How many of you actively gig/sing in public?

Wurly · 07-12-2011 7:54pm #1

Happy Wednesday folks.

Just wondering how many of you are actively gigging at the moment or do some sort of singing in public?

I have some friends who absolutely adore singing but never want to be part of a band or indeed perform in front of anyone. i used to be the same until I started getting involved in Karaoke in my teens. A love of performing was born and then I started getting involved in bands etc. For me, nothing beats the thrill of doing a really good gig.

Some singers though are just content to sing for themselves. Some even get coaching for this purpose and never get heard by anyone else.

So - do you sing in public or private? Or a birra both?:)

wet-paint · 12-12-2011 1:10pm

Mostly public, everything from weddings and medieval banquets, to busking on the street, barbershop quartets, restaurant background entertainment and choirs and solo gigs in requiem masses.
Good craic.

Wurly wrote: »

Happy Wednesday folks.

Just wondering how many of you are actively gigging at the moment or do some sort of singing in public?

I have some friends who absolutely adore singing but never want to be part of a band or indeed perform in front of anyone. i used to be the same until I started getting involved in Karaoke in my teens. A love of performing was born and then I started getting involved in bands etc. For me, nothing beats the thrill of doing a really good gig.

Some singers though are just content to sing for themselves. Some even get coaching for this purpose and never get heard by anyone else.

So - do you sing in public or private? Or a birra both?:)

Wurly · 12-12-2011 5:45pm

Barbershop quartet?? EPIC. That's amazing.

wet-paint · 12-12-2011 6:17pm

Whatever pays the bills.

Fi H · 13-12-2011 9:06pm

Interesting question! I've recently started writing my own songs & love singing but absolutely go to pieces when i try to sing in public! that even goes for karaoke unless i have had about 10 pints at which stage my nerves are grand but i'm incapable of singing

Any tips on public singing would be greatfully appreciated!

wet-paint · 13-12-2011 9:20pm

Practice was the only thing that got me over it, as well as the gradual realisation that unless you're busking, people there are there to hear you, and are already predisposed to liking what you do, it's a positive atmosphere. Go out on stage with the mind set that you're there to give the audience a good show, they're not there to critique you, but to be impressed by you.

Also, joining a choir means that all of the emphasis is not on you, so it gives you a stepping stone to getting over performance nerves.

Wurly · 15-12-2011 1:17pm

I started in musical societies. So I got used to using my body, getting into the song character wise and singing in groups. Highly recommended.

metaoblivia · 13-02-2012 6:53pm

I do sing in public sometimes. For a while, I was involved in a vocal ensemble, but then I moved away. I was disappointed because I love performing in ensembles and I really enjoyed the music selection. Recently, I performed in a Christmas show, sang in the pre-show ensemble and did a few solos throughout the show. And last October, I did possibly my biggest performance ever at the Orpheum Theatre in LA (there were 1700 people in attendance, I think). I sang in a trio and the video is actually up on youtube (and had something like 60,000 views, eek!).

Lady Chuckles · 06-03-2012 2:30pm

I sing in public in choirs a few times per year

It's been a while since I did a solo performance. I'd like to do it again sometime (mainly to conquer what ever stage fright is still there) but I'm happy out where I am

salex · 01-07-2012 5:45pm

I sing in public.
I love feedback energy from audience.
It is great filling.

Press_Start · 05-08-2012 3:15pm

I openly sing in bands and an acoustic duo.

I'm studying voice in music in college. I find it a great way to get the best out of your vocals, because i think if you can stand up and sing in a mediocre sound quality room in front of people you don't know and sing well, it can take the edge off of exams and more relaxed situations.

In terms of performing i can;t get enough of it. I'd do a gig every night if i could. nothing beats the feeling of people singing along with you and bouncing off the energy of the audience/ crowd. Especially if you wrote the song, and people are singing it afterwards!!
For me though the nicest , maybe not the best, but the most all round nicest part is the immediate aftermath of either a song or a gig. When people show you what they thought, be it polite clapping, rapturous applause, or just some kind words after the gig itself. It lets me know that people give enough of a toss to actually give me feedback, and if they enjoyed it, what they enjoyed about it, and if they didnt, why not? I accept criticism as long as it is constructive, and not "You're Sh*t Boi"

shefellover93 · 18-08-2012 2:40am

Doing a bitta busking, my first experience of actually singing to people (Drums are my first instrument) and I spose when people give you their hard earned cash it's a nice confidence booster

That being said I wouldn't give myself money just cause I always hear my little mistakes and I hate my voice when I sing :pac:

18-09-2012 6:23pm

Fi H wrote: »

Interesting question! I've recently started writing my own songs & love singing but absolutely go to pieces when i try to sing in public! that even goes for karaoke unless i have had about 10 pints at which stage my nerves are grand but i'm incapable of singing

Any tips on public singing would be greatfully appreciated!

