Surreal (or perhaps not so) playing experience

EB5AGV

Yesterday was our church annual Christmas songs festival 💫. There are nine groups of people on the church (what we call Communities) and each one presented two songs. When it was time for us, we went fast to setup the electric guitar amp and my keyboard and amp. But, as our group is large and the space was limited, I had to setup my keyboard on the rear of all the singing people and even the guitar (as the player was also a vocalist, he should be on first row). There were also three more acoustic guitars and some percussion.

So, from the point of view of the crowd (about 500 people), I was literally invisible. And I could not see anyone in the crowd. This is what I mean by surreal.

Well, I played as fine as I could, we got large ovations and, looking later to the public recordings, the keyboard was heard!!! 🥳

So it seems that I can get on-stage visibility or being audible, but not both at same time! 😅 (this is only my third large crowd public playing and, on the other two, I was barely heard)

All in all, a beautiful, unforgettable and humbling experience 🤩

Jose

CyberGene

EB5AGV So, from the point of view of the crowd (about 500 people), I was literally invisible. And I could not see anyone in the crowd. This is what I mean by surreal.

When I started playing in church many years ago, the organ and the piano were in a high gallery where nobody could see me, and similarly I could only see the singers and that helped me with my nervousness. If I had to be down there in front of all the people I would froze from the fear 😀 Not sure how you are with the stage fright and whether that situation made it easier or harder for you though. Some people play better when they can see, and be seen by the audience.

HZPiano

EB5AGV All in all, a beautiful, unforgettable and humbling experience 🤩

You worked the circumstances, regardless of how awkward or maybe less aesthetically pleasing they were. If these are the suitable words.

In any case it comes down to: congratulations, very well done!

Cheers and happy church gigs,

EB5AGV

CyberGene When I started playing in church many years ago, the organ and the piano were in a high gallery where nobody could see me, and similarly I could only see the singers and that helped me with my nervousness. If I had to be down there in front of all the people I would froze from the fear 😀 Not sure how you are with the stage fright and whether that situation made it easier or harder for you though. Some people play better when they can see, and be seen by the audience.

Well, to me the stage fright is a curious thing: when I began playing, I hated anyone close to me, as that was mistake-full playing time for sure!. Then, as I commented a while ago, had a chance to play on the hotel who hosted my daughter's wedding in Germany (I am from Spain). It was just some casual playing on some spare time we had between the ceremony and the banquet. But that was like a clicking-mindset moment. There were people who I didn't even know (the 90% of German guests) and people from Spain who, in most part, had no clue I played. So for about 80% of the people there, it was a surprise. And I could play regardless of them. And I was fully sober! (but really happy 🤩)

Since that magic moment (back in August 2021), I have played on any available piano / keyboard I find, being in a 5-star hotel bar, or a peregrine househall or a balneary lounge… And, since March 2022, I play on a rock/pop band and in July 2022 were my first two concerts with them. No panic, just fun! 🥳

Then it came the chance to play in the church festival… Why not?😅

So, being in front of the crowd or hidden made no big difference in my playing, except that I would have loved to see how public reacted (which, looking at the video recordings, was wonderfully festive)

I am still a very basic player. Have good rythm sense, that helps quite a lot to get into the song groove and add into it. And people seems to enjoy it. So, what can I do but keep learning and playing? 😃

Jose