So, having been going to sessions in Boston, where a lack of participants was never a concern, I'd gotten rather used to be able to disappear in the corwd as it were and have confidence that nobody could hear any mistakes I was making.
This past week I went to a session at a Tel Aviv bar (Molly Bloom's) where I was one of six musicians. It was fantastic, everyone was very welcoming, warm and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable despite being a total rookie. I was even asked if I wanted to start a tune I was familiar with, as tune after tune was one I was iether unfamiliar with or unable to play up to speed...so I started a tune I know pretty well I've been playing it for over a year and...disaster. I didn't even recognize the terrible sounds I was making as music. Beginner nerves I guess, and now I've got a good sense of what I want to practice...it can only go uphill from there, right?
I have a hard time playing in front of people myself, and will mess up a tune that I could play in my sleep when I think someone is listening to me. But once I've been playing for a bit and I relax, my playing gets much better, as long as I forget that people can hear me.
Hey matan, it DOES get better, rest assured. I know what you mean - I "grew up", musically speaking, playing with an uilleann piper who has a fairly loud set. I got real used to "hiding" when I was first starting out.
The only way to get over it is to keep working on it, and learn to relax. Rest assured that everyone in that session has been in that predicament before. When you get more comfortable with the other players as people, you will get more comfortable playing in front of them
I think it's interesting how much nervousness can affect your playing. Half of it is mental, and half of it is tensing up. I was at a festival recently, sitting in a banjo class, when the teacher asked everyone to play a tune on their own. Every single student froze up a bit, just from the pressure of playing in front of a bunch of other banjo players (including a rather famous one...), who are all staring at you and checking out your playing. Just the pressure alone is enough to send the playing down the tubes...
And after class, I had a conversation with the teacher about that. And I asked him when the last time he was nervous with an instrument in his hands, since he's been playing for about 40 years. His response was "oh, I get nervous all the time!" LOL.
I think the key is that you learn to relax and not let the nervousness affect you. So yes, it is an uphill climb. But the slope isn't so steep that it can't be conquered.
It will get better. I think these humbling experiences do make you more aware of your practice routine. I went through a similar experience. But I've also had experiences now when I get home and can't go to sleep because I'm still wired.
Matan - I still get jittery the first couple of sets I try to start. I don't know what it is about this music - I used to sing and play in rock bands all the time in front of lots a people with no problem. But even now after 10 years of sessions under my belt, my hands still shake during the first couple of tunes. Without sounding too much like some sort of mystical-zen-jedi philospher, I have just come to realize a few butterflies are good energy that I just need to channel by relaxing. Also - nobody is more critical than you, yourself - everyone gacks up a tune now and again, but as the wise Reverend suggests, it will only discourage you if you let it.
Absolutely does get better. The first few times I tried to start a tune in a session, I was in a blind panic.
And don't be shy about asking for help if you get stuck, or off track. Saying "Ack! Help!" in the middle of a tune will usually get some sympathetic chuckles, and then some musical cues to get you back on track.
It gets better, but only for a very select few. You may not be one of them. You might be one of the many that spiral down into fiddle hell, burning with bad tunes for eternity. People will point and laugh. Some will go home making fun of you for years. You will never amount to anything! HA! You are a useless bag of...., well, ok, it gets better. Just takes some time is all. Took me about 16 years. I still get the jitters before playing. A couple of pints turn me around.
Hm. Go easy on the beer, actually, I'd say, until your confidence level is a bit higher (I'm speaking as an inveterate session boozer, not as a non-drinking zealot). A half or a pint maybe before you're exposed. When you get more confidence you can up that to at least six pints and you'll just know that you're getting better and better all evening the more you drink. And, what's more, that knowledge will be exclusive to you!
It get's better, right?
It get's better, right?
So, having been going to sessions in Boston, where a lack of participants was never a concern, I'd gotten rather used to be able to disappear in the corwd as it were and have confidence that nobody could hear any mistakes I was making.
