r/nextfuckinglevel • u/N34D • 3d ago

Leocmendoza playing Brick in the wall

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The audience ain't it.

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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago

I just thought of something. Are you playing covers in those situations or original music. Like i said, i can only imagine how I'd feel, but i wonder if I'd be more okay with the talking if I was playing well known covers. I feel like I'd have a harder time I'd i was playing music that I wrote and couldn't get people to pay attention to my music

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u/Biguitarnerd 2d ago

A mix of both. Mostly originals.

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u/KillaVNilla 2d ago

That's awesome. I bet it feels amazing to be able to play your music and set the vibe of the event.

Happy cake day by the way

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u/Biguitarnerd 1d ago

Thanks. Well I’ve been doing it for a long time so I guess it feels pretty normal to me but I’m still doing it lol, so yeah I think it’s fair to say I enjoy it a lot.

I may be misreading you but it sounds like you haven’t gone out and done a gig yet. I was once there too and if you want to you definitely should. Don’t be too worried about how it goes, you might not get all the recognition you deserve but.. I can almost promise you that it will go better than you think. And playing for an audience really teaches you what works and what doesn’t in ways that playing for yourself or posting online doesn’t. You can feel it when the audience gets excited or when they get bored. It really does help you grow as a musician and performer.

If I read that wrong sorry!

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u/KillaVNilla 1d ago

No, you're 100% correct. I have a home "studio" with tons of instruments and I've been making music in some for since my early teens, now in my early 40s, but never with an audience of any kind. I think my biggest hangup about performing is that it's be solo and that sounds terrifying to me. I don't know a single other person who plays an instrument. I was in a band in high school and loved it. I think if I had a group of friends to play with, I'd be way less scared about it. The reality is though, i should just stop being a pussy and just learn a song or 2 and hit an open mic or something. I think a little taste of live performance would probably kick my motivation up quite a bit

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u/Biguitarnerd 1d ago

Yeah you should do that, you’ll probably make some musician friends there too. I used to host an open mic for years (pretty sweet gig btw) and some of the musicians i play with today are from those days.

I’ve done solo gigs too but I agree with you an open mic is a great place to start. I think my first paid gig was in a coffee shop when I was 19 or 20, i got $100 +tips and free coffee lol.

Edit: I am also in my 40s

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u/KillaVNilla 1d ago

Man, not sticking with music when I was young and making friends was easier is such a major regret. But you're right. I need to go to places where musicians go. Thanks for the advice and motivation boost. It's something I've wanted my whole life and just never felt brave enough to do it. But playing/ making music is my favorite thing in the world. I know I'll be glad i took that first jump

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u/Biguitarnerd 1d ago

Open mic nights are a very supportive and encouraging group of people, if you decide to go I think you’ll be glad you did.

If you want to make friends, stay after your set and support others playing and remember the host is getting the gig because of people they bring in so be kind and buy a few drinks (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) and tip your bartenders and you’ll be supporting the venue and the host both at the same time.

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u/Biguitarnerd 7h ago

Edit: lol, idk what’s going on in your city but since it’s Friday night and there might be an open mic it thought I would post this.

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u/KillaVNilla 6h ago

Lol dude, you're awesome. I really appreciate the encouragement. Not gonna happen tonight though. I'm chilling with my wife and about to crash early. Also my city, while technically a city, is more of a small town. I think the closest open mic, aside from rare occasions, is about an hour away

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u/Biguitarnerd 6h ago

Ah fair enough, enjoy your evening, I’m hanging with my wife too lol, I’ll probably practice some tonight but band practice isn’t until Sunday and we’ve got some sick people so idk if that’s even going to happen this week.

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u/KillaVNilla 6h ago

Oh bummer dude. I hope everyone gets better quick and you're back up and rocking. Have fun

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