Had my first live performance today. Any feedback/tips would be appreciated!

[KickingBass]

Such a nice stage for a first show.... The broken stage I played on last week comes to mind. Chunks of wood sticking up, power going out in the middle of playing, feeling like the floor would give out any second....

 

[Blue Dragon]

>Honch
Wow... That video... wow. I did get through the first minute and thirty seconds before I had to look away.

The BL of one of my bands I play with was considering playing that song some time ago. I think I'll tell him watch it and reconsider.
(This is not OPs video I'm referring to - that was good. Honch's video... ow. It's painful.

 

[Blue Dragon]

My band plays Come Together and I sing the lead on it as well. You did an excellent job; a very nice groove. If I had to make one suggestion--try sliding from the D to the A before you hit the high F on the bass lick. That's what McCartney does on the original.

Agreed. And doesn't he slide down on the note after the high F too? But to be clear, it doesn't sound bad like this. If I had to sing and play too, I'd keep it simple. (but I never sing if I can possibly avoid it.)

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Great voice. My advice would be to capitalize on the voice, get an acoustic, do some solo shows or pick up another singer/player and do duos. You only split the money between two people, the gigs are easier to get and easier to load in / out. Keep playing bass, but I'd really capitalize on the voice.

 

[Honch]

S*h*i*t I can't even think of anything that you could "better" the next time. This is one of those rare instances, where just playing gig after gig will do that invisible honing that everyone needs, and can't be bettered with analysing details, or over think problems that isn't reallt there at all. Just carry on playing as many gigs as you can, preferably if you can get 2 shows, in 2 days each after another, will get you there. I e that you really can't help getting better, without any effort.

Later on, you will slowly learn how to be confident and take chances with your playing, especially improvising lines, and so on, but don't overdo such things right now, that's "premium" for now.

 

[1954bassman]

To be honest, I saw so many good things, I don't know where to start!

• First, I liked the fact that you could hear the vocals, and understand the words - huge plus
• Overall mix was good
• Great job on the bass
• Nice guitar solo
• The band looked like they were having fun
• Your singing in very good, on pitch, pleasant sounding, and enunciation was good

My suggestions:

• Push yourself to become an even better singer, vocals are always the centerpiece of most genres of music
• As a group, nail down harmony vocal parts, again the backbone of most successful bands
• Practice makes perfect. Practice your bass parts until they are deeply embedded in your mind
• Practice as a band until you guys until you can play them in your sleep
• Work at keeping unity in your band, accept each member as the individual they are
• Capitalize on each member's strengths

If vocal harmonies are a difficult area, consider voice lessons. If only two of you can sing, consider adding another member who can harmonize. Quality, professional vocals are what separate the men from the boys in working bands. Having multiple lead vocalists and great BGV's is where its at, just ask the Beatles.

Again, I want to stress, you guys sound great, and I can tell as a band you guys are working hard, and on the right track. I will also add, as a singing bassist, you will be a great band member for years to come.

 

[RichardW]

Agreed. And doesn't he slide down on the note after the high F too? But to be clear, it doesn't sound bad like this. If I had to sing and play too, I'd keep it simple. (but I never sing if I can possibly avoid it.)

Yes, you are exactly right, and on the chord change too: A-->slide to E, then the high C. But the way the OP played it is cool, too.

 

[Benny the Finger]

Great job lads...on point for 1st gig for certain...
Keep pounding away on covers and originals...
Don't play anything you can't 'get behind', for the sake of playing it...I'd rather hear 4 guys gassing out to a number I don't like and playing with oooomph and passion, than 4 guys going through the motions cause you think the audience wants 'Brown Eyed Girl' (no offence BEG lovers, just picked an over used classic)...

 

[Benny the Finger]

I will also add, as a singing bassist, you will be a great band member for years to come.

This^^^not an easy thing to do

 

[Benny the Finger]

I too have a clip of our 1st performance...we got called into emergency duty 5 days out from st Patty's day to help a bar owner friend of ours.
Not even being a band per se, more of a mid-week jam group only been jamming 3 months, we did our best...
That was over 3 years and 150 gigs ago...
Keep at it...some gigs are good..some aren't...I'd take those odds over no gigs at all...

 

[Hambone 70]

I'm impressed.

