Slugbaby
...
A bandmate saw me shaking before a show once and asked me these simple questions.
1. Have you rehearsed enough to know what you need to play? (yes)
2. Do you trust that the rest of the band has rehearsed enough to know what they need to play? (yes)
3. Do you sound good? (yes)
4. Do you look good? (yes)
"After answering those 4 questions, you should be comfortable. You're presenting exactly what you intend to. What the audience is thinking is irrelevant as long as YOU have yourself covered."
...
I asked the girl about to go on stage for her first time ... the same 4 questions (with minimal variations, like do you know who you are saying the lines to?) ... and then the fatal error ... she pointed "out there" ... and I looked at her ... and said ... wait a minute.
(Questions chapter 2)
5. Which play are you in?
6. Where is the story?
So why the finger pointing?
Answer:
I don't know.
My final words. You are very good. You learned your lines well. You worked them great with the others. Now, it's time to go out there and have fun with the others. You might have to pause a little if they laugh ... that's OK, you can turn a bit and look at the next moment, and make it look like you are thinking what to do next.
Answer:
Oh. OK
She stole the show and got a standing ovation, even after incredibly smart moments, when a map that was 10ft tall and 20ft wide, fell over her head ... and she adjusted beautifully, by bringing it to the guy that was "interviewing her" and asking where she wanted to be born on the map. What would likely have been the hardest moment for most actors, when things fall apart, became the highlight of the show ... her dragging the map (further off the wall!) to the guy! Perfect. Couldn't have been written.
But it was all an extension of the rehearsal process, which worked on adding/subtracting things that were not a part of the story, so they knew how to get in and out of it. BUT, you have to know your lines/score, so you can ease up when you have to.
But it helps when you can make sense of the work, and help guide a line to the next. While this is more "internal" in music I think, since no one discusses meanings and thoughts regarding the sequence of notes (very important for theater and film, btw), in general, for my seeing, this is where musicians disconnect. It becomes too many soloists in the same room. Or what do they call it? Too many chef's in the kitchen? And I find those ideas and situations scary, as the inevitable is that you are fighting something else, which is ego driven and should not be a part of the work you are doing and trying to catch an audience with. Even Eric has complained about that ... sometimes I feel like I'm all alone, and nothing makes sense, to play, or do. I'm guessing he doesn't even know the musicians half the time, and they all fall into 3 or 4 lines of music in lieu of rehearsal?
To me, that music, and show, has already lost the spark, and to think that one person can bring it back, is a very unfair and very screwed up thing to demand of anyone, when more often than not it is the whole band that makes it work, not just the guitarist, keyboardist, or drummer, or anyone else.
To me, this is what Rain is fighting the most! But I think he has the withitall to do so, and at least showcase some ability, where most just talk and do not know how to play as well. Baby, just get out there ... and do your shine! YOUR SHINE!
(This is the reason why I do not like to do what everyone else does. You will always be compared to someone else, no matter how good you are. Sort of like Blues guitarists ... a dime a dozen ... now which one is better? Who has the best inner feeling? No one can find the depth, because it is an idea, NOT A REALITY. Think Jimi. Think SRV. Think others. You really think they did what they did because they did not like to "trip" and "fly" with the music? It's about your inner space! And that is "direct'able" ... but most bands are not that far into the work at all ... they are too much into invisible ideas of this or that! Of course you will be shaky and scared. It's someone else's idea that is not clear, concise and ready, or the players would all be ready and already shining.