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I had a chance to do a song on the Bass in a pub last night and I bottled it.
Bear in mind I am a Guitarist not Bassist and have not played in front of people for 19 years.
The pub was packed and had someones Birthday do on. It's a pub me and my brother go in most weekends, so we are familiar with it. The group had a Guitarist/Singer, Keyboard player and a Drummer and no Bassist, but they had a Bass as spare. I think they were not an established group, but musicians who do the rounds and know each other.
I was stood very close to where they were playing and just before the last song of their first set, the singer asked if anyone could play Bass so I discretely went over and asked him what they were playing. It was Valerie(Zutons version) which I could have handled quite easy I think.
The nerves kicked in at that moment then, I didn't seem too bothered when he asked but just stepping forward 3 feet on the carpet to the guy seemed to be like walking to my fate on Death Row.
I had a word anyway, ummed and aaahhhed a bit and made some excuse up to the guy and carried on watching them. I'd only had 1/2 pint as well so I wasn't scared of messing up through alcohol.
It was discrete so there was no embarassment as such, just a feeling that I was completely "Chicken". I was so disappointed with myself at the time a and was beating myself up a bit.
I have been thinking "If only" today. If I'd have just had the nerve to do it, I would have thought I'd really made a breakthrough, even though it may seem like nothing to some.
If I'd have had the song rehearsed I think I would have done it. I think that was what put most of the fear in me.
F*****g Nerves, man. If I ever play live again I hope this doesn't race to my memory.
Sorry to go on, but it's a missed opportunity as far as I'm concerned and I thought I was more brave than that.
Just wondered if you think I'm being too negative and too hard on myself about it.
Thanks.
:-(
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Comments
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
I know it won't help to say but yes you could easily have done a good job I'm sure, and if you had done it, then you would be buzzing today and wanting to join a band....
but there is a big difference between someone who is well used to gigging stepping up with no rehearsal and winging it and someone who hasn't giggied. Maybe if you were mates with the band then you would have felt more relaxed but just maybe you would have had an attack of nerves mid song and ruined it.
Just move on and next time you get the chance, if you really feel comfortable then you'll go for it.
@VimFuego
@John_P
Thanks for the support. On the upside I did really enjoy playing Guitar today.
I was in comfortable and familiar surroundings, but I think you're right, the main factors were not knowing the guys and not having the reassurance of having rehearsed the song.
To satisfy my curiosity, I played along to it on the Guitar today as if I was playing Bass and had it down easy.
Oh well!
So, it would have been your first time in 19 years. In a pub packed full of people many of whom you know and would recognise you. On not-your-main instrument. And a track that you sort-of know, but hadn't practised.
Given those conditions, I don't think you "bottled" it at all.
But I can also understand why you might feel you missed an opportunity.
As many people here are now bored of hearing me day, I played in public (for the first time in 31 years) last weekend. It was great. Didn't really "enjoy" it at the time, I was focussing too much on playing properly, but have enjoyed all the "you were really good" comments afterwards! We practised lots beforehand and want to do it again. If we hadn't have practised first, it wouldn't have gone well, and we'd all be hiding somewhere now.
Sounds like you want to do it, so I'd say find a group of like-minded people, practice some stuff, practice some more and - when you're ready to grab the opportunity - get out there and do it for real.
@TTony
Cheers
You're right. I am very hungry for it, but right place, right time is better yes.
You'll get there ... like Tony says ... practice with people you get on with and go for it ... it's a drug ... go get your fix and you'll be back for more
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
@TheGuitarWeasel
I'm looking forward to the day. Good luck with your new band
@monquixote
It's like 2 parallel universes have been created from that 1 event.
1. The one where I played and it was great.
2. The one where I played and scewed it up.
Lol
@bellycaster just back from a Jam night. Did 3 songs which I hadn't heard before (at least not for a long time) did solo's on 2, fucked up (at least I think I fucked up) the first one, got into the second, and really enjoyed it. Never before has there been so much whammy bar action (well since Viz) at the Cambridge Blues jam.
It doesn't matter if you play the odd wrong note, I know I did
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
@TheOtherDennis
Thanks for your kind words.
Funny thing is, if the guys would have asked for a guitar player, I WOULD have kept quiet because on that occasion I would have considered doing an impromptu song on Guitar a lot more daunting than doing one on Bass, there just seems a lot more scope for screwing up impromptu on Guitar than Bass.
I'm not saying Bass is easier, but you can get away with "Less is more" kind of approach, depending on the song obviously.
I think the other guys on the thread have said it and I agree that it's the fact I didn't have it rehearsed. If I definitely knew a couple of tracks of by heart that they just happened to play, I would do it on either instrument, not without nerves, but with a lot less nerves.
@mike_l
You Wily, Seasoned old Twanger, you!
Cheers @ddlooping
+1
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I was in a similar position a few years ago, hadn't played live for about ten years and went for an audition with a band that went really well, but it was only 30 minutes. They rehearsed in a place that had an open mic night the same night, and said 'why don't we get up and play half a dozen songs' Although I sort of knew them I wasn't really comfortable playing them, but said yes anyway - It was a total mess:)
You probably did the right thing, after 15 years you want to make sure your reintroduction to playing live is a good one!
@ICBM
Cheers. Yes, I have thought about acquiring a Bass etc for having more opportunities with bands. I am very into Guitar playing though and really want to pursue that. I can play to a decent level and well enough to be involved in a band which is my goal. I'll never rule the Bass out an an additional option though.
I think I was being too eager as though I had to grab the first chance available to take stage, which in hindsight wasn't a good idea. Patience, I think.
I'm glad I didn't get as far as straping the Bass on a then declining.
It's not bothering me so much now I've heard peoples opinions.