First Live Performance - What To Play?

[Steve John B]

I've been playing a little over 3 months, and my teacher wants me to take part in an evening show with some of his other students (mid July). I'm going to be doing something on alto with piano accompaniment. He initially suggested 'Autumn Leaves' but someone else is playing that.

Any ideas? I'm thinking 'These Foolish Things' should be doable. Something with a decent tune would be nice.

I'll be posting about stage fright nearer the time...

 

[kevgermany]

Good luck, it's good to get into perfoming early.

Pick something you like, enjoy playing and don't mind beating to death rehearsing. These foolish things sounds good, but I bet there'll be lots of other ideas.

Summertime would be my suggestion. And it's something you can come back to in the future and improvise on....

 

[Steve John B]

The only problem with Summertime is it's a bit slow - it takes longer to get past the mistakes!

'There Will Never Be Another You' is another possibility. Hmm...

 

[Pyrografix]

+1 for Kev's suggestion of Summertime, or Misty.

Both very expressive tunes with opportunity to elaborate in time.
As a closet (no, not literally!) player, I wish I had your determination and nerve - good luck!

 

[compound]

How about Scarborough Fair? not too slow or fast, and it's easy. One of the first i ever played. See if you can get the dot's.
Best of luck Rob.

 

[Chris]

Looks like another vote for Summertime or Misty

Chris

 

[saxomophone]

Misty and summertime are both good suggestions.
"In a sentimental mood" was one of the first tunes I learned - thats a nice tune.
Other ideas (on a blues theme) - freddie freeloader, tenor madness, worksong.

Good luck!

 

[saxomophone]

Just to add ...
whatever tune you choose to do, get as many different versions as you can find (spotify is great for this) and listen to it over and over again until it drives you mad and is permanantly lodged in your brain. Also sing the tune to yourself over and over.

HTH

 

[zootsaxenberger]

How about Autumn Leaves or The girl from iponema

 

[O.C.V.]

Have a look at Softly As In a Morning Sunrise. Its adaptable to almost any style of playing and fairly easy to memorise.
Best wishes for the performance.
O.C.V.

 

[trimmy]

If you do go for Summertime as said do look on youtube there are plenty of versions to choose from i like this fellas version very smooth...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVG8X5EnB64&feature=related
Iv'e been learning Amazing grace with a bit of impro, not there yet, but can obviously be played without the impro

Well done for having a go after 3 months playing, :welldone and Good luck

Just found this....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ok4t6FlzA

 

[Pure Magic]

Wow, three months of playing and already going to preform. Misty is a great tune. That's my vote, good luck.

 

[Steve John B]

Wow, three months of playing and already going to preform.

I haven't actually done it yet, there's plenty of time to back out! The 9 year old girl who has a recorder lesson before me has done 2 of these concerts before, so I'm being shamed into it as much as anything... ;-)

 

[Steve John B]

Well, tonight's the night. Doing "The Long & Winding Road". Have practiced it a fair bit, with and without teacher on piano. Should be ok apart from the unknown effects of terror! Played it ok the other night when I was absolutely fuming about our kid getting in trouble with the cops, so at least I know an elevated heartrate doesn't stop me...

Any last minute tips? (How drunk do I need to get for example )) )

 

[kevgermany]

Good luck, and don't forget to enjoy yourself! It's not just about getting through.

 

[Taz]

Kev just said it, enjoy yourself. If you don't it'll show through the way you play. I used to wear shades when I first played, it really helps because you can focus your gaze on a non populated area of the room and then you can mentally block out the crowd.
Have a ball and don't forget, we're all right there with you (not in a critical way either!)

 

[saxplorer]

good luck!

 

[Sunray]

You will be fine mate ...

Have a great time Steve ...

Save to booze until afterwards ...

 

[Nick Wyver]

Any last minute tips? (How drunk do I need to get for example )) )

Just make sure you can actually still stand up. Props (like a handy wall) are allowed. Playing flat on your back (a la Clapton) doesn't generally create a favourable impression, although you might be able to work it up as a party piece.

 

[old git]

Bet you made it, Sloop John B.

And you now know that applause made it all worth while.