Well for starters, 10 pints is far too much for performing. Try and limit it to an imperial gallon (8 pints). However, a matinee involving an audience of children is a different matter, here it is highly recommended that you 'go hard' on the self-medication, a gallon and a half (12 pints) plus a couple of 'liveners' BEFORE the interval. Try and gauge how you feel whilst you're having your bag of crisps (large) during the break, if you can feel anything at all you might need a top-up, don't go mad, a couple of large vodkas and a glass of sherry should suffice. Then, walk back out on stage (or at least try and walk) and give 'em hell. The best of luck with your career!!!

G.K. · 19-09-2012 7:12pm

I'm part of an acapella group sining at the Albert Hall on November the 12th. I also sing with that group in other concerts and have played singing parts on stage as well (And I will be again in Les Mis come April).

Despite trumpet being my first instrument I find I have fewer confidence issues while singing.

Second and Sebring · 06-11-2012 8:02am

I sing in public in a band. I've mostly stuck to backin' vocals till recently when I became a lead vocalist but nothin' beats that rockstar feelin' of singin' in the shower.:L

Niamho! · 19-12-2012 9:05pm

I sing at weddings mostly. Every other party I go to I nearly always end up singing too but not sure if that counts.

i used to turn down every opportunity to sing in public because of my nerves but now i'm fine. I love it, and I don't have to be asked twice now.

People are always telling me i'm wasted and I should be doing something, and when they ask me why i'm not I can't really say for sure. I'm confident, but i'm not really confident in putting myself out there I think... I don't know!

wet-paint · 19-12-2012 9:15pm

Currently printing off a ream of material to bring to America in a week, I'm off on a six month tour of the States singing in a quartet.

Gigiddy.

Wurly · 19-12-2012 9:18pm

wet-paint wrote: »

Currently printing off a ream of material to bring to America in a week, I'm off on a six month tour of the States singing in a quartet.

Gigiddy.

WOW - that's fantastic. Well done you!;)

Aurongroove · 30-12-2012 7:06pm

christmas is a very busy time for singers. I have a band, a folk harmony group, a choir and there's always sessions going on. I do the odd bit of classical singing too. weddings ans such.

G.K. · 30-12-2012 8:16pm

I'm going to be involved a few weddings soon, the first ones I've done, should be good.

Got Les Mis, National Festival of Music and a few school gigs lined up already for 2013.

Wish I hadn't already done the Albert Hall gig, that was a great experience.

G.K. · 25-01-2013 8:23pm

Sang with the Swingle Singers today.

Wurly · 25-01-2013 8:38pm

Wuhoo - happy Friday to you.

29-01-2013 10:32am

G.K. wrote: »

Sang with the Swingle Singers today.

Was it all 'a capella'?

G.K. · 05-02-2013 11:02pm

Yeah.

11-02-2013 11:02am

G.K. wrote: »

Yeah.

Great stuff.
Barbershop, Doo-Wop (A Cappella), Choral Singing, IMO there's nothing purer than the sound of unaccompanied human voices in sweet harmony.
By the way, I say this as a ham-fisted guitarist and pianist!

harmony24 · 13-02-2013 10:35pm

hey!

me myself i have been in a few bands. i absolutly love singing, but ive two little boys now so i have to focus on them at the mo, but i hope to get back into the gigs when they get older, why do you ask anyways? :P

G.K. · 14-02-2013 11:33pm

Sang solo in public for the first time.

Sang Cheek to Cheek by Irving Berlin.

14-02-2013 11:35pm

Doing a feis in a month
erk

16-02-2013 12:54am

G.K. wrote: »

Sang solo in public for the first time.

Sang Cheek to Cheek by Irving Berlin.

bluewolf wrote: »

Doing a feis in a month
erk

Irving Berlin probably the greatest lyricist of them all, with Stephen Sondheim and Sammy Cahn running him close.
"Let's Face The Music And Dance" is my particular favourite.

bluewolf,
Feis!?!...... double erk!
There may be trouble ahead......

