 sj |
||
|
||
BS: I did it!
|
|
|
Subject: I did it! From: GUEST,mousethief (at the library) Date: 30 Sep 00 - 02:44 PM Well, I gathered up my courage and went to the Acoustic Cafe (just down the street from my house!) on open mic night and played a 3-song set. It's the first time I've played before an audience of mostly strangers in over 15 years. I'm afraid I didn't play anything "traditional" as I don't yet know anything "traditional" well enough. (But I'm working on it!) I played a song by Bruce Cockburn, one by Al Stewart, and one I wrote myself. I had a hard time singing loud enough; the microphone and the monitor kinda threw me. But hopefully I will get used to this in time. Anyway, thanks everybody on Mudcat for helping me get my courage up.
Alex |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 30 Sep 00 - 02:47 PM Congratulations, mousie!! That's the first step- tomorrow the world!!! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: sophocleese Date: 30 Sep 00 - 02:48 PM Hey great stuff mousethief! How did the audience like it? You will get used to the microphone and monitor in time. Give yourself a couple of years and you'll be swearing at the sound system like a pro. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:00 PM When do we get to hear your first CD??? Congratulations. Aye. Dave |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Catrin Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:02 PM Well done Mousethief - bravery comes in many forms and that must have taken courage. Cheers (clink!) Catrin |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Biskit Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:05 PM Mousethief, Now that you've got `speriance you can join us on HearMe, we'd love t`hear ya!Congrats.,-Biskit- |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Morticia Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:05 PM good one MT......maybe we should collect your autograph now before the world gets to know about you :) |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: dwditty Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:19 PM Way to go, mt. Biskit is right. Hearme is the bi Acoustic Cafe in the sky. C'mon by. dw |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Lyrical Lady Date: 30 Sep 00 - 03:31 PM I'm so proud of you ... it just feels so good doesn't it! Cheers...LL |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: CarolC Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:11 PM Good for you, mousethief! Carol |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: catspaw49 Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:16 PM I was kinda' hoping that this had something to do with your sex life.........but this is OK too. Well done MT!!! Spaw |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Little Neophyte Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:27 PM Mazel Tov Alex, that is a real accomplishment. A real major step you should be very proud of. Catspaw I thought you did not like the words 'I did it' when it comes to 'doing it' Bonnie |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: MichaelAnthony Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:41 PM Way to let er rip, Mouse. Keep it up. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Allan C. Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:42 PM Good going! I know how hard it can be to get back on stage after so long. It is almost worse than the very first time ever. Congrats! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Lepus Rex Date: 30 Sep 00 - 04:43 PM Cool, mousethief. Congratulations:) ---Lepus Rex |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Jon Freeman Date: 30 Sep 00 - 05:34 PM Congratulations Mousethief, it can take a lot of courage! Jon |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: flattop Date: 30 Sep 00 - 05:41 PM What were the three songs mousethief? Al Stewart and Bruce Cockburn have lots of songs. I don't know bout you. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: katlaughing Date: 30 Sep 00 - 06:02 PM Goodonya, mt! Congratulations! I third the comment about HearMe, btw! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Sep 00 - 06:43 PM I wrote a song about that a few yers back. when I started singing after a long long time not singing. For years I'd been heavily into singing in clubs and such, and then I dropped out of it - and later I found the idea of singing again terrifying.
I'd go to a club, and I'd sit there knowing that I could be every bit as good as the people performing - but I'd still be unable to make a move, even when they were crying out for a new floor singer, maybe.
So, good on you, mouse. You're back again. It's a great feeling.
Well, I went down to the pub tonight
But when I got up in the pub tonight
But when I came out of the pub tonight
But when I went back to the pub again
And I stood up in the pub tonight,
And when I came out of the pub tonight,
And when I go back to the pub again
|
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Noreen Date: 30 Sep 00 - 07:07 PM Good for you, Gonff! I'll bet you're still glowing from the experience. Hope people took the time to give you some feedback on how you came across, then you'll be even better next time! Noreen |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: okthen Date: 30 Sep 00 - 07:26 PM "see the man with stagefright gettin' up there an' givin it all his might he got caught in the spotlight but when he came to the end he wanna do it all over again" well done, wish i could do that too cheers bill |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: WyoWoman Date: 30 Sep 00 - 08:33 PM Good song, McGrath! And good onya, MT. Having just gone through the same experience a little over a year ago (I think it was that long ago ...I'd have to check the threads..) I absolutely feel your pain, and the sense of satisfaction that comes from going ahead and getting up there. Now just keep up the momentum ... ww |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: hesperis Date: 30 Sep 00 - 08:37 PM You go, mousethief! And put me down as yet another person wanting to hear you on HearMe. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Mbo Date: 30 Sep 00 - 08:59 PM Congrats mousebuddy! Maybe one day I'l follow your example. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: GUEST,Joerg Date: 30 Sep 00 - 09:13 PM MT - once you did it do it again. You won't experience it every time but often you will experience people changing their opinion about you (which obviously wasn't good enough up to then) and you will also experience changing your own opinion about some people (which ... see above) WHILE SINGING. As I did. It helps to be good. But it isn't really necessary, just look at some of those megastars. You should only avoid to give them the impression that you want to pull their legs. From this point of view there is no need for courage, nor is there any reason for stagefright. Joerg |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Bugsy Date: 30 Sep 00 - 09:15 PM GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!! Keep it up!