This past week I went to a session at a Tel Aviv bar (Molly Bloom's) where I was one of six musicians. It was fantastic, everyone was very welcoming, warm and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable despite being a total rookie. I was even asked if I wanted to start a tune I was familiar with, as tune after tune was one I was iether unfamiliar with or unable to play up to speed...so I started a tune I know pretty well I've been playing it for over a year and...disaster. I didn't even recognize the terrible sounds I was making as music. Beginner nerves I guess, and now I've got a good sense of what I want to practice...it can only go uphill from there, right?
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: It get's better, right?
I have a hard time playing in front of people myself, and will mess up a tune that I could play in my sleep when I think someone is listening to me. But once I've been playing for a bit and I relax, my playing gets much better, as long as I forget that people can hear me.
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by Marklar
Re: It get's better, right?
wait, they heard it to? sh*te.
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: It get's better, right?
Hey matan, it DOES get better, rest assured. I know what you mean - I "grew up", musically speaking, playing with an uilleann piper who has a fairly loud set. I got real used to "hiding" when I was first starting out.
The only way to get over it is to keep working on it, and learn to relax. Rest assured that everyone in that session has been in that predicament before. When you get more comfortable with the other players as people, you will get more comfortable playing in front of them
I think it's interesting how much nervousness can affect your playing. Half of it is mental, and half of it is tensing up. I was at a festival recently, sitting in a banjo class, when the teacher asked everyone to play a tune on their own. Every single student froze up a bit, just from the pressure of playing in front of a bunch of other banjo players (including a rather famous one...), who are all staring at you and checking out your playing. Just the pressure alone is enough to send the playing down the tubes...
And after class, I had a conversation with the teacher about that. And I asked him when the last time he was nervous with an instrument in his hands, since he's been playing for about 40 years. His response was "oh, I get nervous all the time!" LOL.
I think the key is that you learn to relax and not let the nervousness affect you. So yes, it is an uphill climb. But the slope isn't so steep that it can't be conquered.
Pete
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by Reverend
Re: It get's better, right?
matan_fiddler,
It will get better. I think these humbling experiences do make you more aware of your practice routine. I went through a similar experience. But I've also had experiences now when I get home and can't go to sleep because I'm still wired.
Good luck!
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by nofrets
Re: It get's better, right?
Matan - I still get jittery the first couple of sets I try to start. I don't know what it is about this music - I used to sing and play in rock bands all the time in front of lots a people with no problem. But even now after 10 years of sessions under my belt, my hands still shake during the first couple of tunes. Without sounding too much like some sort of mystical-zen-jedi philospher, I have just come to realize a few butterflies are good energy that I just need to channel by relaxing. Also - nobody is more critical than you, yourself - everyone gacks up a tune now and again, but as the wise Reverend suggests, it will only discourage you if you let it.
Good Luck!
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: It get's better, right?
Absolutely does get better. The first few times I tried to start a tune in a session, I was in a blind panic.
And don't be shy about asking for help if you get stuck, or off track. Saying "Ack! Help!" in the middle of a tune will usually get some sympathetic chuckles, and then some musical cues to get you back on track.
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by mickray
Re: It get's better, right?
of course!!! everyone gets better with practice. i did.
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by Kathryn123
Re: It get's better, right?
You'll be all right, mate.
# Posted on September 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: It get's better, right?
It gets better, but only for a very select few. You may not be one of them. You might be one of the many that spiral down into fiddle hell, burning with bad tunes for eternity. People will point and laugh. Some will go home making fun of you for years. You will never amount to anything! HA! You are a useless bag of...., well, ok, it gets better. Just takes some time is all. Took me about 16 years. I still get the jitters before playing. A couple of pints turn me around.
# Posted on October 1st 2007 by t4kne
Re: It get's better, right?
Hm. Go easy on the beer, actually, I'd say, until your confidence level is a bit higher (I'm speaking as an inveterate session boozer, not as a non-drinking zealot). A half or a pint maybe before you're exposed. When you get more confidence you can up that to at least six pints and you'll just know that you're getting better and better all evening the more you drink. And, what's more, that knowledge will be exclusive to you!
# Posted on October 1st 2007 by Steve Shaw