playing for my first time in a bluegrass band

[dixiecreek]

Okay guys, here's my dilemma. My mando teacher asked me if I'd be interested in joining a bluegrass band, and my answer was of course a very enthusiastic Yes!! So he gave me the contact info of this band who's looking for a mando player, and I called them. I talked to the guy for a little bit, and he said he'd call me back. He called me back last night and asked if I could meet with the band Friday night to play music together at his house, and of course I agreed. But THEN he said that I'd be playing with them this weekend (The VERY NEXT DAY!)... I was kinda like, "So soon??" I mean they haven't even heard me play yet; they don't know if I'm what they're looking for! Anyway the guy knows I'm somewhat of a beginner (I've only been playing mando for 6 months, but I've been into playing music since I was a kid and I've played... don't shoot me... b@njo... for three years), and he seemed okay with that, but I'm totally nervous.

Can you guys tell me about your first times playing with a band.... what to expect, what I should do to prepare myself beforehand, etc.... ? I have NO idea what to expect, and I'm excited, but scared!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Thanks!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

It sounds to me like you have a lot of trusting, supportive people encouraging you to get out there and play. Go for it, and have fun!

[earthsave]

Yep go for it.... your teacher wouldnt have recommended you if he thought you werent capable of playing. The best way to learn and improve is like ol Nike sez... Just Do It.

[Dennis Schubert]

Some helpful hints...

(1) Get the set list on Friday night, and take good notes -- especially about the song arrangments -- especially how each song kicks off and how it ends. That's where most of the screw-ups are likely to occur, even with very experienced players dropped into a new band.

(2) Figure out where you're going to stand w/ respect to the other guys during the performance, so you can have good eye contact with the "leader" -- that will make it easier for him guide you through the arrangements, as well. Or, stick close to whomever the leader delegates to pull you through.

(3) If you get "lost" while you're playing, keep the right hand chops going and mute the strings with your left hand so that the overall rhythm doesn't suffer. Keep smiling as you regain your bearings.

(4) Don't wear bib overalls if the rest of the guys are wearing suits...and vice versa.

(5) Do your best, and have fun.

[Moose]

dixiecreek: welcome to the world of Bluegrass Music - and it's pickers' - It'll fly.. ; act like you're really having fun - If it's a "decent" bunch.., they'll "cover" ya' and by the way good luck and just enjoy it. AS has been mentioned, if your teacher recommended you.., you'll make out fine. You'll never have to worry about your "first-time" again... hee hee.. -Let us know how-goes-it... Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Blind_Cowboy]

Just focus on the pounding of the kick drum and you'll be alright.:D

[Mike Bullard]

Just smile and put your best effort into it. Sounds like you have some people who know and appreciate your abilities. You will do fine. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[mandorado]

(4) Don't wear bib overalls if the rest of the guys are wearing suits...and vice versa.
Gotta love the mando cafe ... where else could you get such excellent advise! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Tom C]

Don't do anything fancy. If you take a break, keep it simple. I can get too into what going on and by the time my break is up, I did not play any of what I wanted to. .....and smile. I've been told I look to serious. It's just the thinking and <s>standing</s> er... playing at the same time.

[sunburst]

Ironweed, I detect a considerable amount of experience behind your excellent post. In fact, I might print it and put a copy in my case to remind me what to do next time I'm at practice. I'm by no means a beginner, but that was good advice for anybody!

[doublestop]

Get out there and make us "sisters" proud. Let us know how it goes!

[Michael H Geimer]

Creek Freak,
I have a story for you ...

I have a BG group that is still only a three piece, but few months back our mandolin player - not me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif - met a fiddler, and invited her over. He asked us beforehand if we had any issues with her being a new player of only 9mos, and banjo-guy and myself both said, "No problem".

It turned out that same weekend I invited a stand-up player over, a pro Jazz guy who wanted to get his feet wet with Bluegrass. With a bass player around we sounded pretty great that day, but it clearly scared off the fiddler. She quitely put her fiddle back in the case never having played a single note! We encouraged her to make some noise, but in the end she excused herself, never returning. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Of course neither did the bass player, right?

My point is, she missed an opportunity to play music that day, even if she couldn't continue with it at a band level. So, even if you go and have doubts - but, I don't think so! - make noise and have fun anyway. You'll make some friends ... friends who play music!

[levin4now]

This is coincidental, but I was invited by a member of a BG band (and a cafe member here) to 'jam' with his band next week. what an opportunity! I met him at a small BG festival this past weekend, and he graciously offered me a chance to 'chop' a little while the band jammed/rehearsed. Now, unlike you dixiecreek, no one here is thinking of putting me on a stage!

Congratulations! Enjoy yourself!

[mrbook]

No one ever thinks they are ready the first time, and if someone offers you the chance, trust that they know what they are doing and get up and play. If you wait, you will never be ready. If you goof up once or twice, no one will remember by the end of the show.

Everyone that has joined our band has usually had only one practice session before their first gig with us - if they are going to play with us, they just have to be ready at showtime. It hasn't scared anyone away yet.

[dixiecreek]

hey all... thanks for being so supportive! You guys really put my nerves at ease... I've been freaking myself out all day thinking about it, and I'd almost talked myself into just calling the guy and telling him I'm not ready yet. AHH! But now I'm feeling a little better, and I'm just gonna give it a go on Friday and see what happens. I'm still totally freaked, but if it's meant to be I guess it'll work out! thanks guys http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Hondo]

dixiecree,

Keep us posted!

[ira]

just have fun and stay looose!!!! you will sound much better than you think, and most audiences are pretty forgiving.

