An Opportunity.

[MONKEY050]

Today we had a liturgy day at school. At the end, our 'music director', who is a teacher at the school made an announcement to this effect:
"Just a quick announcement, we'd like to fill in the ranks here for the band. We'd appreciate if someone could play bass or percussion, for example, so see me in Room 104 at some time. Thank you."

I talked to him right after seeing a couple seniors approaching. I talked to him, and told him that since I play guitar in my small rock band, and am therefore capable of bass, and also play keyboard, that I'd enjoy playing the music for liturgies with them. They have a pianist already, but he said to a couple of the others it'd be pretty neat to have some kind of other keyboard sound as well as the piano. It would be fun, help me get over my stage fright and stuff. If I end up playing, I might end up playing keyboard and one of the seniors playing bass, because I've seen one of them at a show at my school playing with his local band.

So anyways, now here's what this thread is for. Have you gotten a chance to perform in a small private venue or similar, with your band or as an extra with another band? If you're in a touring band, you could even describe shows and clubs you've played in.

Keep on rockin.

Edit: Thanks for asking in IRC, geez. This isn't just for rock bands, it's for any kind of musical opportunity you've had. Sorry for the kung-fusion.

[DJandiViper]

Hi matey.

Nice to see some musicians getting gigs.

Now my experience is a bit different, as I am a DJ. HOWEVER I can tell you, that when you have a crowd of people dancing and screaming at you as you perform your best stuff, it's possibly the best feeling you can imagine. I have done a fair few club nights in my time, and I wouldn't give it up for the world!!

Hope you get lucky!

Andi

[MONKEY050]

Sounds cool, Viper.

Anybody else have musical opportunities they'd like to share? I don't see how not.

[faragher]

Have played bass with a number of bands. The most memorable for me was 'auditioning' with a bunch of guys who did live Dub (back in the early 90's). We got stoned. Very, very stoned. When they saw I could still hold the bass steady despite many layers of echo and with the percussion dropped out, I got the gig.

I have also played violin for a trad folk outfit - mainly for (oh the shame) morris dancers. My defence is that this is a fine old english tradition. It was fun though.

[RobW]

I've always wanted to be in a good band with people with similar musical interests and views on this hellish earth, but all I have now is me and a bassist who lives 10 miles away to the east.

Lately we came accross a guitar player, but he happens to live 10 miles to the west of me, so getting round to doing stuff would be a serious problem. So all I can say is congrats and good luck in the future.

[carpefula]

I used to sing in a small jazz group and we did a couple of shows..it was nerve wracking but i enjoyed it immensley!

After that broke up due to two of the guys going to uni i just did some acoustic sessions with a friend of mine with his guitar in a few bars.

I really enjoyed it... especially after i got over the nerves!

\o/

[Krytom]

I have played the tuba in loads of really cool places, including the Symphony Hall in Birmingham, The Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. Last time in the Albert hall I did a tuba solo in front of a full house, not a serious one mind you, it was a bit of a joke. My next gig is going to be in the Albert Hall for the School's Prom and I'm playing as guest tuba with Aylesbury Music Centre Dance Band, the best youth jazz band in Britain, possibly even Europe. I can't wait! :)

I've done so many concerts I can't remember how many. Stage fright is a thing of the past for me. I love an audience now. My best concerts have been the ones in the places mentioned above, however I also did a really good bass guitar solo at an Orchestral Course concert in Guernsey (channel island). I was a joint winner of the intermediate award on the course, probably because I worked trememdously hard, playing the tuba and the bass with pleanty of energy and skill. I'd be telling a lie if I said I was really good at the bass. I'm not really good, but since I have only been playing since last October and have been teacing myself I think I'm doing pretty well. My tuba teacher said I have picked up the right style on the bass, which apparently is the hard part.

[budrick]

I used to learn violin at school, and played in the school orchestra so I had a few performances both solo and with the rest of the orchestra then. I also made my way to ABRSM Grade 3 in piano outside school, and every year there was a ceremony for the people who went up a grade in their instrument that year, at which many students would play. I played twice.

A friend of mine plays for a church band, and wanted to borrow my guitar and amp one time. I went along for the ride, and ended up playing rhythm.

Shortly after that I ended up in a slightly silly teenage rock band. We never played any real gigs, but had open practises and a few people would occasionally come and watch.

Now I'm involved in the filk scene, and have performed a few times in front of 50 people or more thanks to that. I'm still really nervous when playing, and haven't been able to bring myself to sing yet but it's a lot of fun :)

EDIT:
http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/1921/pict02774vc.th.jpg (http://img351.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict02774vc.jpg)
I'm in the black shirt

[MONKEY050]

Ah! I forgot! Thanks for reminding me budrick.

If you could, feel free to post pictures of your great musical opportunities!

As for me, today I talked to the teacher\music director again and gave him information on a couple basses and a keyboard that the school could buy. I'm still waiting to see what's going on though. I'll keep you guys informed. :) I'm pretty convinced that I'm going to end up playing keyboard, although bass would be fun too. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Beef Magic]

I played guitar at the end of school assembly. I messed up quite badly but we couldn't soundcheck so no one could hear us. At least I had another amazing guitarist to cover my back.

[Krytom]

This is my Brass Band's performance at the National Festival of Music for Youth in the Royal Festival Hall two years ago:

The Downfall of Lucifer (http://http://www.jeremyhodge.supanet.com/lucifer.mp3)

It was a very difficult piece, no-one could play it perfectly. Probably why we didn't get any of the commendations. Ah well, still the final. :)

[MONKEY050]

You accidentally put two protocols in it.

http://www.jeremyhodge.supanet.com/lucifer.mp3

Fixed