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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
 Posted - 02/19/2013 : 04:49:17 AM
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Within the last few weeks I played for old band mates at open mics they hosted (two different places), in Wisconsin. First off, taverns and bars are loud with people talking and bottles clanking etc and maybe not suitable for solo slack key or Hawaiian guitar music.
I wanted everyone to hear music by Hawaiian musicians but I had trouble getting loud enough (feedback issues) for all the patrons to hear so I have a few things to learn about beefing things up so I can fix that...I will try again.
What really bothers me though is my band mates heard me play but had practically nothing to say about it when I was done except the obligatory one time comment "sounded great". Also, there was no mention on Facebook that I took the time to drive out of town to play for them. It's like everyone went elite on me or something. I played Goin' Country, Kamalani O'Keaukaha, and Hula Medley, all Ozzie, and I played them well. Some would consider those pieces as display of competent playing ability but my old band mates did not seem to notice. That hurt my feelings I guess. I could give them lessons for crying out loud.
Ok, that's it for my whining. I can be as petty as anyone.
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Bob |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2013 : 07:54:14 AM
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Play anything but utterly familiar material--preferably loud, up-tempo utterly familiar material--in a bar and you're going to be roundly ignored. Every musician I know says that. (And even a coffee house can be less than optimal--those grinders and steamers are never in tune.) Pat Donohue once told me that he considers such gigs to be paid rehearsals.
As for your bandmates, who knows. Was it a rock band? Might be just a case of sensibility mismatch.
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2013 : 08:54:58 AM
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Yes Russel, one was top 40 band and one does trios and a solo gig--but he also sings and all familiar tunes. I wonder, if I was able to play loud if it would make any diff? Going to try a tavern one more time but then I may be done.
Concerning coffee houses...I did receive an enthusiastic reception at a coffee house a month ago (playing the same three songs) both from the audience and the host, whom was a very good guitar player. I will focus on that type of venue in the future.
However, you are right about the coffee grinders. I was hit with one or two during my three songs but thankfully they were quiet for most of it.
the most suitable places I stopped for a while because of performance anxiety. That would be church services and any where that the audience is quiet and paying attention. But, that is what I had to get away from for a while...it can be very intense.
Thanks for the input. |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 02/19/2013 08:56:39 AM |
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kihoalukid
Lokahi
USA
289 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2013 : 08:59:42 AM
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| Need to learn a slack key version of Freebird for gigs like that :-) |
Lee |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2013 : 5:07:10 PM
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Hey, Bob. I can somewhat sympathize. Some good things to remember about audiences: No one is on the same page. Most will get only an inkling of what is going on, their minds are usually elsewhere (the only 2 things that really get humans' attention is blood and sex, just look at "pop" entertainment). For any music, a certain amount of education is called for so that the listeners can respond to the musical communication (most are ignorant, through no fault of their own, we all have vast areas of ignorance).
My Dad, after years of playing professionally, told me that the audience, for the most part, doesn't get it. Music, at its very best, is played with and for friends.
Most in the audience are satisfied with pleasant noise and a good effort. Performing is overrated in our spectator culture. Jamming and sharing is vastly underrated. That and $4.50 will buy you a latte at a coffee house. |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2013 : 5:16:49 PM
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| You gotta remember that the main purpose of a band in a bar is to sell liquid refreshment. Beer sales are what pays the band. It doesn't have much to do with art. I played full time on 3 occasions, twice on steel and keyboards and once on bass. I've also played in concert venues, where people have come to listen to my group. It's VERY different from a bar venue. My country band, Silverado, played month long gigs in bars and "animal lodges" [elks, eagles and moose]. We picked songs out of the top 40 that we could stand to play and songs we liked by artists who had hits. Of course, we had to play "Elvira" ;( and other dippy crap, too. It was really enjoyable for me. But, ya know, slack key ain't exactly bar music. My advice -stick with concert venues; house concert, folklore society venues, an li' dat. |
keaka |
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sirduke58
`Olu`olu
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2013 : 07:03:03 AM
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Hey Bob
I say milk it for what it's worth. If you're getting compensated, do as Russell suggested "Think of it as a paid rehearsal" If you're doing it as a "freebie" then use it as an "acclimation exercise" to rid yourself of your performance anxiety.
