IceCreamMan
Hiya
Only really played with the same bunch of guys before and consider myself a novice basically. In the last month or so I started playing with another bunch of guys and
I been roped into playing a gig in a couple of weeks time with a different bunch of ppl i have never played with before..... 2 of this group are regular gigging muso's
well well well , playing with a different bunch of ppl i finda kinda intimidating (like being with a new lass ) , is this a common feeling , or just a case of my insecurities?
Attila
sounds good ..... breakout an earth shattering solo to set the tone ?
AlanRatcliffe
It's a natural feeling, but diminishes and disappears the more you play with other people. You come to realise we all have our strengths and weaknesses as players, but all have the music itself as common ground and can learn from each other. Good players usually know that you can learn something from everybody, regardless of skill level and experience.
Playing with better/more experienced players is added incentive/inspiration to practice and improve. In fact, some bands prefer to have a less experienced guitarist as they are less likely to have some of the more annoying traits that many good technically proficient players develop and exhibit (I'd certainly rather play with someone who is a little unsure of himself than someone who thinks he's god's gift...).
Case in point - I had Steve Newman at my place about a year ago and he wanted to jam - I refused at first ("Steve frigging Newman" said my poor, overloaded brain), but once we started playing, we both ended up having a ball.
Keira-WitherKay
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
.
Playing with better/more experienced players is added incentive/inspiration to practice and improve.
Ice cream man you have heard me say what alan has said a million ... and i always recommend to anyone to rather play with musicians who are better than you in a band... yes your ego can feel bruised if they correct something you doing... but it's gonna make you grow exponentially as a player ....sound advice for anyone
guitarbyquintin
Hey Ice Cream Man, I agree with Alan an Kiera and wanted to share a story with you.
For a short while I took lessons from Paul Gilbert. I recorded them on a little voice recorder and have a good laugh always when I listen back to the first one.
The first day I opened the door to go into my lesson with him, I think he could smell the fear I had. I was so nervous. He knew I was nervous and immediately said
"Ok let me start off by telling you a story. when I was younger I had a poster of Eddie Van Halen on my wall. He was my hero. I finally got to meet him and too felt so intimidated. Eddie played an open D chord, looked at me and asked, 'what chord is this?' I said D.... Exactly he said. I play a D chord just the same as you.'
That made me feel so much more relaxed.
Even the greats feel that way or have felt that way. Another thing I learnt, If you go study at a place like Berkley or GIT, on day one, you are so nervous because as you know guitar players can have huge egos. But when I look back, at graduation, not one of those guys were left anymore.
I play guitar cause I like it, and love that there are so many amazing players because it keeps me inspired wanting to learn more. At the end, guitar playing is a journey, there is no destination. Only now, so if you get a chance to play with Dan Patlanski , Steve Newman, or even Steve Vai you just go end enjoy being around them. Who cares if you don't play like them, they don't play like you either.
I had one cool teacher who always used to say "dude, you are only playing guitar. Its way harder to drive a bus in LA, now that would be intimidating.
just love it, don't take it too serious and if anyone has an attitude (and there are a lot of them) Ignore them ?
I bet you love playing just as much as the rest of us. ?
kevjones
Ice cream man. Just remember playing music is a gift, the ONLY competition you are in is with yourself. Agree with Alan. I just admire good music, good players and good sound. Live gigs are great you connect with the guys around you, with the sound, with people. If there is an ego in the band just put up with it if you need the gig. Good students very quickly become better than their teachers with hard work and dedication bud. You will be fine. The great thing about playing rhythm guitar is no one cares unless you are Keith Richards. (one of the best rhythm players of all time) we have no time or place for ego. The nice thing about lead is it is an expression and generally the better the guitarist the less ego, generally. So yip feel a little nerves bud it will pass, nerves male you a better player believe it or not.
singemonkey
Just do eeeeeet!
p.s., why is this in the off-topic lounge?
AlanRatcliffe
Good point. I'll move it to performance.
IceCreamMan
Went better than my fears said it would ....actually went damn well I reckon....
