My first round tunes were Red Haired Boy and Old Spinning Wheel. Red Haired Boy went poorly. As with previous contests that I've been in, the biggest battle is the battle against nervousness. While I didn't feel nervous before being called to the staged, I had a surge of adrenalin working against me as I started the first tune. Most of the things I wanted to play drained from my brain, and I called on many stock licks to make it through the song. Also, the adrenalin made my right hand feel somewhat shaky, and my tone suffered.
The second song went better. The adrenalin subsided to some extent, and I had this arrangement more ingrained in my muscle memory, as I've been playing it longer. If I had played the first song as well, I might have had a reasonable chance of making the second round.
It was a good experience. It reinforced something I already knew--nerves are the biggest challenge in a flatpicking contest. It gave me a benchmark on how much time I need to dedicate to prepare for a contest. It drove home the need to do multiple contests next year before going back to the national championship.
My friend Dustin, who played rhythm, felt the pressure too. He remarked as we walked off the stage that he'd rather play the biggest stage at the festival in front of packed grandstands than get up on the contest stage again. He did a fine job in spite of his nerves.
My friend Dustin, who played rhythm, felt the pressure too. He remarked as we walked off the stage that he'd rather play the biggest stage at the festival in front of packed grandstands than get up on the contest stage again. He did a fine job in spite of his nerves.
Congratulations for getting up there and giving it a shot. You'll be a lot more prepared for the next time. Thanks for letting us know how it went.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, I must have just missed you on stage. Hope you didn't get too wet on Saturday. I've never competed myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if I couldn't hold a pick much less play at my usual ability. Good luck preparing for next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. I've been enjoying the CD.
ReplyDeleteNice job Dave! I can't imagine what it would be like to be in your shoes and try that. I'd be too frozen to even remember how to play a G-chord! Any chance that your performance might be on YouTube?
ReplyDeleteMax in Arizona
Max,
ReplyDeleteI doubt anybody recorded it. There are big signs on the wall saying, essentially, don't record this, buy our recordings instead. There's a youtube of me at the TX state contest a few years back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXSGrx467Rk&feature=channel_video_title
I'm planning to do some youtubes of the contest tunes for Winfield. I'll post them here when I do.
Dave your still TOPS in my book and I spent many of moment this weekend in California at a bluegrass festival (King's River) telling folks about your amazing blog. It also helped me with my jamming and I'm VERY grateful bro!
ReplyDelete-Cheers
Congrats Dave! The biggest "trophy" that everyone brings home, win or loose is experience! thought it sure would be nice to come home with a new "geetar"
ReplyDeletethanks again for this wonderful blog.
Ditto on the nerves. I've played large festivals (in between headliners like Rhonda Vincent, Trace Adkins and REO Speedwagon) and yet when I got up to play a couple of flatpick pieces for a barn full of guitar players, I couldn't keep my hands from shaking. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI was up there with you. It was great for all the rest of us to take sixth place. The weather was quite interesting in the tin building with it storming /thundering and the water dripping down on stage. I was the second one up so at least got it out of the way early. My right arm is certainly the weak link in a situation like this but did much better this year than the one prior. I will never be in the top five however it is good to participate and improve my skills. Great job on this web site.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brent. I thought you played very well. I think you have as good a shot at top 5 as anybody (now that McDowell has to sit out a while). I think Jake Workman will be a top 5 guy in coming years, too.
ReplyDelete