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A bit nervous...

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 6:58 am
by Blindboy
To be honest, I am rarely nervous or intimidated on stage. However... Since 2009 or so when we got the TWBB rolling I have played pretty much exclusively up here in our small town in the mountains. This is OK, I have a great band, but... I am kind of the best electric blues player (by a wide margin) in our scene. That means I have no one to learn from, bounce ideas off of, swap licks with, etc... I'm kind of playing in a vacuum. Now, we have a gig down in Albuquerque, the biggest city in New Mexico. I used to play here a fair bit many years ago, so I know a lot of the musicians around town. A couple of times a year I will hit up an open mic down in Abq. and there are a lot of really quite good blues guitarists there. Now, I really try to not buy into the guitar gunslinger attitude that can prevail at these venues, but it is hard to be a blues guitar player and not have a bit of that competitive urge. All these players have a number of other guitarists to work off of, compete with, learn from, etc... I am pretty much influenced by Texas Blues and Piedmont fingerstyle... These guys are mostly Chicago and Memphis Blues influenced. Very different styles. Most of the popular blues bands in the city are a bit more polished than we are, too. I guess what I am saying is that I am a bit nervous about our reception in the big city. Since I can't work anymore, we are going to try to pick up more paying gigs (I need the money) so I hope folks like what we do.
Anyway, wish us luck. Our gig is Saturday... I'll let y'all know how it went.
Meanwhile, here is a pic of our living room.
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100_2420.JPG (3.2 MiB) Viewed 10222 times

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 7:15 am
by VikingBlues
The very best of luck Blindboy! You and your band have the skills not to have to rely on just luck though. :thumbsup:

On the guitar gun-slinger / competitive element thing you should remember one thing. You sound like you, and nobody else does. I've encountered sounds of a lot of very accomplished guitarists but a lot of them have no individuality to their sound, just flash and pyrotechnics which is very boring.

PS - I like the photo - very bluesy vibe to it!

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 7:45 am
by 12bar
Good luck, BB! :fingerscrossed:
I think the other guitar players will get A LOT to learn! :dance:

As you wrote, your style is different. That will make a lot easier to compete, if you wish to. In Blues it's not speed nor technique, it's feeling and passion, so no need to be afraid. :thumbsup:

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 5:07 pm
by MichaelRobinson
This is the only way I maby can help you. It's 100 licks. http://guitaralliance.com/blues-guitar-licks/

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 8:26 pm
by HalfBlindLefty
Less polished doesn't mean less good. Play your heart out and you'll be fine. I've listened a lot to you and would show up on one of your gigs if it was over here no doubt.

Good luck and go get 'm

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:25 am
by Blindboy
Thanks for the encouraging words. My case of nerves isn't enough to interfere with my playing or my enjoyment, just thinking about it. :roll: If I would ever practice, it might help. I pretty much only play with the band... once a week. :whistle: I will let y'all know how it goes.

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:18 am
by Blindboy
Well, our gig went very well. There was a large and appreciative crowd, the bar manager said that our volume was perfect (for bar managers, a very important factor), people cheered, whistled, and danced. We got paid, and we got asked back for their next unbooked Saturday, July second. It really was a good night. Met some really nice people, including some musicians and a couple of people who either run bars or book bands for them. I think this might be a good foot in the door for us.
As y'all said, I was nervous for nothing. :big_smile:

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:34 pm
by MichaelRobinson
Congratiolations, BB and band...... :beer:
Hope you find youre way.


Take care

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:25 pm
by 12bar
Sounds like a perfect gig! Congrats! :clap:

Now - video/audio? :whistle:

Re: A bit nervous...

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:19 am
by VikingBlues
Well done the TWBB! :clap:

Well done too the citizens of Albuquerque who seem to know I good thing when they see / hear it.

Good luck with that foot in teh door. :fingerscrossed: