HOW SCARED WERE YOU DURING YOUR FIRST PUBLIC MUSICAL PERFORMANCE?
Ahhhh!
How scared were "me"? 😅
It is a loooooong story. But as you begin to read, bear it in your mind that me was not scared! 🥺
Never!!! 🥲
THE MUSIC JOURNEY
Few weeks before my 100 level 1st semester exam in January 2014, I became very interested in music and learning musical instruments.
It was a tough ride for me because I had no close/personal teacher. I had met few of my coursemates to put me through the guitar learning process but we only met once in a very huuuuge while.
This type of meetings don't guarantee progress. So, since I wanted to make progress I had to spend time making research from YouTube and many other musical platforms on the web. I joined various musical groups on Facebook and I entered many musical WhatsApp groups.
It was a rough journey for me ooo!
I gave up on several occasions, at a point I switched over to the Keyboard. With the "little" knowledge I garnered on my earlier journey, learning the Keyboard began to make some things clearer.
I began with learning how to sight read/play sheet music. After battling with it, I paused for a while and learnt how to play Keyboard by ear/solfa notations.
It took me only one week and I began playing few songs with my major chords. Later on I started using minor chords to accompany and all.
With time I began playing in the small Chapel for evening Mass. When my hands grew stronger on the Keyboard, I was allowed to play few songs for Sunday Masses.
Little by little, I started claiming "village champion" and forming "best player in the world" 😌
MY FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Little did I know that playing in the Chapel where few persons attended evening Masses and in the big Church where the Keyboardist stay by the side with the choir, isn't the same as playing in an outdoor space where you are at the spotlight.
Well, a friend of mine was invited for a Cantata program (Choral performance) which was scheduled to hold on the 28th of May 2022, sorry 2016.
He is a saxophonist and a singer as well. Prior to this time, we had regular practice with the Sax and Keyboard, just for fun. But this time around he told me that we were going for an outdoor performance together.
I accepted and I was really happy.
He informed me barely 2 or 3 weeks before the event, and we had short time to practice.
He chose the Latin Song "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert. And I'll have to focus on doing arpeggios with my chords while he plays the melody.
Due to shortness of the time, I couldn't start learning the original sheet music of the song. So what I did was that I looked into each chords of the song and tried to arpegiate in my own way, somehow similar to the main song.
It was a short time to practice, but I had no choice.
THE D-DAY
Of all days, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed on that very day.
Village people 😭
I had a lecture in the morning before going for the program later in the evening (4pm). The lecturer fixed the class on a Saturday.
I decided to skip lectures for just that day so that i can prepare very well for the program.
Then, I saw a message in the class WhatsApp group that an impromptu test was ongoing.
In seven minutes I brushed my teeth, poured water on my face (half bathing 😅) and got to the class. I think the superhero FLASH learnt something new from me on that day because my speed was.... undescribable. 😅
After the test, I remembered that my clothes were not ironed. I had to run back to my room. I waited for electricity for hours, there was none. Then I decided to go to a nearby Laundry Shop. I paid for it and it was done immediately .
I spent much time in the rest room because I know that in occasions like this, you MUST feel the need to relieve yourself (minor and sometimes major) 😅😅 for those that understand me.
THOU SHALL NOT LOOK UP 🤣
I went earlier before the program started to rehearse, but my friend Emmanuel (Emmy sax) wasn't around. So I kept rehearsing alone.
He came when it was almost time for our performance. I continued claiming strong man.
When they announced, lets welcome Emmysax and Ksam on the stage.
O boy!!!
I wanted to go to the toilet again
I was thirsty
I wanted to practice once more
I wanted to pour water on my head
I asked them if they could bring the Keyboard down because it was at the spotlight 🙆♂️
Ahhhhhh!
I was so confused
But I wasn't scared 😭
Believe Me!!! 🥺
Emmysax calmed me down and we walked to the stage.
Well!
As I got the the stage.... the Lord gave me a new commandment!
THOU SHALL NOT LOOK UP! ✝️😇
I obeyed this divine inspiration faithfully 🤣🤣🤣
I think all through the presentation, I only looked up twice 😅
I made some errors, my hands were shaking oooo, but I managed.
At the end, I was so happy because it turned out fine. There I met @chrismario and @magicfingerz Great men 🙌
Lucky enough, I still have the video although it is a bit blurry. However I'll be waiting for your reaction, and if possible you can share your experience. 😁
Your content has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for new Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more
Thank you for the support 🙏
During my first presentation, I was petrified! I was playing my guitar and singing. The problem was that I keep singing but didn't change the accords on my guitar. You can imagine how it went!
!BEATCZ
!CCC
Hahahaha
I can imagine!
Music requires total concentration and division of mind/attention.
When you're playing the guitar and singing: you are concentrating on the chords you're playing; the Chord progression and rhythm as well.
At the same time you're conscious of your voice, how you sing, singing to the rhythm and making them sync.
As a beginner it won't be easy to combine these tasks in one presentation 😅
But with time, things get better
I can imagine how the audience will feel 😃
Except if they know you're a beginner... they'll encourage you. Well, others will mock you 😅
But, then, they are helpful and they help you grow.
Thank you for taking out time to read my post.
Yes, very true! That happened to me about 30 years ago! Things got better eventually. Now I can play guitar and other instruments and sing while playing. Well, except when I'm playing the harmonica and saxophone. 😁
Thanks for sharing!
Oh my God! See how fast time fly. I still remember that day like it was yesterday 😂
😂😂 As a beginner, this commandment saved lives ooo and avoided some accidents ooo
But for really you Don dey play like pro as at 2016. Omo!! Schubert need to learn work from you abeg!
My brother!
When I was writing the post, mhen I realised that time doesn't wait for anybody. That's why it's important to be good, do good and touch lives while it lasts.
I can still remember it like yesterday ooo.
Honestly, my brother!
If I were not in the state I find myself, I would have become a music pro by now. But, it is well!
Hahah, yes, I was waiting for that. You were so elegant in that photo @ksam 😎
Oh, nooooooooooooooo. We say we stand up on the left leg, or something similar would be the translation to English, but I am sure it means the same.
well, that's important you managed to play at the end :))
This was a very nice story told in a funny way, I really like it :))
Well done, and thank you for sharing your experience with us in the Q-inspired community 😇
At that stage of my life I didn't fancy corporate wears. I preferred Jeans with Polo, or other casual wears. When he told me that we were going to dress up this way, I wasn't happy. In fact, I neither liked the outfit, nor the pictures 😅
Well nowadays I've grown to love corporate wears, only for formal occasions or occasions where it is needed. However, I still prefer putting on casual wears or "corporate" Native wears which we call Senator dressing. (Pictures below)
😃
The experience is common among all humans irrespective of your language and Tribe. However, there's also need to express this experience... hence every Tribe will express theirs in the most suitable way. When you collate all the different expressions from all the different tribes/languages in the world, you'll find the uniqueness in each.
Appreciating every culture and language will make one open to learning them and a better person as well.
I appreciate the love and support, and thank you for taking out time to read my post 🥰
Facing a huge audience for the first time can be really scary oo, the day I faced audience with my singing group for the first time, I sweat even when cold dey, hahaha.
But @ksam so all the one when you dey make me dey laugh my Belle scatter so, you did this well abi?
My friend you need spanking, come here
You just made me laugh away my sorrow, haha 😂😂.
You did really well, your friend too.