General Music Chat

Lot of wannabes out there, Bob.... When forced into playing with someone more expereienced they freeze up or, at the minimum they show that they're not ready. Keep doing what you're doing.

In checking want adds for original players who wish to get it done I find the following (I'm In GA btw): Southern Rock, Rock, Country, Funk, HipHop and Christian Contemporary (I'm not sure what that is but see it a lot.)

Since I've been considering this issue Bob raised myself here are my conclusions:

Many players truly enjoy playing covers - they like the music, like to perform and like to get paid to do so. Almost always have full time gigs - exceptions play in multiple bands, work music stores and / or give lessons. Not so many exceptions though...

Many many players are over thirty - or whatever age it takes the individual to become mired in children, women and careers. They simply don't have the time. And it takes a ton of time to put an original act together and even then victory is not guaranteed.

I really don't think it's about guts in most cases - just choices.

All that said - I've wondered the same thing some times - and having played in most kind of bands I can say the most fun I've ever had was playing in all original outfits.

Talbot

When looking for musicians, there will always be dry spells, with no one available.
And then the next month they will be crawling out of the woodwork.
I'm just ending a dry spell, myself, and, yeah, it's frustrating.
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But in the mean time I'm practicing and - performing - at open mikes (where I recently meet two very talented folks to work with).
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If you are too impatient to go to open mikes (and hear several inexperienced people for every one experience person) then - that's just it: maybe you are too impatient with people.
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While you are judging others, they are judging you, right back. . . . better think about that, friends . . .
. . . you don't want a reputation for angry frustrated ranting, or people will avoid you.
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But, also, You HAVE to be out there every week, and meeting people face-to-face.
I have 3 people coming over in the next two days. Three sessions, 3 different instruments, each to work one-on one with. Each of them (keyboardist, guitarist/singer, and Djembe player) are quite good. I met two of them at open mikes.
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But - on topic - I prefer working with folks who are creative, and I encourage that in musicians.
If you would risk being a better musician, then you have to start trying something different. And risking success means risking failure: that means making mistakes, but - so what?
S'okay to make a mistake. Just remember it, and the next time that part of the song comes around again, try something different.
it's all good; keep it that way.
Have FUN with it, folks . . .

I usually perform solo, and - heh -when I screw up, sometimes I just play through it, but more often than not, I just laugh and say 'oops!"
But, it's funny - when I screw up and admit it to the audience, I always seem to get even more applause.
See, if you screw up, and look at someone in the audience and say 'oops' I guess it kinda brings them into the act, and maybe it makes the performer a little more human, or something . . . ?
See for that time period - I'll hold the chord a few extra beats, and TALK TO the audience . . . I get them involved, and sometimes I'll even throw in a question, "What dya think? Should I sing that higher next time?" or, say "Hey, I like that; I think I'll do that chorus again!"
So, I'm not performing AT them, I'm just another guy, and I happen to be playing something interesting.
I dunno . . . it works for me, as a solo performer, and even as a duo . . . if the other guy screws up, I don't say anything; I just keep the song going.
But if I screw up I just laugh & have fun with it.

when PLANET JAZZ plays our monthly gig at Brooklyn Pizza....we'll often play something we've never messed with before. someone will call a new tune the others haven't played before, or one of us will actually show a chord progression for an original and give a quick thumb nail sketch.

this is a pretty small intimate setting, so everyone (patrons) there is aware of what's going on, and more often than not that really draws them in....watching to see the process, what happens next, and being a part of something new.

whenever you can "humanize" your performance.....that always seems to draw folks in.