RE: first flamenco performance

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: << < 1 [2] 3 > >>

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to veet)

quote:

yeah, definitely avoid alcohol before the performance

....why

...its a personality enhancer

i like to have 2 ...beers or glasses of wine before

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2010 18:52:26

ConradP

Posts: 109
Joined: Feb. 1 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

Anthony. You are going to do great man. You are a talented guitarist and I really like what Jason said that you should realize that this is not your last performance.

All the best man. I also agree no drugs or beer necessary.

In 2008 I played almost 300 gigs in a generally flamenco agnostic country and after some time the stage fright just left.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2010 22:54:31

Stu

Posts: 2543
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

quote:

i'm expected to dance right after we take a bow

Sheesh!! I better not be made to dance!! i hadnt thought of that....

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 3:21:56

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

Sounds funny but when i eat alot before the performance, i have no stage fright anymore. The worst part was always to get the technical equipment setup together with the technics guy (one time i/we had to do this alone!) . It makes you feel insecure when that takes too much time/ doesnt work. Only one time i crossed a guy who knew what he did and that gig went very well.

_____________________________

Фламенко

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 3:39:13

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to XXX)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Deniz

Sounds funny but when i eat alot before the performance, i have no stage fright anymore.

hmm, if i eat a lot, my brain doesn't work so good anymore, and my body too.
i just wanne relax infront of TV or something.
thats why i also don't each much during the day, but after work, i eat alot

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 6:59:06

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

@conrad, thanks! wow, 300 gigs! that's incredible! that's like performing almost every day!

@stu, yeah those dancers are cruel and vicious. they'll do things like that. you better watch out.

@deniz, if i eat too much, i get very sleeeepy. then i won't want to do anything but be a gluttonous sloth. luckily, one of the dancers is the guitarist that performs there regularly. it's a small intimate place so nothing too complicated equipment wise, just clip on mic with a crate limo amp. the only problem is trying to squeeze everyone and everything into a small place.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 7:09:01

ConradP

Posts: 109
Joined: Feb. 1 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

Oooh ye gods.....correction! I'm sorry I meant 300 gigs in total. That was between 2005 and 2009 so that is 4 years. Sorry about that.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 7:18:09

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to ConradP)

Thats still 75 per year which is huge. You mean flamenco gigs or what kind of?
@Arash,leo: lol it works with me, slows and calms me down. But everybody is different of course.

_____________________________

Фламенко

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 7:23:03

Graham_B

Posts: 283
Joined: Jul. 10 2007
From: Leigh, Lancashire, UK

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

Relax and enjoy Anthony

I really look forward to reading how it went

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 8:04:03

ConradP

Posts: 109
Joined: Feb. 1 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to XXX)

No that was an acoustic duet that I was in. We mainly played jazz influenced pieces and I was starting to touch on fakemenco. There were 2 such acts in the country at that stage and we were the less known one.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 8:18:10

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

quote:

@mrmagenta, you have a show coming up as well? i was thinking about starting off with something libre so i can get a feel for things first.

Sounds like a good idea. It will also set the audience in a mood and give them a chance to clear their minds from the daily clutter etc.

I was going to play at a gig with a few other acts at the end of this month but it was changed to sometime in july instead. In the process it got scaled up and now it's going to be on a big outdoor stage..

yikes! I'll have to toughen myself by playing smaller events this spring.

I think every outcome is good, even if you mess up a lot, as long as you keep doing it.. it's practicing the nerves, just like practicing guitar technique it might take some work and patience. I want to reach 300 gigs too :-)

Anyway, I'm cheering for you Anthony!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 8:28:52

sig

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

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--

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 16 2010 12:36:48

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

@graham, thank you!

