Refining performances (previously, RE: Real instruments...)

[Patrick Bolan <pbolan@csiconstruction.com>]

Well said.

Of course, things are going to happen with gadgets, and it takes time to
troubleshoot.  Let's see... I've kicked the power out of the wall
socket, dropped my guitar, forgot to erase a loop before I started a new
one, created thunderous shockwaves via shorts in my cables... all in
front of hundreds of people.  

Some people believe that such "extemporaneous" errors, whether they be
technical or musical, are part of the experience.  But I believe what
separates the amateurs from the professionals is this: The professionals
minimize the distractions, and highlight the best of what they do.  

One of the ways I've tried to minimize the distractions in performance
is not to do musical works that I am not comfortable with yet.  I find
that if I practice at 100% competency, then I'll perform new pieces at
80% of what they could be just because I'm hyped up and physically
stressed.  It's a way to 'pre-select' pieces for the 'best' of what I
do.

Patrick sends.... 



-----Original Message-----
From: Clifford [mailto:om@Om-Studios.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 12:29 PM
To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
Subject: RE: Real instruments vs. electronic instruments

In watching people with electronic equipment lately- loopers included- I
have become acutely aware of the fact that watching someone become
confused,
unsure, or contemplative about what they are doing in the midst of a
live
performance SERIOUSLY detracts from my enjoyment of the performance. I
have
been there myself- I know what it is like on both sides. 

I decided to make a solo demo to get local gigs- but upon using my
current
rig quickly realized I will need to practice and carefully organize my
electronic equipment until I don't really have to think about it and the
work on stage will be engaging. I think of Jimmy George's recordings-
bam/bam/bam- no pauses to program gear- no extra bars of repetition
created
not by creative choice but by the time required to attend to the "gear".
I
still cannot see any way to be less than 2 levels removed at times-
meaning
I will have to perform more than 1 action sometimes before you hear/see
a
result. (Switch preset on EDP, perform next movement- or switch bank on
foot
controller, then more etc- switch reverb/delay patch and so on)

In any event- it has been a healthy observation/conclusion for me to
arrive
at and will ultimately improve my set a great deal.

The moral of the story is: Learn your loopers like you learn your
musical
instrument- then take it to the people. 

Of course, only my 2 cents.

Cliff