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Well, it's finally here. My first Christmas performance of the year and my first performance with "Ginny," (my new 2014 Fiddlerman Soloist).
I don't go on till 8 this evening, but I'm already feeling the nerves! I was contacted a few months ago about this after our HOA president drove by my garage as I was practicing on morning. I really wasn't expecting him to remember, but alas, he did! LOL
I've been trying to lie down as much as possible to save my back, but I also have a plan B if needed in the form of a high-backed stool. Worst case scenario, I can plug my spinal cord stimulator right into the wall where I'll be playing. I'm just hoping my nerves don't make my pain worse!
They requested 2 sets, at 6 songs apiece. Pretty easy, especially since they're all Christmas tunes! They are:
We Wish You a Merry Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, The First Noel, Joy To the World, We Three Kings, Silent Night, What Child is This (Greensleaves), Oh Christmas Tree, Good King Wenseles, Jingle Bells & Santa Clause is Coming To Town for when Santa shows up w/ gifts for the kids. I also had a special request from an elderly lady for Silver Bells which I'm going to do. Her late husband loved that song and she wanted to hear it for him. I couldn't say no to that!
On that note, I was also asked to do a presentation on Pain Management & Music at a local cancer support group at the YMCA. They wanted to hear a few Christmas tunes as well. That one took me completely by surprise. They heard about my last two presentations at local physical therapy clinics and reached out to me. It seems that the goals I set forth in motion are finally gaining some traction! This one, I'm a little bit out of my league as I know about dealing with a traumatic injury, but not cancer. I have 10 days to come up with a good 30-45 minute presentation about how music & playing music can help. I really don't want to let them down!
So yeah, MUCH stress right now!! Any last second advice or advice on the cancer presentation? I would much appreciate it!
I'm normally not nervous before a performance. I just did 8 this past summer at reenactments and even performed for a period ball! Maybe it's because these upcoming shows have more meaning.
Wish me luck!!! May I make y'all proud!!!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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Good luck, mate! I've played a few songs in performances before, but have never played that many. Get yourself together, it's gonna come out just fine! 
Skype: augustoad Email: [email protected] Phone number/whatsapp: +55 42 9861-4084. I'd be happy to talk anything fiddle-related to anyone! :)
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Good luck Eric, I'm sure it will all be fine ! 
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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Well, with a cancer support group, they probably know plenty about cancer. It would be your experience in pain management that they're looking forward to hearing about. So stick to what you know, and that's one less thing to stress about. I'm sure you'll do great!
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
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I can't offer any advice, sorry, but it sounds nice! Wish You a great performance!
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cool beans, and good on you for Silver bells !!
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Good luck! I wish you a great performance!
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......whoa. Just made it home and all I can say is wow....and OWE! LOL That hurt!!
Well, 12 songs turned into roughly 25 with a few more Christmas tunes figured out/learned on the spot. But it was an amazing time!
I played through dinner, taking some requests as well. I announced Santa's arrival to the tune of Santa Clause is Coming To Town and welcomed all the gifts under the tree to the sound of Oh Christmas Tree! I also had to lie down during the dessert section....man, that pie looked good too!!
The highlight of the night would have to have been my new friend, Mrs. Janice. The one who requested Silver Bells for her late husband. I learned that they loved blue grass and country before I played it for her. So, I started the song off traditionally, then added some "flare" to it in the middle before finishing it off with a little of both! I got a huge, warm hug at the end of that one! Made my night!
I also think I got "goosed" by one of the single mom's there that night too. ....still not sure as she claimed that she wasn't watching where she was going! LMAO! I just told my wife, "See, I still got it!" 
In an unexpected turn of events, there was a guy there who runs his own investment company who asked me if I would be willing to play for a while tomorrow night at his company's Christmas party for his clients! So, #2 is scheduled for tomorrow night! I told him that I'm not that good & I've only been playing for a few years, but apparently, he liked what he heard tonight! Only this time, I'll just have to play on & off for about an hour during dinner. It sounds much easier!
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On the Cancer Support Group front, I received an email from the founder who might be doubling my audience for my presentation. He's not sure yet if both groups will be attending on the same day or if I will have to do 2 different presentations, but he'll know for sure on Monday.
@DanielB I think that's what I'm going to do. I'll put the primary focus on music and how it affects pain and rehabilitation. I'll also focus on how stress can further health issues and negatively affect recovery & healing. There's a lot of common ground there and with any luck, I'll be able to help someone see that music can be an instrumental part of recovery.
It's amazing what opportunities open up when you find your passion.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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EJ-Kisz said
......whoa. Just made it home and all I can say is wow....and OWE! LOL That hurt!!
.....
It's amazing what opportunities open up when you find your passion.