Nice job! Great vocals and an easy-to-listen-to natural singing voice, too.

 

[Jay2U]

Great for a first gig! You'll loosen up and gain skills over time.

Sometimes it's like the drummer is a little behind, or is that caused by the relative position of the mic?

 

[jwilson67]

It won't play the video anymore.

Ed. Forget that, it played. Very good for a 1st time on stage! You have a good voice and to be able to play bass and sing at the same time can get tricky but you pulled it off well - especially for a 1st time! Keep plugging away.

 

[pglaser01]

Not even gonna watch the video...ill just give you feedback....KEEP DOING IT!

You'll love it!!!

 

[LT131]

I give you and the band an excellent grade. Great live tune, solid playing and vocals.

If you need a constructive criticism I would get the drummer to listen to the leads. He might simplify a bit. Lead breaks don't mean "We all get to solo!" And that is all I got!

Great maiden voyage!

 

[travep]

I think that's awesome esp for your first set. Agree with what others are saying about some backup on that one...but you sound great! That appears to be the Anderson Mill Pub, no? My partner and I have been thinking about working out some material there...sounds great. How is it for an open mic or did you guys do a traditional gig there?

 

[JohnPaulSmith]

So now that you've played live, are you hooked? It's addictive.

 

[LT131]

At first go !?!?

I've certainly have heard way way worse, even by more experienced musicians, and you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or embarassed of. Now 20-30 years down the line you will watch this again, and it'll make you cringe and then some, which means you have matured. Yes, agree with everyone else, that song is augmented and bettered with at least one more vocals, it's not a single lead vocal song. And yes, be nervous. It goes with it. I don't know anyone who hasn't been nervous at their first gig.You have strong and clear vocals, with almost no out of tune singing which is the most common thing present when being nervous. Very good one that one.

Mainly what I've found out, it is that you're exposed to "un-acoustical" sound levels, and light "levels" from the spotlight. Bright and strong. You feel "be-littled" in that environment. Open and totally exposed for scrutinizing, just as if you were butt naked. You just pluck the strings with to little effort and out comes this loud 120 db note that everyone in the audience hears like they would scrutinize you from top til toe with a magnifying glass. It turns out just as intimate!

No wonder one feels a little bit.. embarrassed. I sure did. Practice makes perfect. No matter how much you rehearse in your rehearsal space, nothing measures up to real gig experience. That's were the real practicing takes place. Get a second gig as soon as possible, and go compare your gut reactions towards the first one.

You have absolutely nothing to get embarrassed about. Keep up the good work!

- - - - - - -

Can't help to pep your confidence and hybris, with this one, again. You would and should feel very proud, after watching this one: :



EDIT: If only my first gigs would've been as good as yours... way back in the early 80s.

I love this video. It raises so many questions.

Are these guys "a band?"
Did they practice?
Who owner the music store?
Was he one of the players?
Did the owner(s) feel this band helped drive their business(away)?
Was the band sober? If sober would they have been better high, drunk or both?
What happened to the rest of the song?
Endless.

 

[Raw N Low]

Great job! You guys sound better than some bands that have been at it for some time. Nowhere to go but up. Keep up the good job.

 

[andruca]

My best (and probably only useful) advice is not to stress about it. First things first: YOU'RE MORE THAN DECENT AND FROM THIS POINT ON YOU CAN ONLY GET BETTER so take taping/filming yourself lightly. I played for 3 years with this very control freakish singer (the mediocre in denial kind) about a decade ago. He would boss our soundguy into taping our live performance and then he'd jump in the van after a show to immediately watch the camcorder footage in insane scrutiny and paranoia. I know technology is not the same now as it was 30 years back when I started performing live so it's easy for people to get both more narcisistic about it or paranoid about themselves as a result of overdoing the film and watch myself thing. I might have seen live footage of myself for the first time probably after 100+ gigs. Never been particularly paranoid about it, never cared much, even tho' I immediately discovered I mostly hate watching myself, my image, etc. I know many are commenting on the performance itself and I can't say nothing new about it, for me it's OK, my first live performance is not on tape but I bet it wasn't anywhere near as good as yours. TB can't give you confidence, and you don't really need it, you have the chops, enjoy that and don't over-analyze yourself ;-)