Performance Tips (6)

[gypsy]

;D Okay, will get brave and start a thread. What helps you in a performance, and what are you working on?

Number 1 .......... Have a pleasant expression on your face, when performing.

Mine, everlastingly, is to have a pleasant expression on my face when we perform. We busk ALOT.........and it makes a difference. While the men can look noble when they have a sober mien, i just look the hag. So I keep a BIG mirror above my dulcimer for the am practice, and look at it. I also practice a half smile while driving. This has the side effect of making me a nicer driver.......hard to do wicked things when you are smiling!
A help for stage fright is to go to the site in advance, and really sniff around. Take your time, and scope it out to the fullest. Once there, if performing on stage, find the green room and USE IT. my first major performance, I didn't and just about died. The subsequent one was much easier.

Gypsy

Number 2 .......... Learn to talk and play simultaneously.

You would be amazed at how many people will ask questions when you are playing a million klick per second polka. Practice at practice, sessions, anywhere. Very helpful. O'course the pennywhistle player is lucky in this, their mouths are full

Gypsy

Number 3 .......... Make a sign for playing in public - to cut down the questions.

When I am playing at bookstores or other "sitting gigs," I do not have this problem. But for the street or farmer's market gigs, I get people trying to talk to me all the time. It is funny because I made a sign to put on my stand that says "Dustin Cooper: early and traditional music played on the hammered dulcimer" to cut down the questions (because the most common question is "what is that?").

Cooper

Number 4 .......... Always arrive early for a gig.

Get to your show at least 30 minutes before hand to let your instrument acclimate.
I prefer 45 minutes, but that is sometimes too ideal. I just find a nice place to set my case out of the way and unzip the top just a tad bit to let it slowly get use to the air. It may still go flat or sharp, but it will most likely still be in tune with itself.

Cooper

Number 5 .......... Always find out about the lighting .... before the gig.

At indoor venues, make certain you know where the dratted lights are. Played for a Beer Fest (no, don't even go there, was the scariest venue we have done yet) and not only could we not find the lights.........the hosts could not find the lights, even the cops couldn't find the lights. My trusty gig bag had a halogen for ME, himself came up with a ONE led light for the fiddler. The guitarist was just out of luck.

Gypsy

Number 6 .......... Use a Battery clip on Light when the natural light is poor.

As for playing when there are no lights, I found a black ball cap that has two LEDs in the brim and a battery and switch on the back. It's not perfect, but provides some basic light when you're in the dark. Can't remember where I found it.

But, another solution I've used, provided by a friend, is a battery-powered flourescent lamp. I had to find a place to put it so I could see the dulcimer but it wasn't in my eyes or in the audiences' eyes. This was outside, as it was getting dark, around a campfire that wasn't positioned so I had light on the dulcimer from it.

Dulcimike

What other thoughts are out there?

[gypsy]

Well, i'll just add to my ownself! Another one: Learn to talk and play simultaneously. You would be amazed at how many people will ask questions when you are playing a million klick per second polka. Practice at practice, sessions, anywhere. Very helpful. O'course the pennywhistle player is lucky in this, their mouths are full

[Dick Glasgow]

I've seen musicians actually have a conversation while belting out reels & not missing a note but I just can't do it, except for the odd word. When I try, I only seem to be able to do it in time to the music, which just sounds silly.

Same thing if I have a piece of gum in my mouth .... I even have to chew in time to the music!

I'd 2nd the "Get their Early" idea though. It certainly helps you to get settled & feeling comfortable. Essential if your going to a pub session, cause if it's large, then there's usually an inner circle & then outer circles & the inner dudes have most of the fun & usually get the most comfortable chairs!

Cheers
Dick

[gypsy]

S'okay, Dick, i think we ALL start by singing answers to the public. But it really makes a difference. I can't discuss bookings while playing, but i can at least give the name of the tune, band, and what it is i am playing. It is in there with practicing the smile while i play. Just useful to know when you are busking.
Grace under pressure: Showed up for a gig last night, was shown the TEE NINEY corner that the four of us would occupy, only to have the owner say "hammer dulcimer? i was told it would be a fiddle and guitar ONLY'. OUCH! offered for himself and myself to leave, was told to stay, and the crowd loved us. We got another booking from them at midnight last night. So there is another one, don't freak out until you have time to do so!