[duuuude]

Go for it! It's about sharing the music and having a good time, not impressing anybody. Just keeping the rhythm with muted strings at times is also contributing to the overall sound, so do your best & enjoy the experience. The first time only happens once!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[green_leaf]

Hannah, you could win over an audience on your smile alone, so just feel everyone out there wanting you to succeed. Have fun with the music, too!

Will

Don't forget the Malox! I drank almost a whole bottle to calm down my stomach my first time on stage but after the first tune its smoooth sailing from there.

[dixiecreek]

aww thanks everyone! I'm feeling a lot better... but still REALLY nervous... I only have one day left til I meet with the guys... EEEH!!

[duuuude]

Two words: Jack Daniels http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jack Roberts]

Do it! Do it!

I remember when I was first asked to play in a gig, I was s-c-a-r-e-d. But we keep getting asked to play! (There are still people who haven't been warned yet.)

Do it, you'll love it!

Jack

[Ken Sager]

Two helpful words: No Sweat!

[Clyde Clevenger]

I have a button that I often wear that says, "I May Not Be Good, But I'm CONFIDENT".

My two words? Doublestops. Lotsofem.

[Trip]

after playin for only 6 months in a regular jam, I was given a mercy gig as a second mando and was able to just chop away and only took a break or two all night....but it got me going, and now play at least a show a week now....my button would say"Im not Grisman, but I am having fun"

StrangerStringBand (http://www.strangerstringband.com)

[dixiecreek]

hahaha that's cute, I like that http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jim simpson]

Although it wasn't my first time in a bluegrass band, it was my first time as a new mandolin player in a bluegrass band. I had practiced the break for Bluegrass Cabin Home in the key of A and thought I was ready. It was a faily high profile gig featuring many bands. I screwed it up so bad, it was so embarrasing! I even have a cassette of the performance. It is still hard to listen to and very humbling. Fortunately these days if there is a clam, it doesn't stand out and no one seems to notice. I recently witnessed a very experience player screw up a break in their set. She recovered and the rest of the performance was great. I guess we are not machines!

[dixiecreek]

So I survived practicing with the band. It was one of the most intimidating things I think I've ever done! The banjo player told me more than once that I've got a good back beat and that it was nice finally having a mandolin, but the fiddle player (who's the band leader) didn't seem as impressed. I mean don't get me wrong, he was nothing but nice to me and he expressed interest in having me over more to practice and learn their songs, but we both agreed I'm not ready to play with them live yet. Although, I thought I did pretty well for my first time playing with a band EVER... I was able to follow the chord progressions *gasp* by ear *gasp*, even in funky keys that I'm not familiar with like B flat, and for that I was extremely proud of myself, hehe... I did find myself glancing over at the guitar player a lot to see what the heck chords I was supposed to be playing (thank goodness I'm a tiny bit familiar with guitar!), and I didn't take any solos just 'cause I can't improvise to save my life, plus they were ALL songs that I didn't know (with the exception of Old Joe Clark and Foggy Mountain Breakdown, two songs I coulda totally rocked out on if I had my banjo, but which I unfortunately haven't learned on mandolin yet.) Ooh but one of the guys let me play with his banjolin, which was insanely fun 'cause I've always wanted to get my hands on one of those things. The banjo player had a really nice Gibson banjo. I really wanted to touch it. Hehe. Each of them wanted to know about the autograph on my mando, and it made me quite sad that none of them knew who Chris Thile is (they're like, hardcore traditionalists, not into newgrass), but once I said "From Nickel Creek?" they all kinda went "ooooooohhh..." haha... aaaaaaanywho, that's that. I told them I can't practice with them this week 'cause I'm busy, and that after that I'm free, so they said they'll be in touch with me. We'll see what happens. If it's meant to be and God's got His blessing on it, then it'll work out.

[Clyde Clevenger]

Bluegrassers who don't know who Chris Thiele is? My kinda guys. I bet they know who Red Allen is.

[harwilli55]

Way to Go Dixie,

Instead of waiting for them to call you, call them and arrange to go practice with them again. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

After a while the inhibitions will leave and you will blow their socks off as well as continue to learn and have fun.

Harlan

[Michael H Geimer]

Way to go Dixie! That sounds exactly like it supposed to go for a first practice. I agree with Harlan ... call them and set up your next practice with them, and keep having fun.

- Benig

[wannabethile]

i told you that it would go just fine!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandofiddle]

I did find myself glancing over at the guitar player a lot to see what the heck chords I was supposed to be playing (thank goodness I'm a tiny bit familiar with guitar!)
Congrats on your first band experience Dixiecreek. Probably won't be your last, and it usually just gets better. Funny you should mention looking at the guitar player's chords. Thats pretty standard around here if your sitting in with bands without knowing their tunes. Definitely nothing to be ashamed of. Look at it as just another "tool" you have when playing with other folks.

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

Good news, dixiecreek. Entering a band is quite a process. It can take a little while. Songs to learn aside, there is the listening to each others' parts, which always seems to take more time than one would think. You obviously have the ability to pickup your part quickly. You will hear more and more what the others are doing and what you can add. The same goes for the band, listening to you and what you have to offer.
A band leader is somewhat different in that he/she has a 'sound' plan or goals for each song. Some (most) leaders will ask you to play specifically what they want to hear. Some will be more interested that you nail the style rather than the exact notes. But as this leader hears more of your playing, he will figure out how best to incorporate your playing and be able to give you better direction..
Be prepared to make some changes. If you like the music, the band, and playing out, the changes made are well worth it.