Thanks , good to know I am human an all...and yes, I learn loads in situs like this.
Cheers
[deleted]
....actually went damn well I reckon....
awesome! but now we wonder if you are actually human.... :-\
Arno-West
Ollie, where and when is "THE GIG". I wanna come. You always come to our gigs, so it's time to return the favour.
IceCreamMan
Arno West wrote:
Ollie, where and when is "THE GIG". I wanna come. You always come to our gigs, so it's time to return the favour.
This particular gig is a work related thing .... less ppl the better to be honest esp pro's....
but yeah, would be a blast to have you there. jamming with some other guys too and hoping to do open mic night sometime.
difference is I go to your gigs an enjoy myself, the same might not be true the other way round ?
Squonk
Good stuff ICM
I have the that same insecure feeling everytime I play and it was so bad that the first few times, my fine motor skills were shot, so I couldn't do basic things on the guitar. It's a lot better now, but just the other day I played at rumours and I was on 10th, I nearly died and was as nervous as hell.
Playing with others... I once played with Shreddy, Brendan (the old Stratisfear) and Joe Moore, I was so insecure I nearly cancelled but couldn't think of a good enough reason to do so, but I am glad I went, because you learn so much from better players.
Conrad
guitarbyquintin wrote:
Hey Ice Cream Man, I agree with Alan an Kiera and wanted to share a story with you.
For a short while I took lessons from Paul Gilbert. I recorded them on a little voice recorder and have a good laugh always when I listen back to the first one.
The first day I opened the door to go into my lesson with him, I think he could smell the fear I had. I was so nervous. He knew I was nervous and immediately said
"Ok let me start off by telling you a story. when I was younger I had a poster of Eddie Van Halen on my wall. He was my hero. I finally got to meet him and too felt so intimidated. Eddie played an open D chord, looked at me and asked, 'what chord is this?' I said D.... Exactly he said. I play a D chord just the same as you.'
That made me feel so much more relaxed.
Even the greats feel that way or have felt that way. Another thing I learnt, If you go study at a place like Berkley or GIT, on day one, you are so nervous because as you know guitar players can have huge egos. But when I look back, at graduation, not one of those guys were left anymore.
I play guitar cause I like it, and love that there are so many amazing players because it keeps me inspired wanting to learn more. At the end, guitar playing is a journey, there is no destination. Only now, so if you get a chance to play with Dan Patlanski , Steve Newman, or even Steve Vai you just go end enjoy being around them. Who cares if you don't play like them, they don't play like you either.
I had one cool teacher who always used to say "dude, you are only playing guitar. Its way harder to drive a bus in LA, now that would be intimidating.
just love it, don't take it too serious and if anyone has an attitude (and there are a lot of them) Ignore them ?
I bet you love playing just as much as the rest of us. ?
I really like this post.
Ego stands in way of artistic progress AFAIC. This is why Eddie is so great.
I have same problem with insecurity though. It affects the smaller motor skills to the point where my performance can be compromised so working on that.
[deleted]
I also battle with insecurity, at my recent exam I could not get past the first few notes of sight-reading (even though I can read quite well).
I can recall several times when I have been unable to play even simple power chords when began playing in church.
But, I have no problem jamming with my buddies!
Banditman
Sometimes I think a healthy dose of nerves is a good thing just before you go on any stage. Healthy as in, "Oh Lord please don't let me mess this up for the good people who're here to listen / watch". It reminds you you're not playing for your ego, and once the first chord rings out - off you go. Apprehension is normal but you're doing something you love, so just enjoy it.
If you're the stronger guitarist, then encourage. If you're not as skilled at lead work, then enjoy being a good rhythm guitarist while learning. Play your part with your heart and you'll complement the whole performance.
warrenpridgeon
I would previously drive myself nuts just before going on stage trying to remember riffs or rhythms of a song... but now I've gotten to a place where I don't stress as much... I still sometimes can't remember the rhythm or intro lick even while the drummer counts in... it generally comes in on the first note I play. lol.
