Crashed and burned AND lived to tell about it.

[David Ice]

If you’re not used to ensemble playing, the “sound pressure” of hearing other instruments live and loud near you can make your brain (and fingers!) freeze!! You’re not alone in this. I remember one harpist saying to me, “All it takes is one moving plaid shirt in the first violins and you’re toast!”–AND SHE WAS RIGHT! It’s all very overwhelming until you just calm down and get used to it. So don’t beat up on yourself! You do get used to it. I always try to play with a recording, if at all possible….you learn your entrances and can listen to what else is happening. That way there are no surprises when you show up at rehearsal and had no idea you were solo–or tutti with the bassoons or whatever. Don’t give up….you do get used to it, and it’s a real thrill to be in the middle of such a wall of sound!

[Sylvia]

Kay, whatever happened to your band career? Did you decide to go again?

[kay-lister]

Hi Sylvia,

You know, I have had that whole experience eat at me now and then for a year. Yes, it was this time last year that we were prepping for the St Patricks Day event where my fingers and brain failed to connect.

What REALLY bothers me is how much I DIDN’T like it the night of the preformance, and not just the fact that I totally screwed up. What happened to me very first thing, was that instead of being off to the side where I had been placed at MULTIPLE rehersals, I was suddenly put right in the middle of the band. I think a couple of french horns were on one side, and I can’t remember what was on the other. The drums/rhythm instruments were directly behind me. The WHOLE thing just sounded very different to me even before it was my turn to jump in.

SO, to answer your question, no, I didn’t go back. Part of me wishes I had, but a bigger part is glad I didn’t. I guess I feel like I failed myself more than anything and I’m NOT one that gives up and I think THAT bothers me as well. I just wish the whole experience had been a little better.

I would like to play with others, but maybe a smaller group – 3 or 4 other instruments perhaps. I have played in a Praise and Worship band for several years as well as playing with other harpists and it’s all been great. I really do quite well playing with others and I am good at “Feeling” how others are expressing the music and can fall right into place that way.

I duno 😉 guess the band just wasn’t my nitch – hmmmmm . . .sigh . . . .

Kay

[Author]

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