[cooper]

gypsy said:

Learn to talk and play simultaneously. You would be amazed at how many people will ask questions when you are playing a million klick per second polka.

No freak'n kidding! When I am playing at bookstores or other "sitting gigs," I do not have this problem. But for the street or farmer's market gigs, I get people trying to talk to me all the time. It is funny because I made a sign to put on my stand that says "Dustin Cooper: early and traditional music played on the hammered dulcimer" to cut down the questions (because the most common question is "what is that?").

Good advice!

[Dick Glasgow]

That sign sounds like a great idea Cooper.

I must make up one of those.

Cheers
Dick

[dulcimike]

I once had a fellow come and stick out his hand to shake hands with me in the middle of a a tune at a farmer's market. I knew him and he's an obnoxious fellow. I won't stop again to shake hands.

I do have people come and start talking to me while I'm playing. Sometimes I can get out a syllable or two. Maybe I should practice saying "I will be quite pleased to talk with you once I am finished with this piece." However, I can't get nearly that much out, and if I could, I could carry on a conversation.

I noticed the other day that Dan Landrum _can_ say a few things while playing. Maybe someday I will be able to as well.

The sign idea is a good one.

[Dick Glasgow]

I once had a fellow come and stick out his hand to shake hands with me in the middle of a a tune at a farmer's market. I knew him and he's an obnoxious fellow. I won't stop again to shake hands.

A *Farmer's Market* eh?
I'm just imagining all the things he might have had on his hands!

Rick, perhaps your sign should read:

"I will be quite pleased to talk with you once I am finished with this piece."

;D

[cooper]

I am glad you like that idea for a sign, but if you are outdoors you will have to use string to keep the wind from blowing it around (I laminated my sign).

It sounds like not even a sign would of stopped that guy from shaking your hand while playing (maybe an electric fence? )

The venders at the Farmer's Market seem to really like the hammered dulcimer because they request me to play often. The big joke there is that you have to be decent because there is plenty of things they can throw at you if you suck ;D

I have another tip for performing. It is not exclusive to the hammered dulcimer, but I think with as many strings as we have to tune, we benefit the most:
Get to your show at least 30 minutes before hand to let your instrument acclimate (sp?).
I prefer 45 minutes, but that is sometimes too ideal. I just find a nice place to set my case out of the way and unzip the top just a tad bit to let it slowly get use to the air. It may still go flat or sharp, but it will most likely still be in tune with itself.

I live in Oklahoma City and we are almost as flat as Kansas, so our weather changes so fast (it has gone from 65 degrees to snowing in 8 hours one time). But, when I was living in Seattle for a short time, the hammered dulcimer I was renting stayed in tune with it'self for 3 weeks! (I love Dusty Strings)

[gypsy]

An hour is even better. And i practice talking........you do tend to get more tips when talking and playing! Just as long as it is not a lightening fast polka...........

[dulcimike]

admin said:

I once had a fellow come and stick out his hand to shake hands with me in the middle of a a tune at a farmer's market. I knew him and he's an obnoxious fellow. I won't stop again to shake hands.

A *Farmer's Market* eh?
I'm just imagining all the things he might have had on his hands!

Rick, perhaps your sign should read:

"I will be quite pleased to talk with you once I am finished with this piece."

;D

Yeah, probably so. Does it have to be red and
move?
I can do red, but I'm not sure I can get it to
move.



(I think you've created a monster!)

[Dick Glasgow]

No, this is a monster Rick

[gypsy]

Oh man, i wanna make a monster. Very cool. Latest toy we got from Radio Shack.....a little hand held fan, that has programable LED's. We have the band name on ours......our most loyal fan.

[dulcimike]

gypsy said:

Oh man, i wanna make a monster. Very cool. Latest toy we got from Radio Shack.....a little hand held fan, that has programable LED's. We have the band name on ours......our most loyal fan.

So, have you bought it a club yet?

[gypsy]

Yer good, laddie, yer good. Have to go to thinkgeek.com and see if they have an LED club........it could get really BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDD under the canopy!