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1st gig...at 54 years old

#42
Agreed with Joe. This story put a big smile on my face. :D
I still get nervous before our sets after playing shows for 8 years, but it's not really anxiety about me being in front of people, or screwing up, or something going wrong. It's anticipation of the feeling of playing for a crowd of people. An anxious feeling to rock some faces off.

It's electric, and it's cool you get to experience with your sons.

You'll surely be nervous. Your heart will beat faster and your legs might feel shaky. But you are going to LOVE the rush of playing in front of people. It's like nothing else.

Knock 'em dead, buddy.
 
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#45
That is so cool.. What are some of the songs you will be playing? My son used to sing with us.. We were in a band where my wife sang.. I played bass.. my son sang.. and the pianist and 'bone man's daughter also sang. He was 15 then.. Now he is 18 and has lost every clue he was trying to find 3 years ago..
 
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#46
Congrats on BOTH having such a great relationship with (and respect from) your kids AND on your "first real gig"....

Yes - nerves can be an issue...but like others have said, make the nerves work FOR you.

Relax and have fun....if you think you need it, have "cribs" or even full music within eye shot....

I played out once or twice in high school and then began playing in front of hundreds every week in my 40s. (Church band)....I was nervous but it turned out to be more fun than nerve racking.

We do play "out" (festivals) 1-2 times per year and I now find it a rush....

Let us know how it goes....
 
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#47
[QUOTE="He surprised the hell out of me by asking if I would play bass that night. It's a great opportunity for me to play live with my two sons. Since the songs he's using for the set are all new, I have to start from scratch and have a month to learn everything.[/QUOTE]

That's great! Do your best with the songs leading up to the gig, then enjoy yourself. Have a fun night playing bass with your sons :)
 
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#48
I will be 54 next month. I tried to learn bass in the mid 70's (before the internet) and failed miserably. The only time I played on stage was at a high school basket ball game and I butchered "Smoke on the water":bawl:. Like you I have been a bedroom player for about 4 years now & have been working with a guitar player & drummer on a band. Now in the 50's I have decided to go for it. I say don't sweat it and do it
 
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#51
ack said:
Last week, my son told me that his band was asked to open up a show at a downtown Raleigh bar in early November. His band is on hiatus at this time, so he asked if he could perform using a project band.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited...and nervous - I'm not one for being in the spotlight.
Click to expand...
The good news is you've picked the perfect instrument to avoid the spotlight with! Good luck, have a blast.
 
#53
Great! Playing with your sons! Doesn't get any better. Don't worry about your playing with all the positive vibes coming from this board you're covered. Enjoy every moment of the show. Keep the groove.
 
#54
ack said:
Last week, my son told me that his band was asked to open up a show at a downtown Raleigh bar in early November. His band is on hiatus at this time, so he asked if he could perform using a project band.
My youngest son is the drummer in his band, so he'll use him for his project work.

He surprised the hell out of me by asking if I would play bass that night. It's a great opportunity for me to play live with my two sons. Since the songs he's using for the set are all new, I have to start from scratch and have a month to learn everything.

I'm just a hack on bass, but I really enjoy playing along to my favorite music in our jam room. Really, the only reason I started buying instruments 8 years ago was to see if my kids would get into music. They have, and I've happily become their roadie and ATM machine.

I'm a bit nervous about the gig, because here's my live/stage resume: 1 song - in front of the cleaning crew after a church variety show. 6 people folding chairs & tables and throwing away tablecloths, ignoring the band on-stage covering a song they've never heard before.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited...and nervous - I'm not one for being in the spotlight. The comforting piece of all this is that my kids wanted to do this as a 3-piece, and I'll feel a bit more secure knowing they are just a few feet away. I'm really proud of these two, and I'm going to try to practice as much as I can so I don't let them down.

We've had a brief rehearsal of 4 songs and I've recorded it and uploaded it to listen whenever I'm at work (like tonight). We also wrote down song structure and transcribed notes so I can practice on my own.

Anyway, if my nerves don't cause me to spontaneously combust beforehand, then this should be fun.
Just thought I'd share this -
-Steve
Click to expand...
You will be fine. Breathe steady and pretend you are in your jam room!
 
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#55
Hi!

ack said:
Last week, my son told me that his band was asked to open up a show at a downtown Raleigh bar in early November. His band is on hiatus at this time, so he asked if he could perform using a project band.
My youngest son is the drummer in his band, so he'll use him for his project work.

He surprised the hell out of me by asking if I would play bass that night. It's a great opportunity for me to play live with my two sons. Since the songs he's using for the set are all new, I have to start from scratch and have a month to learn everything.

I'm just a hack on bass, but I really enjoy playing along to my favorite music in our jam room. Really, the only reason I started buying instruments 8 years ago was to see if my kids would get into music. They have, and I've happily become their roadie and ATM machine.

I'm a bit nervous about the gig, because here's my live/stage resume: 1 song - in front of the cleaning crew after a church variety show. 6 people folding chairs & tables and throwing away tablecloths, ignoring the band on-stage covering a song they've never heard before.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited...and nervous - I'm not one for being in the spotlight. The comforting piece of all this is that my kids wanted to do this as a 3-piece, and I'll feel a bit more secure knowing they are just a few feet away. I'm really proud of these two, and I'm going to try to practice as much as I can so I don't let them down.

We've had a brief rehearsal of 4 songs and I've recorded it and uploaded it to listen whenever I'm at work (like tonight). We also wrote down song structure and transcribed notes so I can practice on my own.

Anyway, if my nerves don't cause me to spontaneously combust beforehand, then this should be fun.
Just thought I'd share this -
-Steve
Click to expand...

I just want to pile on and say how ridiculously fabulous this is. I'm wishing you and yours all the best!

I've performed with my daughter a couple of times and you would've though my face was going to disappear because my smile was SO big.

A friend at church plays on the worship team with me. On several Sundays he would have his son and two daughters on the team together with him. He was trying his best to be humble but you could tell he was really proud of his kids. The daughters have since moved out of the area but his son still plays bass, drums, and guitar on the team. It's nice to see family members play together.

All the best to you and yours. Please take pictures and start a thread in the Gig Stories section. It'll be great!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
#56
What a great story! Really happy for you!

I've never performed with my dad, but I really enjoy playing with him when we get the chance. Based on the response here, it sounds like you're getting a chance to do what so many of us hope for. I know I am, but my 4 year old can barely hold up the squire strat and my 2 year old...
 
#59
I skimmed this thread - don't have time right now to read the whole thing. I agree this is awesome and put a huge smile on my face. If it hasn't been said, try to get a sound check and make sure you can hear everyone and feel/hear yourself and have fun. If you can't hear something, it will stress you out.
 

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