Friday, October 03, 2003
Whew, is it getting cold! Last night it hit 33 degrees here. The leaves are starting to turn, and it doesn't get above 70 during the day. I guess autumn is really here. Although it's refreshing to have the seasons change, the one I tend to favor most is Summer. Everyone goes inside in the Winter, the streets are empty, and impromtu neighborly conversations are null, no one wants to stand out in the cold! Autumn stands a close second, because everyone is trying to stay out as long as they can before winter hits :) Also, the leaves are nice. I know I don't appreciate them quite as much as I should. Living in New England, it has just becomes normalcy, another thing that nappens before winter. I remember the incredulous feeling I had as a 10 year old, hearing our friends from Texas were coming JUST to see the leaves :)
Most of you who have come to hear us sing have a pretty good idea of what goes on during a concert, provided you were there while we set up. It takes us about 1/2-1 hour to set up, and give the final sound check. Normally we don't have any problems with the equipment, or forget things, but there are exceptions. Among the things we've forgotten in the past is our banjo, the power supply for the keyboard, and all of our music. Also, our equipment has simply ceased to work right before a concert! In case of such an event, we're usually called apon to make a part, play from memory, or just do without. I can't recall a time when we've had to cancel a concert on the spot though, dad does a great job of somehow finding exactly what we need to make it work.
As for the concert itself, it can be such a varied experience, depending on how our day has gone, what type of audience we have (smiling/non-smiling :) what music we are doing, etc, etc. Even our concerts at the mall (where we do two concerts on a weekend, same material, same place) don't turn out the same. Still, usually after the concert, everyone relaxes and most of the 'problems' encountered during the concert are forgotten. Most of those problems tuen out to be things that are really small, but while performing can seem bigger than they are. So, you've really got to keep that in mind, when little things bother you, just let them go. Those little things can be anything from someone being out of tune, to someone with a-less-than-positive-attitude remarking about your performance. It can also be a personal struggle, such as not having practiced enough beforehand and making mistakes.
So.....enough about the concert....you'll hear about on of the best parts next!!!!!
(the trip home!)
Most of you who have come to hear us sing have a pretty good idea of what goes on during a concert, provided you were there while we set up. It takes us about 1/2-1 hour to set up, and give the final sound check. Normally we don't have any problems with the equipment, or forget things, but there are exceptions. Among the things we've forgotten in the past is our banjo, the power supply for the keyboard, and all of our music. Also, our equipment has simply ceased to work right before a concert! In case of such an event, we're usually called apon to make a part, play from memory, or just do without. I can't recall a time when we've had to cancel a concert on the spot though, dad does a great job of somehow finding exactly what we need to make it work.
As for the concert itself, it can be such a varied experience, depending on how our day has gone, what type of audience we have (smiling/non-smiling :) what music we are doing, etc, etc. Even our concerts at the mall (where we do two concerts on a weekend, same material, same place) don't turn out the same. Still, usually after the concert, everyone relaxes and most of the 'problems' encountered during the concert are forgotten. Most of those problems tuen out to be things that are really small, but while performing can seem bigger than they are. So, you've really got to keep that in mind, when little things bother you, just let them go. Those little things can be anything from someone being out of tune, to someone with a-less-than-positive-attitude remarking about your performance. It can also be a personal struggle, such as not having practiced enough beforehand and making mistakes.
So.....enough about the concert....you'll hear about on of the best parts next!!!!!
(the trip home!)
