The Global Tour begins...

Okay, here goes (deep breath) ...

Me, my husband and a couple of mates have formed a band (The Bell Street Blues) and are playing our very first gig on Friday 23 May at 9pm. The venue is The Globe PH in Swanage, Dorset, and we'll be playing what we think is a great selection of R&B tunes from 50s and 60s.

It is accurate to say that we are of, ahem, mature years (in fact I reduce the average age to 58) and we've never done anything like this before. Needless to say, I'm pretty nervous having only started learning sax relatively recently, but if it goes well, we will be seeking out other venues called The Globe, so we can continue the global tour!

So, if any of you are near to sunny Swanage on 23rd May and fancy a laugh, er I mean, would like to hear some quality music, we'd love to see you. And if you can't stand the music, the beer's excellent! :cheers:

In the meantime, if any of you more experienced players have got any useful tips for performing in public, they would be much appreciated. I'm going to make sure I remain sober until the gig is finished in case anyone suggests otherwise!😉
 

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That's great news.

Swanage is a great place - I hope to be back there for the jazz festival in July. It's like being back in the 50s or 60s, so your genre of music should be bang up to date for them !

My only tip for performing is to make sure that you interact with the audience and with the rest of the band. Involve the punters in the music, even if there are only a few of them there. That doesn't mean trying to be a stand-up comedian or giving boring information about each song you play. Just recognising they are there, eye contact, not hiding behind any music stands, a bit of chat etc. If the people in the band look like they are having a good time, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for the punters. And if anything does go wrong, either cover it up or have a laugh about it.

Good luck

Rhys
 
That's great news.

Swanage is a great place - I hope to be back there for the jazz festival in July. It's like being back in the 50s or 60s, so your genre of music should be bang up to date for them !

My only tip for performing is to make sure that you interact with the audience and with the rest of the band. Involve the punters in the music, even if there are only a few of them there. That doesn't mean trying to be a stand-up comedian or giving boring information about each song you play. Just recognising they are there, eye contact, not hiding behind any music stands, a bit of chat etc. If the people in the band look like they are having a good time, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for the punters. And if anything does go wrong, either cover it up or have a laugh about it.

Good luck

Rhys
Thanks Rhys - that's really helpful advice. I'll look out for you at the Jazz festival!
 
Rhys is right.

Don't just stand there if you are not actually playing. Eye contact and acknowledgement with the audience and the rest of the band, whisper conversations and, mouthing, miming and signalling to other band members, sharing a joke or funny comment unheard by the audience. Stage presence...

The band has to look relaxed and enjoying itself.

Watching Dizzy Gillespie is educational, and not just when he was emceeing between numbers.
 
Well done Amanda, keep us updated.

My only tip for performing is to make sure that you interact with the audience and with the rest of the band.

My tip on the subject is: do not tell the following joke.

A man in a fast food.
"Hello, I would like a **** burger"
"With onions, Sir?"
"No thanks; onions give me bad breath"


Apparently the audience does not find it funny.
 

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