Re: [Harp-L] Re: Relaxing while playing

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think that in line with this subject, the word anxiety should be  
mentioned. Now if it were 19 years ago and I went to my first spah, I  
could have played. I was better back then. In fact I DID play, and  
every subsequent spah. But only open mic. So what am I talking about?

Well, back when no one knew me, it would have been just like down  
here where I play. No one would know me and I wouldn't be too  
anxious. I have played instruments other than harmonica. But I am  
playing to people who are (basically) NOT musicians, and especially  
not harmonica players.

True story. I actually get sick before I play an audience of  
harmonica players. It was a couple of years ago and I was on stage  
about to start my part of the evening show and just then who comes  
and sits down in the front row right in front of me? Peter the mad  
cat Ruth. Ok, if not for the fact that I had taken a muscle relaxant  
(nerve pill), I would have frozen up solid. But somehow I got through  
my 6-7 tunes. They're the ones on you tube.

The crowd requested an encore. So I butchered through that. They  
asked for ANOTHER...but I was too frazzled. I had to get out of  
there. So when I escape to the hall. who pulls me aside and wants me  
to listen to his rendition of 'Buddy can you spare a dime'. None  
other than Peter the cat in the hat Ruth. First of all I was very  
honored that he would choose ME to hear his new rendition, and  
secondly, he gave me a chance to catch my breath, settle down, and  
let the butterflies fly.

Maybe it's just me but playing for an audience OF harmonica players  
is really the height of anxiety, BUT then again, those people are  
there because they LOVE harmonica, and chances are they aren't going  
to chew your head off. I suppose the thing that scares me is that  
since I am no shrinking violet when it comes to voicing my opinion 
(s), that I just assume that everyone is as blunt as I am.   And  
that's scary.

smokey-joe & the Cafe s  (some say he got Sinatra to do it HIS way)  
( the sun comes up late on Sept. 10...just in case his birthday party  
goes late).