the Musician’s Ego
I should admit up front that I had to learn this myself, but I did–it’s OK to NOT be the center of attention…I was onstage with a bunch of guys–drums, bass, harp, keys? another guitar, tenor sax and trumpet…MY moment in the Sun (as lead vocalist at least) was the middle song (of 3) and I milked it for all it was worth WITHOUT taking a solo of my own…and I was nearly invisible in the 3rd one…No, I don’t want a medal, I’m just sayin’…Whereas even after a harp player was politely asked to “lay out” he stayed onstage and grabbed a solo, and he had just finished HIS three songs…I talked to the “band leader” afterwards and while he wasn’t too happy, he said it was just easier to “roll with it” rather than make a scene…It would be fairly easy for me (or anyone else I guess) to say “I didn’t drive 20+ miles just to sit and watch…” but that’s the way it is, take it or leave it…I also think that when onstage with any group of players, it’s OK to tell them by title what song they’re about to play, what key it’s in, and (out loud) COUNT IT IN…a “trainwreck” is a little less likely if these three basic rules are followed IMO…but ultimately, I had fun, Dinner was nice…the trip home was way easier than the trip to the place–we had to take an alternate route and got a tad lost…As for the Thursday night O.M. I dunno if I’m going…again, *I* think it’s the Human element that occaisionally complicates matters…such is Life…
ADDENDUM–I think it’s essential to be confident, but keep it to yerself…a friend of mine sez people won’t take the time to compliment ya if they don’t mean it…but I totally disagree…and sometimes I DO question my ability–if I’m so good at this Music stuff why ain’t I doing more of it, and getting paid for it, like some of my “friends”, some of whom don’t seem to be nearly as talented as me (YIKES)…