16-02-2013 3:07pm

Yeah, doing the Lieder one
start big :eek::p

Loumeg · 01-06-2013 1:31pm

I too have never been brave enough to sing in public, I would get a real feeling of absolute horror being asked to sing at family do's especially when a close family member threatens me to do it ha, but then once I would sing the response from everyone would feel so electric that I would want to go again. My biggest problem is that i cannot sing once i have had a drink or two, my voice goes all hoarse it is so annoying.

I was asked to sing at my fathers wedding recently and none of my father's side knew that I could sing and the response was so overwhelming I managed to steal the spotlight.

Since my sister put the video on FB I have now been asked to do two other weddings and NOW IM ****TING IT ha!!! Need to get lessons

G.K. · 04-06-2013 10:17pm

^^Good job!

I've done a couple of weddings recently as well. Only as part of a group though, not solo.

My a-capella group are also appearing at a major international festival in July and I've a solo in one song of our set, it's going to be brilliant.

06-06-2013 11:16am

Good work. I'd love to do weddings when I have a bit more training behind me, I think I'd have to start off doing family/friend ones for experience first though...
Is that how everyone starts doing them?

26-06-2013 1:02pm

bluewolf wrote: »

Good work. I'd love to do weddings when I have a bit more training behind me, I think I'd have to start off doing family/friend ones for experience first though...
Is that how everyone starts doing them?

That's hardly fair on your family and friends. If you're going to ruin a wedding, better it be that of strangers, rather than the nuptials of friends or family members. I don't think you're being very considerate!

26-06-2013 1:19pm

9959 wrote: »

That's hardly fair on your family and friends. If you're going to ruin a wedding, better it be that of strangers, rather than the nuptials of friends or family members. I don't think you're being very considerate!

Are you... joking?
Ruin a wedding? jesus

wet-paint · 26-06-2013 4:17pm

I think it's a very reasonable comment to make. Nobody wants someone who's just figuring out how to sing to perform at what a lot of women call the most special day of their lives.
If you are indeed getting trained as you suggested above, your coach should be talking you out of such an idea.

Go to open mic, join a choir/musical society, start busking, etc.
Get your chops in front of a less discerning and volatile clientele. Then go for weddings.

26-06-2013 6:04pm

I think it's an incredibly rude comment to make, I don't even know where to start on why.
"Just figuring out how to sing"?? Or that I'd force myself on people who haven't heard me perform before??
I asked where people start on weddings because I imagined I would do the first ones free, not because I listened to the bloody xfactor one night and decided I'm a singer
Forget I asked!

26-06-2013 8:59pm

wet-paint wrote: »

I think it's a very reasonable comment to make. Nobody wants someone who's just figuring out how to sing to perform at what a lot of women call the most special day of their lives.
If you are indeed getting trained as you suggested above, your coach should be talking you out of such an idea.

Go to open mic, join a choir/musical society, start busking, etc.
Get your chops in front of a less discerning and volatile clientele. Then go for weddings.

Hear, hear!

Wurly · 26-06-2013 9:41pm

Keep it civil or bans will be handed out. This is a friendly forum. If you can''t understand that concept, then its best that you find another forum to post in.

Wurly

Mod hat removed: I just want to add that LOADS of people ask friends/family to sing at weddings because it makes the occasion more special. I mean, Bluewolf's comment hardly said that she was going to just gatecrash the wedding and start singing. I think she meant, start out where she's comfortable, having obviously been asked in the first place. The posters that mentioned 'ruining weddings' and the like are insinuating that the girl is a bad singer. How can we make that judgement? It's possible to be a great singer without a lot of training. Some people just have it and need very little work. Others have great voices also but don't think that they do because their confidence is low. So they down play their abilities to others. Comments like the ones made above don't help matters, tbh.

26-06-2013 10:11pm

I take it all back, go for it Bluewolf and howl your heart out, for most people the wedding is already ruined by the time they get to the poorly delivered best-man's speech and the ill-conceived sticky toffee pudding, you belting out 'I Will Survive' to an ageing relative attempting the Watusi will most likely be ignored by the majority of the blind-drunk revellers, so no harm done. Good luck to you, and here's hoping that you do indeed 'survive' your first wedding 'engagement', just remember the first names of the bride and groom (usually Sean and Una) and you won't go far wrong!

G.K. · 04-07-2013 11:22pm

To answer bluewolf's original question, it was people I was connected to whose weddings I have sung at so far.

In other news, I'll be performing at the Salzburg Festival ina few weeks. Can't say how much I'm looking forward to it.