Cheers
Bugsy |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Crazy Eddie Date: 01 Oct 00 - 08:47 AM A small step for a mousethief, a giant leap for mousethiefkind! Goog on ya! Eddie |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Crazy Eddie Date: 01 Oct 00 - 08:48 AM Goog? Whats a Goog? GOOD on ya, I meant to say! Eddie |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Naemanson Date: 01 Oct 00 - 09:12 AM Wonderful job, Mousethief! Now git yer butt over here to my coffeehouse! I got an opening for a featured performer! I remember how scared I used to get about getting up in front of strangers. Then one day, at a recital with my voice coach, I waited my turn and watched an 11 year old kid sing her heart out. The light dawned. I told myself, "If this is something you want to do there is no need to be frightened. You are not here for the thrill of the fear but to bring the song to the audience." I haven't been frightened since and hopefully never will again. Keep singing, Mousethief, and don't apologize for your choice of songs. What you sing is what you feel. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Mooh Date: 01 Oct 00 - 09:15 AM Mousethief, you've just done what millions would give anything to do! It gets easier. Congratulations! Mooh. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Troll Date: 01 Oct 00 - 09:30 AM NOW you've done it! I just hope you're proud of yourself! Cause ya oughtta be. troll |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: John Hardly Date: 01 Oct 00 - 02:29 PM Hey Mousethief! The praise is well-deserved and you have my admiration (as a guy too chicken to do the same). But what I want to know ('cause it's useful to me :)) What did you do that you won't do next time and what did you do right? John |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: mousethief Date: 02 Oct 00 - 11:20 AM Thanks everybody for the applause. Sniff. You guys are beautiful! The songs were Tokyo by Bruce Cockburn (clicky then search for "Tokyo"), Samuel How You've Changed by Al Stewart (clicky), and Chicago Blues by Alex "Mousethief" Riggle (lyric to follow). What I did wrong was, to not sing directly into the microphone, and to not trust my own voice enough. What I did right, was, my fingers on "Samuel" did the job nearly perfectly (I fingerpicked it, and it has a lot of barre chords (which still bug me after playing the guitar for --um-- 20+ years) and a lot of long jumps). The first song I really squawked on vocally, but by the time I got to the last song I was feeling much more confident (but still not using the mic properly). I won't be able to go back this weekend due to pressing engagements. But soon, I swear! On the sex thing: shoot, I'm a very happily married man. If I was to go and start threads every time I "did it" y'all would never read about anything else.
Chicago Blues
Well I just moved out this month, some people still ain't heard the news
Well my friends are in Olympia, Seattle, Portland, Tacoma too. (instr. break)
Well drop me a letter or a postcard, I hope you do. (repeat instr. break) ©1983 Alex E. Riggle. All Rights Reserved. (I wrote this when I first moved to Chicago for grad school in 1983. I was very lonely. There was no internet then -- I think college kids have it easier in that respect nowadays than I did. The song is very bouncy. I play it in D, and I chord up and down the skinny 3 strings and play the fat 2 (muting the low "E" with my thumb) open (I guess I could tune it down to D -- never thought of that until just now!). The "Instr. break" I play at the 10th, 9th, and 7th frets in a sort of imitation of 12-bar chord progression. I'll have to record it and put it on my website so y'all can hear it.) Thanks again, y'all.
Alex |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: GUEST,Joerg Date: 02 Oct 00 - 09:38 PM MT - I also don't have enough experience with microphones. Simple reason: They never gave me one. The few (=three) occasions they did told me the following which might be not too much: You're all right when you can hear yourself from the speakers ! And that's also ok, because I MUST be able to hear what I'm doing or else I will not be doing it. I can not sing or play "blindly". Any corrections to that simple rule from the professionals? Joerg |
|
Subject: RE: BS: I did it! From: Áine Date: 02 Oct 00 - 09:48 PM Well dang, mousethief, aren't you the brave lil buggah?!? Well done, sir. And a deed worth crowing about to your friends here on the 'Cat. Being a victim of very severe stagefright myself (you know, the 'porcelain bus' kind), I can identify with your situation and bestow exceeding praise upon you for conquering the fear. And since 'Baba' has retired from live concerts, I guess we'll just have to depend on you from now on for our entertainment and edification ;-) -- just kidding, no pressure here (hahaha). Congrats and Cudos to you, Alex. Long may your flag wave -- and we expect to hear all about your next venture into the spotlight! All the best, Áine |