@magenta, at least now you'll have more time to practice and it looks like it motivated you to find smaller gigs. i'd like to join the 300 club as well

@sig, that's a terrific perspective! i feel very blessed for the opportunities that have been given to me lately. i remember where i was just a year ago, in my underwear practicing an out of compas aaron gilmartin tangos.

that's an amazing excerpt, sig. thank you so much for finding that. i feel i should write "give to others" somewhere down on my hand as a reminder.

on a sidenote, the nail bed on m finger is receding from too much golpes with a short nail. does anybody have a cure for this? it's painful.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 17 2010 7:56:59

ConradP

Posts: 109
Joined: Feb. 1 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

Guys that figure has been mentioned so many times now that I feel I must tell you that more than 90% of that were in small restaurants.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 17 2010 8:32:27

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to ConradP)

quote:

Guys that figure has been mentioned so many times now that I feel I must tell you that more than 90% of that were in small restaurants.

that doesn't make it any less awesome. that's something i want to work towards. a regular gig at restaurants.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 17 2010 8:54:32

hobersmith

Posts: 13
Joined: Feb. 21 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

I'll tell you a little story about my first gig in front of an audience.

I was about 15 at the time and I only knew a few simple songs. Anyway I started by playing Asturias from Albeniz and I did like 50% of it right. Also after the introductory part they actually thought the song was over until I started again... I was really afraid and shaking and sweating all over the place. The guitar got slimy and chords were that much harder. Still after I was done they all applauded and told me I played very nice (granted I was a kid but still)

So now, years later, this is my advice for you. It may help if you have some sort of a ritual before you start your songs (Ill place an example at the end so it doesn't look messy), don't mind if you make mistakes but instead remember that they don't understand what you're playing anyway; and also they don't really care if you go wrong, they're there to have fun. And remember, you're there to have fun as well.

Here's a sample ritual before each song: adjust your shirt, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Position your hands on the guitar and wait for 10 seconds for everyone to be silent and for you to calm yourself. If you're nervous deep breaths and the thought that they don't understand what you're playing anyway will relax you.

_____________________________

my flamenco site

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 22 2010 10:21:15

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

thank you for sharing your story, hober.

i sort of have a ritual before i play something, now that i think about it. i look at the heel of the guitar and breath in while listening to the palmas.

i've been following the advice given here and it helped a lot! 5 more days!

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2010 8:53:31

michall

Posts: 77
Joined: Aug. 3 2007
From: Prague

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

This thread is great!
I wish i read it before my first performance, i say it in other thread that for me it was like first sex - lot of preparation, fear, nerves and bad feealing after but i want it to do again, and again and again hahahaaa:))

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2010 6:56:18

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to michall)

quote:

lot of preparation, fear, nerves and bad feealing after

uh oh, bad feelings after?

what happened? lol.

i hope i don't get any bad feelings after. but with all the confidence i have gained from the advice in this thread, i only expect to play so well that i impregnate everyone within a mile radius.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2010 7:52:57

michall

Posts: 77
Joined: Aug. 3 2007
From: Prague

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

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..

Yeah you will play great, after this reading this "know how" from flo and other great guys its shure thing!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2010 8:17:19

hobersmith

Posts: 13
Joined: Feb. 21 2010

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

you should be glad they didn't hear everything you can play. On a first performance nobody knows what to expect, so anything that sounds even remotely as a song is good enough for them. And besides...you do want them to hear you again don't you? ;)

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.

So don't worry about it even a little.

and by the way.. nice to hear that someone else has a ritual(try to make it look imposing) before playing the guitar :P

_____________________________

my flamenco site

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2010 8:32:56

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

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?

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2010 9:16:38

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

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!

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2010 15:14:28

cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

Great news! I hope you can share some photos of your performance!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2010 15:53:39

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

fantastic.
i am really happy for you.
i knew you would make it with bravery.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2010 16:40:19

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

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.

Glad to hear of your success! When it comes to feeling the effects of alcohol social context can be as important as the amount you drink. Folks can easily be caught off guard and become intoxicated by one or two drinks in the right circumstances. I would assume your confidence level was the reason the second set went much better.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2010 16:54:56

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: first flamenco performance (in reply to Florian)

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.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2010 17:43:45