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RE: first flamenco performance
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sig
Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin
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RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)
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I know exactly how you feel. I did my first real Flamenco gig last Nov at an artists reception. The first piece I played was a Farruca which I knew inside and out and it really let me relax and enjoy the rest of the performance. Don't get me wrong, my hands were a bit shaky when I started but I stayed in the moment and things went pretty well. I made some mistakes but most of the people in that room probably didn't know. Listen, the way I see it, you're living the dream, how many people have picked up the guitar, taken some lessons hoping they would get a chance to perform? Lots I'll bet but you and I plus many of the Foro members have actually gotten to perform and in some cases get paid to do what we love!! Wow, it doesn't get better than that!! I remember reading an article on handling stage fright and here's a quote from the article: "In the end, it's all about the music. It’s not about you or me really. As musicians we are the real instruments from which music flows. The instruments we play are merely extensions of our beings. When you play for others, you are a “giver”. When was the last time you ever felt nervous or afraid of doing something nice for someone else? If you hold the door open for a little old lady do you feel nervous or afraid? When you donate money to a charity, do you experience fear or self doubt about that? When you give your time to someone who needs help, do you feel nervous about that? Playing music should be no different. Don’t think of yourself as an Olympic competitor that must perform perfectly to win a gold medal. Don’t think you have disappointed the entire human race if you make a mistake or if the crowd doesn’t like your concert. If you think of your performance as “giving to others”… you won’t feel nervous or afraid, stage fright will melt away. When you perform, you add value to people’s experience when they hear you. Some may like it and some may not, it’s their choice or preference and even if you play perfectly, not everyone will love what you are doing. That comes with the territory. But you will have given of yourself either way. You came to share what you do with the audience. Feel good about that because when you feel good, the chances of making mistakes in a performance diminish. If you don’t get anything else out of this article, at least remember this: The best antidote for stage fright is to change the mindset from “impressing others” to “giving to others”. I thought this was a great article and made lots of sense... Good luck and i'm sure you'll do fine! Sig--
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Date Feb. 16 2010 12:36:48
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)
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quote:
Umm, mainly because I canot play some stuff i prepared for concert because of cold hands and sweat.. You feel that you didnot express yourself propertly. Also mic was **** and so on and when somebody come to you and said some nice things like "it was very good and blablabla" it makes even worst.. i watched this documentary about evelyn glennie last night. she said something like, "as an artist, it's very difficult. there's a level or expectation that you strive for. after a performance, you may feel like you didn't reach that standard and people come up to you and ask for your autograph and picture and it's very hard." i get compliments here and there but i can never take it seriously because i know how much more there is for me to reach. so i dont take the compliments seriously because i never want to feel satisfied. but yet at the same time, i like the encouragement. so it's a very hard balance, imo. i just hope i can play well enough to satisfy myself. either that or that i can make it to cocaine and sex party after. quote:
Also, most people know that artists are rare, so it comes naturally to encourage every artist, even if they're sloppy here and there, especially on a first performance. oooh, i would hate dishonesty even if it's nice! but i guess that would be better than ignorant criticism, like the kind you see on youtube. quote:
try to make it look imposing what do you mean?
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Date Feb. 24 2010 9:16:38
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)
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if i could sum up last night's gig with one picture, it'd be this one! it was a great experience and i feel so blessed. the audience was really supportive and enthusiastic. when i first started playing, my fingers were a little stiff and i was pretty nervous. but i just closed my eyes and tried to get into it. soon after, the whole room went dead silent. when i noticed this, i thought to myself, "oh....****...i'm being watched" but i remembered all the advice i got here and pushed on. when i stopped and they applauded, i didn't know what to do. i wasn't used to it, it felt uncomfortable and i wanted to just walk out. i just sat there, smiled and waved. during the break between the two sets, i had one beer and got DRUNK 10 minutes before i was supposed to go on!. off of one beer! i know, pathetic! but i sobered up as fast as i could and played better, i think. in fact, i think the second set was much better in general. everyone was warmed up, had something to eat and drink, and was more confident. so next time, i think i'll have a beer half an hour ahead of time. it was a really weird sensation. i don't think anybody was thinking about what they were doing, it felt like it was just happening and we were just witnesses. i watched my fingers just move by themselves. though it wasn't perfect, it felt so effortless. i danced my silly little patada at the end of each set but during the second set, the audience was cheering, "otra! otra! otra!" before i went on which felt really cool. i didn't notice anyone throwing up their food after i danced, so i guess that's good. thank you to everyone who gave me advice and support! this is the best forum ever and i owe a lot of my flamenco progress to you guys!
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Date Mar. 1 2010 15:14:28
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at_leo_87
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
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RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)
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thanks chris! i didn't get any videos or pictures but i'm sure other people did and when it eventually reaches me, i'll be sure to post it up. we have a video of us practice the fin the fiesta at the studio but i don't know how the girls would feel i put that online. arash, thanks man! unfortunately, my loins are not in pain. but i have another show next sunday... lol. pgh, well, i'm a serious light weight when it comes to drinking. i call it being economical. though the first crowd was better, we carried the confidence over to the second set. i even made a bet with one of the dancers about performing perfect. and it worked! so maybe the alcohol had no influence at all, and it was just the confidence, like you said.
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Date Mar. 1 2010 17:43:45
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