PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[trotsky]

Well,
I have a gig this weekend
This will be the first time that I have performed this music in quite a long time. Years in fact.
I am not exactly shy but I find myself a wee bit nervous for this one. I love this music but I also know that it is not for everybody and I am a little bit anxious that it will not be well received.
I am playing 2 day charity fund raising event which I would actually enjoy attending even if I wasn't getting paid to play it. The money raised goes towards kids with disabilities and I am proud to be part of it in any capacity. There will be wine tasting and microbrew people and food samples from local restaurants and chefs and general stuffed-shirtedness.
The person putting on the show contacted me and said they wanted some quiet background jazz for atmosphere.
I have been playing with another guitarplayer who is very talented for quite some time now and we are going to go in and play duets.
When we get together it generally sounds pretty good...heavily slanted in his favour... ..but sometimes peoples idea of what jazz is can be pretty strange ....
Heres hoping they don't throw tomatos!
Wish me luck?
Gene

[JakeJew]

Good luck! I get terrible "stage fright," at least when playing jazz, partly for the reasons you describe.
_________________
"Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure that it is the antithesis of self-consciousness." - Aaron Copland

[planetguy]

i'd recommend you don't don't spend too much time worrying about other's perception...no, i'm not saying ignore your audience, but instead concentrate more on playing for yourself and your bandmate.

if you're enjoying yourselves others will likely pick up on it.

and if they don't, that's ok too....you're never gonna please everyone...no matter what style of music you're playin.

have a great gig.
_________________
just groove baby!

[M]

Good for you, Trotsky! Have a great gig. Guitar duets can be beautiful.

I'm thinking of a Mick Goodrich / Pat Metheny duet I caught in a tiny Cambridge joint in the mid-'70s. One of the most beautiful jazz guitar evenings of my life. I still recall being there ... gulp! ... 35 years later.

[trotsky]

Hey thx guys ,...that is very kind of you.
It is kind of a strange venue as well.
The event is being held at the local arena. Two archtop nerds trying to play at the local arena!
Surreal!
I love duets too...especially with this young guy I am playing with. He really pushes me and I dig that because I am naturally a lazy/ conservative player.
I have been watching duet performances on Youtube and ran across this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXXe2ukYQlY
I kind of wish I hadn't seen it ...If you get what I mean!
WOW.

[Jens]

Sounds like you'll fit in fine with a guitar duo. I hope that the people are not too loud.
Make sure to enjoy the gig it is always a rush to perform.

Jens
_________________
http://www.jenslarsen.nl

[Wildfield]

Gene,

I can relate. I think most here can.

The beauty of being booked as "background music" (in my opinion) is that usually no one pays close attention to every note, like they might in a concert or club situation. I find the only thing that grabs/demands attention is playing with they highest degree of virtuosity or a stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb sour note. (Given the two, I am only capable of the latter, by the way.) Anything inbetween goes un-noticed by most. That's my experience anyways. And even sour notes go un-noticed most of the time, unless your hitting a lot of them.

I have played in duos, trios and quartets at weddings, art & wine festivals, etc. The more the guests drink (or taste in your case) the better we sound.

Hope you will have a successful gig and hope you are able to relax and enjoy every minute.

Darryl

[PaulD]

Gene,

The way you play, no need to worry. I am quite sure you will have an appreciative audience. Have fun!!

Paul

[Jazzy]

[trotsky]

Fine gentleman the lot o' ya!
Thx for the kind words. I don't get a chance to really play much any more....(ironic ... I can hear them calling "Daddy, where are you?" in the background )....so I am really trying to savour my musical get togethers.
This young kid I am playing with is a great pleasure so any excuse to get together with him and take a run at some tunes is worthwhile in my book whether there is an audience or not.
I love being background music BTW...for all the reasons mentioned.
Unless it sucks really bad I will try and record some footage and post it.
On a side note I used this gig as an excuse to get my 17 inch archtop up and running again!
It is set up sweet with a change to roundwounds.
Quite a departure for me but I am diggin it.
That guitar into a vox time machine (very very subtle) into a Boss Fender 63 reverb pedal into my Vox Night Train.
not exactly a traditional set up but really nice to my ear.
Anyway fingers crossed about the bad notes but I guess we'll just go for it... Philistines be damned!
Who knows ...they just might dig it.

[JakeJew]

Isn't jazz all about odd, sour notes?
_________________
"Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure that it is the antithesis of self-consciousness." - Aaron Copland

[trotsky]

Ya it sure is in my book Jake!
Gene

[PaulD]

Here you go Gene...after taking one of these, everything you play will sound just like Ed Bickert




I just don't know how you're going to get the audience to take them!!

Paul

[sunflower]

Where can I buy these pills please ?

I'm in the UK

[trotsky]

Paul...I just got off shift and you gave me a much needed smile!!!
I think I will take the whole bottle!
LOL