Embarrased

[keymandoguy]

I was playing with a band at the YMCA for a group of old people. I went to pick Billy in the lowground which is a fairly easy tune I have played quite a bit. Today for some reason I just couldnt get it started. I think I started about 4 times before I could get in synch. Does this ever happen to you ? I was more embassed because Im not really a member of the band I was playing with. they were kindhearted about it though. I guess you just have to grin and bear it? Oh well Im off to my weekly jam now . think Ill sit in the back row tonight !!! rofl http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[LilCreekster]

I feel for ya... that's happened to me on a few tunes I know REALLY well. Like the brain just shuts off. My mind is like... uhhhh how did that go? (even though I've played it a zillion times) My nemisis at the Symposium was Salt Creek. I kept going into big Mon instead. I couldn't get past the first couple measures. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Does it get better? Oh geez I hope so haaha. All ya can do is try try again (and practice more!)

[peterbc]

Happens to me less now, but I certainly know the feeling. It happened to me on Billy in the Lowground too, one of the first jams I went to. Also has happened on countless other tunes since http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif It gets better.

[ira]

happens here and there. laugh it off and keep going. dont let it discourage you.

[August Watters]

I have a device for getting started -- finding the first few notes of something I remember:

Just analyze the first few notes by scale degree, ignoring the rhythm -- then write them down with spaces separating each beat:

Billy in the Lowground: Key of C
The first few notes by scale degree: 1-7-1-2-3-5-6-7-1-1-2-1-6-5
Arranged with spaces between beats: #17 12 35 67 1 12 16 5

Salt Creek: Key of A
The first few notes by scale degree: 1-1-1-1-1-2-3-1-2-3-4
Arranged with spaces between beats: 1 11 1 12 31 23 4

Hope this helps!

August W

[Jeffers]

Yep, stage nerves can make things kinda tricky for me, but then again I love the buzz! I think when I play at home on tunes I know by heart I don't even think about the notes at all, just play the tune. But as soon as three or more are gathered to lend an ear I start worrying and thinking about the notes and lose that flow leading to lots of mess ups!

In my experience, knowing not to worry about the notes and just playing as if nobody else was there is half the battle. The other half is exposure to playing to and with folks and realising that when you do go blank, nobody really minds anyway!

[TommyK]

I get to rub elbows with a lot of jazz musicians. I've seen'em from beginners to accomplished musicians. One thing is a constant in Jazz. Improvisation. They start with an idea (melody) and noodle around with it. Never the same twice. In my obervation the ACCOMPLISHED ones make mistakes just as much as the newbies. They just know how to white wash it and make it sound like artistic license.
Also, when a performer makes obvious motions of disgust (with himself) for some missed note EVERYBODY knows he missed a note. They everybody feels for you and are thinking of how you looked embarrassed and aren't paying attion to the music. These motions are tightening of the jaw, shaking of the head and mouthing the words 'da** it."
Keep on smilin' and pluggin' and the ones who don't know the score (99% of the audience) never know you missed a note.

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