Monday, August 15, 2011

Star of the County Down...sort of.

I think I'm going to start putting these music posts up on occasion--not normally this frequently, but now and again--primarily as a means of working on the stage fright I mentioned. Even faced with a microphone, I go dry-mouthed, so this is a good exercise: just recording them and letting them hang out there all public-like.

I can hear the nerves in this one, big time, but I'm done trying for the perfect take. It's an instrumental fingerstyle arrangement I did of an Irish song called Star of the County Down, which is often done in a more march-like 4/4 version...but this was the way I first learned it.

I swear, I *can* play in keys other than A minor. Honest, I can!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely version. I used to sing this a long time ago and your more lyrical tempo would have been better than the typical one.

Please stay with your efforts and posts. I'm enjoying them,

JeffTheBear

Cameron said...

The secret to overcoming stage-fright truly IS performing as much as possible, either for yourself with recording, or playing in front of others.

Then it becomes more comfortable and familiar. But do rest assured that even the most experienced of performers get "nervous", but they learn how to manage it by sheer repetition. You can use this extra energy to your advantage, rather than your disadvantage.

This piece is lovely. I particularly like the change-up of rhythm towards the end, where you stop arpeggiating for a moment. Very nicely done.

Elizabeth H. said...

I just wish my particular manifestation of nerves wasn't shaking uncontrollably! There are few things *less* compatible with musical performance.

Thank you for the advice and encouragement!

Anonymous said...

Wish I could offer a suggestion. My stage fright consisted of near paralysis. My face became so pale it looked like I was wearing lipstick. Didn't matter if it was an audience of 5 or 5,000. But once the curtain went up or I hit the first chord the fear vanished. I never could explain it.

Repetition made some of the small coffee house venues easier. Recitals and grand opera never got easier.

I haven't performed publicly in 35 years. God knows what would happen if I tried it again.

Good luck and don't give up. Some performances are among my fondest memories.

JeffTheBear