Had my first live performance today. Any feedback/tips would be appreciated!

[esoxhntr]

That is a great start - keep at it. I humbly suggest you take over more vocal work in the band if you are not the lead vocalist... just sayin'... What is absolutely hilarious to me is that the first time my son did a gig he was playing a black jazz and sang Come Together. Bizarre...

 

[StraffordMike]

Excellent job. Keep it up!

 

[Honch]

I love this video. It raises so many questions.

Are these guys "a band?"
Did they practice?
Who owner the music store?
Was he one of the players?
Did the owner(s) feel this band helped drive their business(away)?
Was the band sober? If sober would they have been better high, drunk or both?
What happened to the rest of the song?
Endless.

Your guess is as good as mine.
Yes, but I think for the OP and everyone else that has a bit too low self esteem and ruminates over their performances, this video is the best recipy, and the only one you need to get back that confidence and self esteem again. It can't get any worse. So, after watching this you can feel VERY confident again, and just go out there and play with the very same conviction you did at the first gig. Whatever conviction that was! FWIW, I don't think the OP should've even be bothered to post about this, it's that good.

I would have no qualms about it if I turned up in that club, as a bypass guest, for a beer, and thought "oh here's a band playing, let's stay and listen to it". For sure, I would've stayed a couple of songs more even. Comparing the OPs inaugural stage performance with this "Butchers Pink Floyd Video" I think the performance of the OPs band is at some level like that world class artists may reach only once in their whole career if they're lucky! IN COMPARISON to that other video... that is.

EDIT: BTW that "band" is for real. they're called HUSH. After one of their young daughters loudly hushed them at rehearsal, thinking they stunk...

 

[DChalo]

Great for a first gig! You'll loosen up and gain skills over time.

Sometimes it's like the drummer is a little behind, or is that caused by the relative position of the mic?

Not sure, but the drummer seemed insanely nervous prior to playing if that had something to do with it.

I think that's awesome esp for your first set. Agree with what others are saying about some backup on that one...but you sound great! That appears to be the Anderson Mill Pub, no? My partner and I have been thinking about working out some material there...sounds great. How is it for an open mic or did you guys do a traditional gig there?

Yes actually, It was Anderson Mill. The open mic nights are awesome. They are very laid back, but at the same time take their stage very seriously. There is an amazing sound system and you can audition for a paid gig.

My best (and probably only useful) advice is not to stress about it. First things first: YOU'RE MORE THAN DECENT AND FROM THIS POINT ON YOU CAN ONLY GET BETTER so take taping/filming yourself lightly. I played for 3 years with this very control freakish singer (the mediocre in denial kind) about a decade ago. He would boss our soundguy into taping our live performance and then he'd jump in the van after a show to immediately watch the camcorder footage in insane scrutiny and paranoia. I know technology is not the same now as it was 30 years back when I started performing live so it's easy for people to get both more narcisistic about it or paranoid about themselves as a result of overdoing the film and watch myself thing. I might have seen live footage of myself for the first time probably after 100+ gigs. Never been particularly paranoid about it, never cared much, even tho' I immediately discovered I mostly hate watching myself, my image, etc. I know many are commenting on the performance itself and I can't say nothing new about it, for me it's OK, my first live performance is not on tape but I bet it wasn't anywhere near as good as yours. TB can't give you confidence, and you don't really need it, you have the chops, enjoy that and don't over-analyze yourself ;-)

I feel what you're saying. I know a lot of people who get depressed after hearing mess ups. I luckily get motivated to practice and get better if I hear a recording where I didn't do so well.

 

[Honch]

Ok then, one tip: DARE to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to make them. They're gone in a split second, live. Don't let mistakes gets you bogged down. I didn't see any mistakes in this video at all. Maybe you yourself did. Barely new beginners shakiness even. Couldn't spot anything severe at all.

Just go on with as you do/did, and eventually it all will COME TOGETHER by itself in the end (oh, sorry couldn't help myself).

 

[DChalo]

Ok then, one tip: DARE to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to make them. They're gone in a split second, live. Don't let mistakes gets you bogged down. I didn't see any mistakes in this video at all. Maybe you yourself did. Barely new beginners shakiness even. Couldn't spot anything severe at all.

Just go on with as you do/did, and eventually it all will COME TOGETHER by itself in the end (oh, sorry couldn't help myself).

Just don't dedicate your whole performance to mistakes, like that Pink Floyd cover you posted XD

 

[andruca]

I know a lot of people who get depressed after hearing mess ups.

Man, I recently commented on another thread I've seen so many screw up live, at different degrees, from Anthony Kiedis, who can't sing in tune to save his life, to Paul McCartney, who regularly screws up, then turns around facing Abe Laboriel Jr. apologizing. Read also people commenting about Geddy Lee screwing up then punching his head with a smile not even trying to hide it. I mean, there's no higher league for me beyond Geddy's or Paul's and they still screw up here and there. Simply because not screwing up is not what they're about ;-)

 

[delta7fred]

You did well, the only real criticism is that it was a little too fast so it sounds rushed.

try sliding from the D to the A before you hit the high F on the bass lick.

Something to work on once you get a bit more confident with the singing, McCartney loved his slides.

 

[kartiste]

+1 to all the positive comments Just one thing, to apply as applicable: strive to play without looking at the neck. That way, you can use your eyes to help direct the audience's attention to where you want it - the other guy's playing, the lead singer, your own playing, whatever. Elsewise, look at the audience and invite them into your reality. Also helps on a dark stage.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

RichardW said:
try sliding from the D to the A before you hit the high F on the bass lick.

delta7fred said:
Something to work on once you get a bit more confident with the singing, McCartney loved his slides.

It's harder to sing while playing the long slide from D on the A string up to A, but give it a try for the parts when you're not singing. Eventually you may be able to do it when you're singing too.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm pretty impressed, D! You did a very good job. A little more time doing it so you get a little more comfortable up on stage, and you'll be handling it in no time!

 

[CoffeeLove]

Awesome first round. Solid bass playing and good voice. I agree with others, keep working the vocals (even if just on your own), not at the expense of your bass chops, but for the sake of your personal marketability. Peace

 

[Honch]

Just don't dedicate your whole performance to mistakes, like that Pink Floyd cover you posted XD

Of course, but that means you actually knows how it's supposed to be played, and then you make a few clams or clunkers. I mean that one. I mean that Pink Floyd cover, they won't ever sound the same at rehearsal no matter how much they practice. They play the wrong notes, and wrong timing all of the time, and can't tell which is which. They can't even tell the right notes from wrong. Or timing. No matter how much they try to hone it.

The most "nervousness" for playing clams or clunkers live, is often that your adrenalin runs havoc with you and speeds you up, and especially with the drummer, that you count in the tune way too fast, and thus haven't practiced at that speed, and it's not until then those mistakes, and clunkers floats up to surface. But for everyone then.

As a band, all in all, you have nothing to fear, and you have nothing - really - to try to fix, and hone in. The small nit picky details, are just such things that will eventually just settle with playing more gigs. Because you yourself as a band, clearly knows where to focus, and on what to hone. And if you were nervuos as almost wetting your pants, that singing voice of yours - well - if that was any nervousness in any of that singing voice of yours, I would be become frightened of your talent, when that voice is sang without any wavy nervousness! You could sweep the floor with most of "Americas got Talent" contestants, if it came to that. I don't think you have to ever ask for anyone for guidance, or what some other people thinks of you. Not here at TB at least.

I can only wish you good luck, and you've definitely come off with a great start!