Well done - glad it went well - I liked your record of the evenings events - pity about the pie!
Inspirational !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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Thanks Bill! Yeah, they had 3 different kinds of pie.....apple, pumpkin & pecan!! My wife said that it was my punishment for enjoying the "goosing" a little too much! LOL
I'm still wired from the event! I took my night meds which usually knock me right out, but, as you can see, I'm still wide awake! I probably won't get a full night's sleep until the end of tomorrows gig. It will be much needed by then! Maybe a little sleep deprivation will help me slow down my playing tomorrow. I have a tendency to speed things up when I'm nervous! LOL
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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Well done! You did splendidly from the sounds of it and are a true inspiration to just do it and sort out how to make it work so that you can.
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Thanks! It was a ton of fun! But I tell ya what, I feel like a train wreck now! LoL
I didn't wake up till 10 this morning and it took me a while to even get moving. Just think, I get to do it again tonight! At least it will be way easier and for a smaller group. I even get to use a cool office chair with lumbar support!
But I'd never thought I'd have a fiddler hangover! Even my fingers are feeling it! I woke up to this:
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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What a great thead to read. Smiles from ear to ear!!!! Goosed and hung over!! Lol you still got it! Very positive and happy to read. You rock bud.
Cheers Toni!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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Sounds great Eric. LOL "fiddler hangover"..... I've heard of it but not in that sense. ROFL
Hope your second performance is just as enjoyable if not more so, and more relaxing for you.
Congratulations on the success...
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Round 2 is officially in the books and I feel like I just went 2 rounds with Apollo Creed or Rocky. ....owe.
It was much easier this time around as I was off in my own little corner next to the Christmas tree. I was given free reign on when & what to play. After the first few songs, I did start getting requests.
I even had a couple move to a table closer to me to listen!
I did feel a lot of strain in my back which lead to me gripping more with my neck as my posture started to deteriorate. I took a small break after a set of 3 or 4 songs, depending on long each one was. It seemed to work out with all the announcements going on!
I had a ton of compliments! They said my playing made the event much more elegant and that I sounded great! I liked the fact that I was in the background tonight. It took some of the pressure off and allowed me to cope with some of the physical issues I had.
On a side note: ALWAYS do a dress rehearsal! I forgot that playing in a sweater is different than playing in a shirt and tie! That was some awkwardness I had to deal with right off the bat!! AND, Cheese ball & crackers DO NOT go good with nerves before performing! LMAO!! Maybe next time, I'll skip the snacks!
Thanks everyone for the support & words of encouragement! I'll give you an update when I hear more about the Cancer Support Group presentation on Monday!
It's time for me to crash after I get done icing everything that hurts!! Good night!!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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Bravo!!!
Sorry to hear about the pain.
You seem to have that natural performance talent built in. Not everyone is cut out to perform. For some, it takes a lot of work and routine before they are comfortable doing it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said
Bravo!!!
Sorry to hear about the pain.
You seem to have that natural performance talent built in. Not everyone is cut out to perform. For some, it takes a lot of work and routine before they are comfortable doing it.
I think the pain was worth it! I really could move that much until today! LOL You live & learn!
I think that I've just been so used to performing, it doesn't affect me as much as it used to do. I had my first trumpet solo at 9 and I felt like I wanted to throw up.
I still get nerves, but once I start playing, they seem to melt away. Now playing in front of a camera, that's a whole different story. I still lock up from time to time. I need more practice so I can loosen up! LOL
Cancer Support Group Update:
Just found out that it's going to be one large group scheduled for next Tuesday! I at least have another week to prepare! They want 4 or 5 songs and about a 30 minute presentation! This is everything that I've been working for since my decision to change the path in my life! It's time to bring my passion and share it!!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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Well done @EJ-Kisz. That takes a lot of nerves to get up like that and sounds like you rocked it. Don't know what you do for a living, but maybe hiring yourself out for professional gigs is in the future!
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kylesito said
Well done @EJ-Kisz. That takes a lot of nerves to get up like that and sounds like you rocked it. Don't know what you do for a living, but maybe hiring yourself out for professional gigs is in the future!
Thanks! Unfortunately, I'm not able to work because of my injuries. Doc says I'm "retired" which doesn't suit me well. I would love to play professionally in some form or another, but long sets take a lot out of me and I have to lie down every 20 minutes or so to relieve some of the pain. Other times, my concentration & memory are really affected, especially on bad pain days. Somehow, music provides some distraction and pain relief which is why I play and the message I'm trying share with everyone!
Plus, I need a lot more instruction on violin! So far, I've been hanging in there without professional lessons, but I think it's time to get some. Simple songs are one thing, but man, once I go up to a different position, I suddenly sound like that dying cat again! LOL 
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
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