Double Bass Is performance in public

[Andy Mopley]

a significant validation step in becoming a better musician? Just curious..Sometimes just playing with others can be its own reward..?? Notwithstanding what professional musicians need to do - and in this case, is the music played primarily for self validation AND financial support?


Regards to all

 

[fu22ba55]

I'm a jazz and rock guy--I don't have the chops to play orchestral in public.

That said, I think the benefit of any public performance is "tempering", or giving YOU the confidence to perform "under pressure." (That why music schools stress performance so much as a regular part of the curriculum).

Or better said, the more you perform in public, the less pressure you feel each time you do it.

Pro musicians often describe the benefit of practice as raising the FLOOR, not the CEILING, of their playing, so even their WORST performance on any given day is acceptable (to them and the audience).

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edit: in thinking about your post, I keep getting hung up on the word "validation", and I'm not sure how best to interpret it, and don't think I addressed it.

I've had some amazing (public) performances that I'll never forget, but some of the most memorable moments have also happened in rehearsal rooms.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

I really like the idea of "raising the floor".

 

[Brilee]

Performing is very different for me from jamming or rehearsing.The air feels different, because every moment counts and is "for real". No do-overs. A performance that goes right or wrong really teaches you how to be in the moment and adapt. When you perform you are looked at, criticized, analyzed, appreciated, accepted, and loved. All that at once, if the crowd is big enough. After you know you can get through that, it usually gets easier and easier to perform. Having to deal with all the realness in the now also wakes you up to the work you need to do to prepare, unless you're a total dunderhead (or going through an arrogant phase, often called "youth").

 

[Lee Moses]

Interesting question. I want to say, "Absolutely not"; but then I get to thinking about the tree that falls in the middle of the woods with no one around to hear it...

 

[Carl Hillman]

Is performance in public a significant validation step in becoming a better musician?

I'd say yes, if I understand the question correctly.

A good performance can motivate you to continue to practice and learn more.

Paradoxically, so can getting up in front of people and folding horribly.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Since I became a free-lancer many years ago I would say that the vast majority of the gigs I've played of many different types have been positive experiences. One of the most important things has been to try to make the best, both musically and non-musically, of the whole situation. I've played with many perfectionists who often are so wrapped up in what they consider the quality of their own individual playing that they end up feeling depressed and upset if it's not up to some self-determined standard. This can make it unpleasant for everybody if you let it. With good players, the audience and often the other musicians have no idea this is going on, but the player involved can be torturing themselves, and sometimes those around them. I truly believe that the key to performance happiness is to be prepared, play as well as you can, enjoy the musical moment, and move on. Live performing can be the most rewarding thing we do musically, and being kind to ourselves and others makes it even more so.

 

[AGCurry]

A qualified "yes." The public performance itself might not make you a better musician (although there isn't really another way to raise an adrenaline level in a good way). But the discipline of getting ready for performance is irreplaceable and necessary.

The value of performance is in learning to (for want of a less-tired phrase) think on your feet and enjoy doing so.

 

[Stewie]

We rehearse to play for people. I absolutely love playing with my bandmates, but playing well while watching the dancers (especially the pretty ones) is the real reward

 

[basscleff94010]

As an amateur who plays mostly classical orchestral music, I find concerts to be nothing more than a pain in the butt. I find no value in dressing up and the concert formalities which makes me feel separate from listeners. And I rarely play as well as when I am working with the rest of the orchestra, sans audience. I lovve playing with other musicians. And my favorite "concerts" are when we just play for each other. The audience is not needed...at least for me personally. I accept that I am weird this way.

 

[thmsjordan]

a significant validation step in becoming a better musician? Just curious..Sometimes just playing with others can be its own reward..?? Notwithstanding what professional musicians need to do - and in this case, is the music played primarily for self validation AND financial support?


Regards to all

Validation step? hmm.....

If you get applause or some other form of approval like money, then I would say yes.

If on the other hand you are run out of town by villagers with pitchforks, torches and the like, then maybe not so much.

 

[Andy Mopley]

tmsjordan - Or having a cymbal thrown at you? ..

 

[Bruce Calin]

As an amateur who plays mostly classical orchestral music, I find concerts to be nothing more than a pain in the butt. I find no value in dressing up and the concert formalities which makes me feel separate from listeners. And I rarely play as well as when I am working with the rest of the orchestra, sans audience. I lovve playing with other musicians. And my favorite "concerts" are when we just play for each other. The audience is not needed...at least for me personally. I accept that I am weird this way.

That's unfortunate. Somebody explained to me way back that the formal wear and formalities show respect for your audience. I know there's a move toward less of that now but it's only the surface stuff, it's not the music. Playing for people is one of the reasons we play at all. I know musicians who prefer recording to playing live, but they both have their appeal. Audience appreciation can be it's own reward for hard work in the practice room and rehearsal. If you don't need it or want it that's fine, but it's a big part of the satisfaction IMO.

 

[David Potts]

I see a progression -

I want to play the bass
What sort of music (jazz, orchestral, ......)
Find advice on how to start
A bass and (hopefully) a teacher
Get good enough to play with others (the first validation of the efforts so far)
Try and hook up with your first group (nerves)
This group aspires to play in public, perhaps even for money ! (more nerves)

The validation is for the group and is the reaction of the audience and the invitation to return. The members feel happy and satisfied.

Are you getting good in your chosen genre?
Jazz solos becoming more comfortable. Harder orchestra repertoire and reading music coped with.
Do other groups invite you to play?
Could be time for a next teacher
Time for a better group or groups
Are you young and aspire to do bass at school or college towards possibly becoming a professional?
Extreme nerves - AUDITIONS !!

Playing solos with or without accompaniment for auditions or examinations is when you become really exposed. IMO being accepted is the validation of all your hard work so far but there is much more to do............

 

[Ed S]

I don't know about validation. But it does take your game to a higher level.

I definitely appreciate playing in public - both at a public jam, and when my group plays at retirement homes. A public jam is quite casual, but definitely requires a different set of skills from sitting home by yourself playing in your living room. Helps you develop some different skills.

Playing at retirement homes is also pretty casual - and the captive audience is very accepting. But even that setting encourages you to take your game to a higher level. And brings a different sort of rewards.

We stopped trying to play out for $, because it wasn't working out for us. The main thing was that it required considerable effort which took away from the low pressure joy we got from playing together. If all members of a group are not willing to exert the effort required to play out - and be GOOD - it is an exercise in frustration. And then there is no guarantee that you will develop a following/draw an audience. But, I guess I learned THAT from the experience.