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Going back to work was not nearly as painful as I expected. I'm glad I got the chance to do a bit of soul-searching during my time off. Updates at 11.
Wow. I got to play in the music circle on Saturday night. My, oh my.
Everybody was so gracious and so much kinder than I deserved.
I hate the way my voice seizes up when I get nervous.
Two of the songs I did went along okay: they have distinct beginnings and endings, I got the words in the right order and only missed a couple of chords throughout, and other people were able to have a little fun with them.
Another was a predictable train wreck: I just learned it and I still can’t remember the words beyond the first verse. All I really have to do with it is make certain that I know all the words and the chords in the bridge and it’ll be fine.
The last was an absolute disaster. Unfortunately the one that everyone was there for, but such is life. Lessons: make sure that I know the darn thing, music and lyrics, front to back and every which way. As in, “could play it in my sleep.”
I’m more certain than ever that I have no business playing with these magnificent musicians. At least I could mostly follow what was going on (even Fred with his odd tuning), although I didn't have anything interesting to contribute.
To anyone who was there, thank you many times for humoring me!
Wow. I got to play in the music circle on Saturday night. My, oh my.
Everybody was so gracious and so much kinder than I deserved.
I hate the way my voice seizes up when I get nervous.
Two of the songs I did went along okay: they have distinct beginnings and endings, I got the words in the right order and only missed a couple of chords throughout, and other people were able to have a little fun with them.
Another was a predictable train wreck: I just learned it and I still can’t remember the words beyond the first verse. All I really have to do with it is make certain that I know all the words and the chords in the bridge and it’ll be fine.
The last was an absolute disaster. Unfortunately the one that everyone was there for, but such is life. Lessons: make sure that I know the darn thing, music and lyrics, front to back and every which way. As in, “could play it in my sleep.”
I’m more certain than ever that I have no business playing with these magnificent musicians. At least I could mostly follow what was going on (even Fred with his odd tuning), although I didn't have anything interesting to contribute.
To anyone who was there, thank you many times for humoring me!
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You okay?
Re: You okay?
The trauma was only figurative. See, I'm surrounded by all these talented musicians, and I'm just nowhere near up to snuff, but I dared play anyway.
And see how encouraging and kind everyone is? I'm overwhelmed in the best possible way.
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I got ectoplasm all over my hands. That stuff doesn't wash out very easily, either. And I didn't like what I found.
*whistle blithely*
It was fun (you were brave AND true!)and we should encourage more people to give it a go-if everyone 'new' to the circle tried 1-3 songs a night, we'd have a fuller, more vibrant circle in a year AND the seasoned musicians (I like your word magnificent, but humility (did you know I'm humble? Good natured too, shy and retiring...) stops me from using it here) would be happy because they'd carry the majority of the songs.
Wait, this sounds suspiciously like my music circle rant...
Humor, schmumor-the circle is about complementary personalities as much as musicianship. You humored _us_ by listening as well :).
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I just keep reminding myself how good it is for your career. And that Chicago isn't very far: 55 minutes by airplane, and round trip tickets are going for $133.
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Which compensates, some, for not getting to hear you in the circle at Winnipeg.
I hate the way my voice seizes up when I get nervous.
I expect that will pass the more experience you get playing in the circle.
I only got to hear two of the songs you played, and I enjoyed them very much. Even the last one (which now lives on as an earworm, darn it. You wouldn't happen to have a pointer to the lyrics, so I'd have more to the earworm than one line?)
I believe I've heard every singer in that circle forget the lyrics to something at one time or another, so you're in good company.
I’m more certain than ever that I have no business playing with these magnificent musicians.
I disagree. Play more with them, you'll play more up to their level.
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You can find the lyrics here (http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/cleaves-slaid/broke-down-7057.html).
And if you like, I can bring you the song on CD. I think Slaid Cleaves is wonderful, and the whole album is well worth listening to.
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Apologies
Thanks for the offer of the song on CD: I think I'm first going to try and lay my hands on it (the CD), before I impose on my friends.