24 Jul 2015, 2:25 pm
24 Jul 2015, 3:31 pm
24 Jul 2015, 3:39 pm
BirdInFlight
Veteran
Joined: 8 Jun 2013
Age: 63
Gender: Female
Posts: 4,501
Location: If not here, then where?
25 Jul 2015, 6:19 am
I sing, write songs, and play a few instruments well enough to accompany myself on my songs, but I've stopped "playing out" (playing live situations in public).
But before then I was out there for about fourteen years, variously playing busking situations (street musician in the subway, didn't do that for long though), being in other people's bands, having my own band, being a solo artist in coffee bars and small club venues, and people asking me to sing backing on their projects.
I really enjoy singing and songwriting the most -- I never loved playing live to an audience. I didn't get the worst stagefright but I got nervous enough not to like it. I always loosened up after the first couple of songs, but still could never "love" being up onstage being watched and listened to by people. I hated performing so much that I kept my eyes closed the entire time. Every photo ever taken of me onstage, my eyes are closed. I looked like a corpse propped up in front of a mic with a guitar slung over me. 
I much preferred recording my music on my own equipment at home, alone. I gave my best performances all alone relaxed in my own studio area, hahahha. I sing better when it's only me listening, and play better too. I could never, ever relax playing "to" another human being, hence I eventually gave up.
I also hated playing out because it all takes place at night, and I'm a homebody. I like to be tucked up on my couch safe at home. I hate bars and clubs in general, but playing music means that's the only place you spend all your time every night. 
If you want to get a singing career going, you might go along to open mic nights if there are any near you, and see if they will let you do an acapella spot singing a song you know, doesn't have to be your own unless they have a rule about that (some open mics I used to do had a rule that your own original material is all they want to hear).
If some of the other musicians get to hear you sing, you may start making friends and getting offers -- that's how someone asked me to feature on their album when they needed a female background vocal/duet situation on most of the songs.
27 Jul 2015, 8:22 pm
28 Jul 2015, 2:30 pm
But before then I was out there for about fourteen years, variously playing busking situations (street musician in the subway, didn't do that for long though), being in other people's bands, having my own band, being a solo artist in coffee bars and small club venues, and people asking me to sing backing on their projects.
I really enjoy singing and songwriting the most -- I never loved playing live to an audience. I didn't get the worst stagefright but I got nervous enough not to like it. I always loosened up after the first couple of songs, but still could never "love" being up onstage being watched and listened to by people. I hated performing so much that I kept my eyes closed the entire time. Every photo ever taken of me onstage, my eyes are closed. I looked like a corpse propped up in front of a mic with a guitar slung over me.
I much preferred recording my music on my own equipment at home, alone. I gave my best performances all alone relaxed in my own studio area, hahahha. I sing better when it's only me listening, and play better too. I could never, ever relax playing "to" another human being, hence I eventually gave up.
I also hated playing out because it all takes place at night, and I'm a homebody. I like to be tucked up on my couch safe at home. I hate bars and clubs in general, but playing music means that's the only place you spend all your time every night.
If you want to get a singing career going, you might go along to open mic nights if there are any near you, and see if they will let you do an acapella spot singing a song you know, doesn't have to be your own unless they have a rule about that (some open mics I used to do had a rule that your own original material is all they want to hear).
If some of the other musicians get to hear you sing, you may start making friends and getting offers -- that's how someone asked me to feature on their album when they needed a female background vocal/duet situation on most of the songs.
Performing or making a career of it, would be of no joy to me. I just like doing it for myself, and I like the idea of being able to collaborate with other artists. But I have a lot of respect for those people who are able to (and enjoy) performing for others
so kudos to you for doing that! You gave me an idea, when you mentioned recording yourself and how it gave you the most satisfaction, maybe that would satisfy me too. My boyfriend has all of the gear here...I'd just have to get up the nerve to ask if I can use it.
28 Jul 2015, 2:33 pm
28 Jul 2015, 4:08 pm
28 Jul 2015, 11:21 pm
29 Jul 2015, 9:51 pm
