Posted by Brentk5s on Thursday, March 12, 2009
Well I've done it. I've played "out." Two days and two "shows."
On Tuesday, it was Purim, and the guys I've been practicing with performed at my shul (i.e. synogogue, temple, jewish house of worship). We played acoustic Jewish music and I think we were well recived. Since we were playing acoustic music unamplified in a large crowded room, I'm not sure how much of what we were playing people could actually hear, but they seemed to enjoy it. I know the vocals were tough to pick out. My goal is to learn to play and sing at the same time.
For my part, it wasn't perfect, but I don't think anyone knew that. This was really special for me because this was the first time I've played anything in front of people since clarinet in junior high, and the banjo parts were my own arrangments. I picked out as much of the melodies as I could. NO TAB! Admittadly it wasn't complicated, but it was mine and most of it was in "odd" keys: E minor, A minor, etc. Also my family came including my Dad. Which is very nice because he is resistant to coming to anything "Jewish."
I was also part of the Folk School student showcase last night. This was an extremely fun event. The banjo parts were more complicated and my playing was ok, I guess. Unfortunately we were playing two very similiar songs. Old Kentucky Whiskey and Liza Jane, both in A. Both songs start on the first string at the fifth fret. I had a hard time starting Liza Jane after Old Kentucky Whiskey. The class was halfway through the A part of Liza Jane before I could join in. Then on one time through I switched to the A part after only once through the B - oh well, better next time.
On the whole both experiencew were terriffic! I had a great time at both shows and I'm encouraged to try and do it again. I think everyone in my "band" wants to keep it up and work toward another show, and I'm in for another 8 weeks at the Folk School, before the end of that 8 weeks my new Buckeye should be here!
1 comment on “FIrst two performances”
gkuchan Says:
Thursday, March 12, 2009 @12:32:40 PM
Congrats! Keep up the good work! Nothing more fun than watching someone love what they're doing.
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