Here's a story that might ease your disgust with the audience & former bandmates. A couple of years ago Ozzie invited my friend Jay & I to sit in with him at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a new Native Hawaiian bookstore opening. It was supposed to be background music for a bunch of "Uppity wine & cheese" types. It was a 2 hour gig. Ozzie was gonna do an hour solo then we were to sit in with him for the second hour.
Brah, Ozzie was awesome. He doesn't do very many public performances (by choice)so it's a very special occasion when he does. He played all his instrumentals flawlessly. Stuff that would give you chicken skin from head to toe..............Only Jay & I applauded!!! I couldn't believe it. I was flabbergasted. I wanted to grab everyone by the shirt collar, drag their butt closer to Oz & say "Idiots, listen to this gifted guitarist" Come on now, over a hundred people & only 5 or so giving the obligatory applause? Soooooo unacceptable & wrong.
Okay now, Jay & I jumped in with Oz. The objective was for me to get some playing time before an audience to help with my performance anxiety. I figure it was a sh*t crowd so I'd make the best of it. I played & sang bunch of songs & Jay sang a few. To my utter shock almost everyone cheered & applauded!!! Big warm smiles from a crowd that was so stoic when Ozzie was playing solo just minutes ago. Truthfully, we sucked in comparison to Ozzie playing solo. They couldn't relate to the privilege of hearing some of the best ki ho'alu out there. But they could identify with me & Jay singing & butchering all those Hawaiian songs. it was just their preference. So sad that people don't know any better.
Keep plugging away at the ki ho'alu. If you touch one person from a hundred then you did good. You can't twist their arms to give a good listen. Like Wanda told me once when I mentioned that I don't want to play Waikiki because it required playing Hapa-Haole music which I despise. She said "You'll also get to play your type of traditional Hawaiian music but more importantly on many occasions you will be the introduction to Hawaiian music for most tourist. You might be playing the very first Hawaiian song or slack key that they ever heard" So keep promoting the ki ho'alu my friend because you're one of the best I've heard.....Not blowing smoke either. |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2013 : 11:16:46 AM
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I needed all of those words of wisdom guys. Thanks everyone.
I got it figured out again though. Playing for old band mates is kind of like going to a class re-union. You think you can impress your old friends and if it does'nt happen, you could feel defeated. So, most of the problem was from me wanting to impress. I wandered away from humility.
Bruddah Duke, what can I say man, you are the best. That story brought it into focus.
Mahalo |
Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 02/20/2013 11:18:44 AM |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2013 : 12:46:29 PM
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Bob, think on the bright side. If you had played those tunes and really stunk it up, their response would have been the same.
I've been there. A quick anecdote. I was in a restaurant and playing what I consider John Keawe's signature song, "ManaOlana". After finishing, a couple of women came up, put some cash in the tip jar and remarked,"We love that tune and we love Hapa". I took it as a compliment to both me and John. |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2168 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2013 : 2:52:46 PM
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I've done a lot of paid practices. I told Hans that we educate the public one polka at a time.
Tradition means something to those acquainted with it. For most folks, their sense of tradition has been marketed out of them.
We do what we can. You can't raise a group to consciousness. |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2013 : 08:22:29 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by chunky monkey
Bob, think on the bright side. If you had played those tunes and really stunk it up, their response would have been the same.
I've been there. A quick anecdote. I was in a restaurant and playing what I consider John Keawe's signature song, "ManaOlana". After finishing, a couple of women came up, put some cash in the tip jar and remarked,"We love that tune and we love Hapa". I took it as a compliment to both me and John.
Or was it "Mama's Music Box"??  |
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Taverns & Rant
