I was looking forward to fulfilling a commitment I made to share some of the joy the harmonica has brought me. And do it on a volinteer basis. I guess thats why I did take it personally and felt insulted.
You'r right, chilling out is a good course of action. I rolled this whole thing around in my head and got too worked up about it. I guess this is just part of the game.
I have some backing tracks that I play with. Some of the songs that I like and play well, I do not have backing tracks for. Not sure how to work that out. Live or with a Demo!
The Harmonica tends to sound rather stale after a while if it's by itself. No matter how good one plays, you can just stand so many harp solos.
The listeners will be elderly folks in their 70's and 80's, something I need to keep in mind. Probably want to stay away from the Hard Core two beat stomp kind of blues. Thinking of a mix of first position melodies and some slow blues numbers.
I really love the song "Since I fell for you", that I learned from Jon in the video harp club. Wish I had a backing track for that. But I don't. And the Dutch bones song ( A.K.A. Sally Gardens). Talking througt this has helped me calm down about it. Now I just need to get to work on the solution. I have a pc mic I can make a cd/demo with. I don't feel like I'm in over my head,...just up to my neck or chin. This is how we grow, yes? Thanks for the feedback John.
When people say, "I'll get back to you...," they will, or, they won't. Don't take it personally, or professionally. Don't feel insulted.
If they don't get back to you within a week, call them. Don't be "pushy," just be polite, respectful and professional. Tell them that you need to set your calendar of performance dates as soon as possible.
A Demo Tape (Demonstration Tape Recording) is a prospective employer's way of auditioning you, without being in the room with you. It may be an audio tape or CD or DVD recording.
The CD is preferred, because not many people have tape players today. The employer may not have a tape player. You might be able to make a demo CD on your computer, if you have a recording program and a computer microphone. Label the CD and it's case with your name, phone number, mail address and e-mail address.
On your recording, play about 10 minutes' worth of the songs you play best. Most employers won't listen to any more than 10 minutes, probably less. Believe it or not, they are very busy.
They'll probably decide to hire or not hire you within the first 3 minutes of the recording. Make your most favorably impressive tune the first tune of the recording.
A recorded audition isn't as useful for a prospective employer as a person-to-person live audition, where the prospective employer gets to see you live. They can see your mannerisms, audience rapport, your posture, your hygiene. Yes, all of these are factors in a live audition.
You could make a DVD, but that's expensive, and probably won't do any more for you than an audio recording.
You didn't say in your message whether you will be performing for free, or requesting a fee.
After submitting your recording:
If you plan to play for free, or for money, call the prospective employer only one more time. If you don't get a favorable response (a "yes") after a week, move onto another possible employer. Ask the prospective employer to return the recording to you, or go there and pick it up. You can use it again (or make copies) for your next audition.
About 2 months ago I met a guitar player that does volinteer work at a local senior centers and nursing homes. He and I played a few songs, and sounded great.
He suggested we get together and work on enough material for two or three sets. Then play with him at a nursing home show that he had scheduled. (he has done this before, I have not)
I called him a few days later to ask him about it. He said we had a few weeks, and he would get back with me, "calm down, this is going to happen" Were his exact words. The appointed time came and went and I never heard a word from the...person!
A week or so later I went to the senior center and talked to them about playing there. They are the ones that introduced me to the "no show", anyway, they told me to leave a message at the front desk. the person that approves that sort of thing was out for the week. So I did that. Two or three weeks go by and I don't hear a word.
Today I get an e-mail from her "sorry it took so long to get back with you, leave a demo tape at the front desk, I'll review it and get back with you.
I don't know how to break this to anyone but I dont have a demo tape. I feel like telling her to kiss my #!&% for jerking me around for two months. Should I record something or blow it off. ( how does one make a demo tape? )
