BrianBanjos - Posted - 11/01/2009:  04:47:13

I formed a duo with a good friend earlier this year and a couple of weeks ago we did our first live performance at a private party in front of about 70 people. In two weeks we have an actual gig at a woodcrafters show. I'm not entirely a newbie at this sort of thing..I've done a handful of open mics, occasionally played at jams, and do a lot of public speaking. But it is exciting to to have people show up to hear music and it's up to you to provide it. We perform bluegrass, some old country which we kind of sort of bluegrassify, and some country blues as well. It's been a bit of a challenge for me arranging songs on the banjo in the key of c or d without retuning. It's just the two of us so we each have to be more active with our parts than we might otherwise be in a larger group context and sensitive to when you should be up or down the fretboard. All this while not overpowering or taking away from the vocals. It's really forced me to get better and THINK.

Some things I've learned or need to learn: For some reason singing with the banjo seems harder than singing with the guitar. On the songs I sing I play guitar and my partner plays mandoline or guitar. I'm working on working up some the simpler "standards" for vocals with the banjo.

Even with just the two of us, sometimes the best backup is no or minimal backup. Listen to Earl, there are whole passages where he sometimes plays nothing except the tag at the end of a verse before going back to vamping for a bit. We do Lost Highway and it was the first song I learned where the light went on that said..oh yea..less is more here.

People love live music, even when played by moderately talented and unknown local "muscians".

I've also found that I really like being on stage. I discovered that a long while ago while doing open mics and I'd not having done one for a while, I really wanted to get back into some public performance.

Once and a while the subject of performing live and all the anxiety that it intales comes up on the forum. If I can do it, ANYONE can. If you are considering taking the leap from the living room and playing for your cats and dogs to a larger forum where there is the possibility of actual applause..do it! It'll make you a better player and it really is a lot of fun.

Happy Pickin'
Brian Daniels
Deering Goodtime II
Deering Deluxe
No-Name Asian Rat from dear old Dad
Seagull Mini Jumbo vintage burst cedar and cherry
Tacoma DR-28 Herringbone
Fender Standard Telecaster

banjer5 - Posted - 11/01/2009:  06:43:12

Funnnnn See!

Fast Freddy the engineer says: Throttle in RUN 8 and highball, then don't look back, something might be gainin' on ya. 73,s de K5BGZ

mike gregory - Posted - 11/01/2009:  07:10:04

As the fellow said, when asked what was in his bag of grits:
"Corn granulations!"

As for re-tuning, that's why Al Capo invented the Capone, and why Lionel Trane invented model railroad spikes.

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 11/01/2009:  09:08:39

What??? You've been playing dead???

(Sorry, Just thought I'd beat Mike on this one)

KL

1four5 - Posted - 11/01/2009:  10:26:34

Congratulations Brain!
It's one of the most positive addictions there is!

Dean

blugrssmom - Posted - 11/02/2009:  22:03:23

Congratulations Brain!
Did you mean Brian? I laughed at the typo here. Sounds like you're having lot's of fun.

Raynae Redman.

A banjo can get you through times with no money, but money can't get you through times with no banjo. John Hartford

John Allison - Posted - 11/03/2009:  06:19:26

Way to go Brian, this is what it is all about ..... having fun. I love to play in front of others. Still get nervous but get over it quickly, as a rule. Nothing more pleasing to me than seeing others getting enjoyment from what I love to do.

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

mrbook - Posted - 11/03/2009:  12:43:45

I enjoy playing in front of people more than just about any other type of playing. No matter how much you enjoy playing for yourself, it's nice to see if you can get others to like your music, too. Good luck.

Bill