better for you. But as others have said, you gained some important experience. And sometime in the future you'll be laughing when telling the story. I agree with others, that we all have stories like this to tell.
Hope you get another chance soon.

"I need a louder banjer, my hearing aids just quit on me!"

Banjov1 - Posted - 11/01/2009:  19:12:25

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Sorry to hear it was such a tough performance Dan. I hope you can look back on this in a year or two and pull some positives from it.

I'm still proud of you for trying and I wish I had been in your congregation and could have talked to you after the service.

Keep your chin up and keep practicing

Tony

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 11/01/2009:  21:22:02

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Don't feel bad... Even after many years and knowing better I got caught a couple of years ago as a guest picker... The first tune up the singer asked the audience "wanta hear some Jones" and it went down hill from there! We had a Bluegrass bass man and he actually walked off the stage.. moral.. find out exactly what their gonna do!! I played a melody of "Earl" and saved face.. But weeehoo no more!
If its not a Bluegrass Gospel group, their not gonna be there for the banjo...

KL

---

Edited by - Kenneth Logsdon on 11/01/2009 21:23:35

paulmonsef - Posted - 11/02/2009:  12:07:07

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I'm Inspired! But I still dont think i would do a morning service - you are the man. I've been at this since February and on the 15th, during an evening service, I'm doing backup for higher ground.

I decided at first I needed to write out on tab on all my chord changes and rolls. But after our first practice with the vocal team (I can not sing and play) i thought it best to just watch the lyric sheet & listen to the guitar for the chord changes.

besides, we are always harder on ourselves - it wasnt as bad as it seems. I thought my first practice was aweful (meaning I knew I could do better), but everyone else said it sounded great.

Do it again soon!


Thanks, Paul

dlaustin - Posted - 11/02/2009:  14:26:14

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Hey Dan, way to go!

Like Shodon said:
--quote
Do it again SOON following what you learned from the first experience. You'll grow to like it. Each time will be easier!
--endquote

I remember about a year ago I had been playing about 6 months and played a song at church. I fouled up the kick off about 3 times and kept having to start over. Man was I nervous. I finally told the folks something to the effect 'If I don't get it right this time I'll just quit and go sit down". Thankfully I was able to get it going that last time. I was really sweatin it!

I have to remind myself that though it is in church and the music should be done properly and in order, sometimes being human we mess it up a bit here or there. I'm just glad the Psalmist wrote "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" instead of "make a beautiful and perfect tune unto the Lord". We've got some great folks at church too that come up and encouraged me after mess ups. They said they messed up a lot when they started and to just keep pluggin away. I'm glad I did, cause its fun to play for them now.

Glad you learned from it, and keep pluggin away. You'll keep getting better the more you try.



David

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. ..."
--Psalm 150

Prof - Posted - 11/02/2009:  16:52:03

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I emailed the minister this morning to apologize for my mess, and he said he didn't even realize anything went wrong. Could be some truth there, but he may have been trying to make me feel better. I guess the most frustrating thing for me is I know I could have done it so much better, and had actually done it WAY better just 30 minutes prior to the service. They record (video) every service for those who may not have had the chance to get to the service -- I'm thinking of snatching the DVD... just kidding!

Dan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

minstrelmike - Posted - 11/02/2009:  17:04:28

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Brett Favre, wayward quarterback of the NFL, has played every game since 1992.

He has the record for most touchdowns.
He also has the record for most interceptions.

Sometimes you'll nail the performance; sometimes you'll only nail the rehearsal; many times neither. Most of the time, no one notices. Unlike in the NFL where they keep scores and records and stuff like that.

I'd grab the DVD.

Mike Moxcey

Seriously, you may want a copy. Someday. After you retire. For the 3rd or 4th time.

stillearning - Posted - 11/02/2009:  17:40:21

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You did it. Thats the whole idea of playing. If you took a pole of the congregation I am sure most thought it was fine. the preacher thought thoght so and thats all you can ask. I' m sure The Lord thought it was o'kay to. keep picken. Dave.

PICK AND THEY WILL COME

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 11/03/2009:  01:45:06

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Dan

I take my hat off to you. The first thing you got to do now is stop taking the blame for what happened. From the sounds of things there were other factors at play here. So Well Done for giving it your best shot.

Now get on that phone and arrange some practice sessions with the choir and the pianoist. Suggest Jingle Bells it's an easy tune and you will shine through at the Christmas Concert.

Regards Tam

Picking a Fender FB 58 and PROUD to describe myself as a Student of the Murphy Method

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Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 11/03/2009 01:53:36

Prof - Posted - 11/03/2009:  05:46:28

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Thanks, Tam. My son said I should have stopped and just told the congregation to stop singing 'cause they're messing me up! lol!

quote:

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Now get on that phone and arrange some practice sessions with the choir and the pianoist. Suggest Jingle Bells it's an easy tune and you will shine through at the Christmas Concert.

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Actually, I've already agreed to play a little backup for our Christmas cantata -- it has kind of a Celtic /mountain sound and feel to it. I'll just be chording along with a guitar, so it should be little to no pressure this time around.

Dan

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I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall...

lynn1 - Posted - 11/03/2009:  06:24:08

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Way to go Prof!! I've been playing about the same amount of time and admire you for doing this. I am sure the congregation really enjoyed it and didn't hardly notice what you (think you) did. You are your own toughest critic I am sure. But you broke through and did it! Way to go! You have inspired me! Hey, I want to be like you man! And in church! You made a real use of your God given gift, just like He wanted you to. What else is important? Good job!!!

picalot - Posted - 11/03/2009:  08:54:36

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Dont be discouraged! I recently decided to try and play a dobro tune for the first time in church and started playing the melody to a completly different song than we were singing. And it was when I was taking a break and the only other insrument was a guitar. Wanted to crawl in a hole and die. But I survived it and made up for it the next week playing a banjo tune. Keep your head up you will redeem yourself one day!!!!!!

sjyokel - Posted - 11/03/2009:  09:53:13

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quote:

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Originally posted by Prof

...he said he didn't even realize anything went wrong.

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Welcome to the club! There are two important lessons to take away from a first public performance:

1) You haven't been practicing the right things (happens to everybody). Work harder with the metronome (or Band in a Box) and go back to working on the most basic rolls over chord changes. If your brain fails you on stage in the future (and it will) there needs to be something there that your hands will just do without the help of your conscious mind.

2) You are much harder on yourself than anyone else. Your minister was probably right. According to him and probably everyone else in the room who didn't know what your part was "supposed" to sound like, you probably did great. The only really terrible mistake you can make is to just stop playing altogether.

Playing on stage is just a whole different animal. And you really can't prepare for the first time. You just have do it--and keep doing it--learning little lessons each time about how you respond to that kind of pressure.