I've been rehearsing a solo act for about ten months now (and have been recording those rehearsals for close to eight months), and I've discovered some things that are very encouraging.
Every once in a while - usually after I've played a song a couple dozen times - I'll get an idea about a different way to do that song, and just go with it. And sometimes I'm shocked at how well it works. It's like conciousness-streaming the song, and I feel like I'm accomplishing what I've set out to do.
The first couple times this happened I thought, "My God. If I could do this in front of an audience, it'd be like a mass peak experience." And I thought the way to get there was to master the song, then drop all pretension and just let whatever happens happen. I still think that, and those feelings of accomplishment keep reinforcing it.
Another thing that happens, and which I consider noteworthy, is that with some songs the whole arrangement comes in one complete chunk, almost the first time I play it. It's as if in learning a song, the arrangement writes itself. Both Sides Now is one of those songs. I've been doing it since October and haven's changed one thing - just gradually got better at doing it so that I'm nearly able to perform it as imagined initially.
I hate it when people get on these forums and blow their own horn. I can't believe I'm doing it myself. It's just - I've spent the last ten months in a vacuum. I'm that tree in the forest that no one hears. I've told several of my co-workers that I play in the lobby after we close, but not one of them has ever come to see what I'm doing. They don't know I have talent. They just think I'm another good-natured dufuss.
I've never played outside the post office, and don't want to yet, because I want to generate whatever interest I'm able to generate based solely on the performance. I may have to take it to the streets, if things don't start happening soon.
Finally, I wonder whether it's possible to make recordings of the performances and sell those recordings right afterward, so people could have CDs of the show they just saw. Does anyone know if this can be done?
Every once in a while - usually after I've played a song a couple dozen times - I'll get an idea about a different way to do that song, and just go with it. And sometimes I'm shocked at how well it works. It's like conciousness-streaming the song, and I feel like I'm accomplishing what I've set out to do.
The first couple times this happened I thought, "My God. If I could do this in front of an audience, it'd be like a mass peak experience." And I thought the way to get there was to master the song, then drop all pretension and just let whatever happens happen. I still think that, and those feelings of accomplishment keep reinforcing it.
Another thing that happens, and which I consider noteworthy, is that with some songs the whole arrangement comes in one complete chunk, almost the first time I play it. It's as if in learning a song, the arrangement writes itself. Both Sides Now is one of those songs. I've been doing it since October and haven's changed one thing - just gradually got better at doing it so that I'm nearly able to perform it as imagined initially.
I hate it when people get on these forums and blow their own horn. I can't believe I'm doing it myself. It's just - I've spent the last ten months in a vacuum. I'm that tree in the forest that no one hears. I've told several of my co-workers that I play in the lobby after we close, but not one of them has ever come to see what I'm doing. They don't know I have talent. They just think I'm another good-natured dufuss.
I've never played outside the post office, and don't want to yet, because I want to generate whatever interest I'm able to generate based solely on the performance. I may have to take it to the streets, if things don't start happening soon.
Finally, I wonder whether it's possible to make recordings of the performances and sell those recordings right afterward, so people could have CDs of the show they just saw. Does anyone know if this can be done?
..jesus) or opt out for some studio time or Colab on here with someone and put your best stuff down to sell when ya get your first gig at a coffee shop , book store etc.You seem to be on a good confidence roll right now ..You need to go out and hit an some open mics..Expose yourself to different places like those where it will be quiet and the audience will be into what your doing and those where its noisy as hell, ya cant hear the monitors, and no one is payin attn, even though ya know doing well and pourin your heart out.. Gives ya both sides which are the reality...Start readin up on some simple home recording programs and let us hear ya soon
I just have to smile a moment. Ok, I use a ZOOM H4 myself. The band sounds much better live, and thats just not me saying so either.
Our Bassest said on line the other day how pleased he was that we covered each other so well like a "Real Band" at the last gig. 
So I guess it's going to be all right now, In fact it's a gas!
..Nice tune, good voice control/vibrato, enjoyed the James T influenced pickin also...Man that Zoom 2 did a good job for ambience micing.. Both guitar and vocals were smooth...Your a natural..