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Miguel de Maria -> Random stuff (Jul. 14 2005 17:13:19)
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Summer is sloooow around here. My gig % drops about 70%. Luckily, some of my contacts are helping me out... two of them are going on vacation, and I'll be filling for some of their gigs. One of the bigger agents called me--he hired me once last year, an then never called me nor returned phone calls. He wanted me for a gig and I quoted a price $100 more than he usually pays--and he went for it! Not having to rely on agencies, having my own gigs, is priceless!
Last night, I played in a lounge for happy hour. This is a tough thing for me, because my repertoire is fairly quiet in nature. The 1st 45 min were perfect--the people were quiet and I quickly got to play my classical pieces--Recuerdos, Capricho Arabe, Leyenda, etc. Unfortunately, it started to fill up and get Loud, which is not really my best thing. I did my rumbas, strummed a lot, sevillanas, bulerias. When it's that loud, I don't think solo guitar really works. Only strumming seems to make any noise; picado just disappears!
I thought to myself... I should learn to sing some rumbas, uptempo #s, for this sort of happy hour type crowd. Solo guitar just can't emotionally compete with that kind of volume. It works well when people are generally quiet, but in a crowded atosphere, you need vocals or a piano to really support the environment. So... I got out my rumba CDs and am working on some uptempo Gipsyland numbers. It's fun! I've gotten more range and power on my voice, and I think I'll be able to pull it off. I can't wait to sing at one of my gigs. I just hope that someday I'll be able to sing in Spanish as good as Kate :)
Incidentally, my wife was at my gig last night and she thougt i played great. Funny, but I thought it was horrible! It was so loud, and I can't use my m finger either.... I guess if she liked it, it was really good because you know how wives are about their husbands' guitar playing....
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