- Zurf

  Joe

Thanks so much for the replies and encouragement.  I am going to give it a go - I told him I will do the first one for free to see how it works out.

Now I am thinking about song choices.  Like I said earlier, I bang them out loud usually - Stones, U2, Beatles etc. but this is a daytime bar with women drinking coffees, eating tapas, that sort of thing.  I will have to tone it down and concentrate on more well-known songs.  Got to get learning quickly!

Thanks again for the advice.

Vic.

so first off, i do play every week in front of a crowd in pubs clubs etc, back home where it rains a lot!.

the owner obviously liked what you were doing and he probably had regulars coming in saying how good you were....so easy peasy lemonade, go for it, play what you know, if it dont work he'll sack you so why worry?

i've been to spain a lot, benidorm mainly, and the acts there are not as impressive as i was led to believe. i wish i had the guts to chuck everything in and move out there...so good luck, we are always here to help in any way we can...just ask

phill

Has anyone any advice or tips?

Hello, vic.  First off, I admire anyone who can play in front of a crowd.  My family and friends say i should do that but I don't feel like I'm good enough (nor is it likely that I will EVER think I am good enough), but that's just me.  I always tip "buskers" because I admire their nerve.

So, having never played in front of a crowd, i can't offer advice on that, but I have been in audiences countless times.  Russell gives good advice, i.e., play what you want to play, but if you really want to engage the crowd and increase your "revenue" (tips), be prepared to play requests as well.  Get a few good (thick) fake books to cover a myriad of songs, so you might at least attempt to play some songs that you don't know if somebody asks you to.

Good luck, and be sure to stop back in and tell us how your job is going.

Knock 'em dead!!!

For the past 6 months, I have been visiting a pub for jamming nights, nearly every week.  The whole place has a blusy kinda vibe, so I have tailored my music to what I think suits the place...lots of Rolling Stones.  Everyone plays sitting down and it is smoky and a bit rough in the place but a nice crowd of people, both English and Spanish (sorry, I forgot to mention I live in Spain but am English).   

About a month ago, I decided to play more upbeat songs while standing to up the energy and this has gone down very well.  I am doing a lot of Stones, Beatles, U2, Oasis - I really feel I am getting better.  I should also say, I play chords and sing - no lead and no backing tracks.

I have been approached by a bar owner who runs a daytime bar in the town.  He has asked me to play there on a Sunday afternoon - to give a one-man show if you like.  I find this so flattering, but it scares the hell out of me.  The bar is right on the paseo (beach promenade).  The place will be busy in the Summer with families and a less rough and ready crowd - and lots of passers-by.   I don't think banging out loud rocky music will be what is required, so I will have to change how I play and sing to something quieter and change some of my material.   

I have never performed for money and while I am happy to be asked, I am also terrified of failing.  It is to me, a lot different to performing for fun.

Has anyone any advice or tips?