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Post by edcat7 on Nov 22, 2011 22:15:16 GMT
Whilst waiting for my kids at Chinese school I was practicing my dizi and erhu.
The headmaster asked me to play something for Chinese new year in February?? sometime.
I'm naturally flattered and excited but absolutely 'bricking it'. I'd like some advice and even horror stories from those who've done it.
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Post by davidmdahl on Nov 23, 2011 7:39:45 GMT
This could be a lot of fun. What is the setting? Will there be a concert, and you will be one of many, or just you visiting a class? Years ago I did the latter for a nephew's elementary school class. Much of the time I talked about and demonstrated the instruments. Besides a few short Chinese tunes, I played a few tunes that they knew, like Row Row Row Your Boat, and Oh, Susanna!, but no doubt you could find something cooler.
It's not necessary to play something hard and flashy. Jasmine Flower might be a good choice.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by phillipr on Nov 23, 2011 18:26:22 GMT
My brother and I used to perform Irish music for the kids at a local Catholic school every year. It was always great fun, and both the teachers and children were very appreciative. Some of my cousins attended the school, which was very nice come lunch time.
I'm with David. This opportunity sounds like great fun. Talk about the instruments, play a few short tunes, and play a couple of things they might know. I was always asked to play "Amazing Grace" on the Uilleann Pipes. Not one of my favorite songs or melodies, but people enjoyed it.
Phillip
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Post by edcat7 on Nov 23, 2011 22:17:33 GMT
I think it's more in the concert style setting. I've got a few tunes with hulusi, dizi and erhu in mind but if I had to choose just one type of instrument then it would easily be the hulusi.
I'm more concerned that I'll get stage fright and lose it completely.
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Post by xindi on Nov 25, 2011 23:28:24 GMT
Good luck! I can't imagine any of the little munchkins would notice unless over 50% of the notes were missing.
The hulusi and bawu would be more fascinating..most importantly be cause they won't have a clue nor reference point to evaluate with their little heads whats going on, mesmerised by the mystery of the strange instrument and then suddenly when they start to get used to the sounds...it's all over. Kazamm!
Wth a mic system to overpower their little high pitched squeals of course lol. You can tell how endearingly I consider playing for kids. These days everything is a distraction stopping them from their playstation.
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Post by yudingbon on Nov 26, 2011 4:45:24 GMT
I find to get kids attentions, you should start with something familiar. The first time I got up in front of a classroom to demonstrate cello, I did not do anything flashy to start. Instead, I play Brahm's lullaby, which immediately calmed down the room. From there I could introduce myself and the next piece I was going to play, which was more technically demanding.
Of course, this is a slightly different situtation, where my instrument was not as foriegn, but I think similar concepts apply. A folk tune or pop tune, or anything they would recognize, to start, then get into the more traditional stuff. The exciting new instrument should already be able to capture half the audience though.
There is really no way you could botch it up, unless you drop the instrument halfway through. I actually managed to do this one time. My endpin slipped and the instrument kind of ran away from me. I managed to make a joke out of it, say that the school did not like the idea of my bringing a sharp metal spear into the school and I had to settle for a blunt on.
The long and short out it: take it as a oppurtunity to have fun with the kids. You are not there to represent the entire Chinese population, but merely offer a window in which they can begin appreciate what we all know and love. Just share what you know and that is all they can really ask of you.
~Lucian
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Post by edcat7 on Nov 26, 2011 19:02:12 GMT
Learning the violin and piano seems to be all the rage with Chinese kids - everywhere. Lucian makes a great point: that perhaps the kids would catch some of my enthusiasm towards traditional Chinese instruments.
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Post by edcat7 on Jan 26, 2012 11:32:58 GMT
My daughters' Chinese school has just got back to me about performing to raise funds for the school. (I had secretly hoped they had forgotten!) I'd be playing the hulusi since that is what I play the least worst  Also, my embrochure goes on the dizi when I am nervous. I'm begining to get profficient on the erhu, though only in D. Can someone paste a simple erhu tune in D, which will last at a least a few minutes. Actually I think I may finish off playing the Chinese national anthem on dizi. I think the setting will be on stage and I will be one of many (I hope) |
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Post by xindi on Jan 26, 2012 21:56:35 GMT
I hope you enjoy it!
Bring a spare hulusi, just in case the reed goes. I tend to carry two dizi around, just in case I fluff up the di mo, which seems to be happening very often lately.
The hulusi is very soothing - it makes a great impact, especially if amp'd!
This is awful ... I've never actually heard the chinese national anthem (quickly hunted it down on youtube just now to familiarise myself with it!). Then again, I don't know any national anthems, except the Marseillaise for some reason lol
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Post by edcat7 on Jan 26, 2012 22:37:09 GMT
The kids wouldn't have heard the Chinese National Anthem before and will remain seated- as will some of the adults.
I just found out I'll be playing for half an hour in some sort of school hall whilst people will be milling around having a buffet. I cant play the same 3 tunes again and again (and in time to the backing music) so I'm begining to get worried.
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Post by xindi on Jan 28, 2012 19:01:08 GMT
Wow. Half an hour of play time?! That's rather something...>! I suppose it might be a good time to bring a karaoke machine, and just quietly disappear after 1 song, leaving it running The last time I had to be a compere (sp?) at a wedding, it was a nightmare trying to get the guests to quieten down so that the bride's sister could sing a solo during the dinner banquet. I really hope you have a loud amp and speaker set up to drown them all out! |
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Post by edcat7 on Jan 28, 2012 23:30:07 GMT
Wow. Half an hour of play time?! That's rather something...>! I suppose it might be a good time to bring a karaoke machine, and just quietly disappear after 1 song, leaving it running The last time I had to be a compere (sp?) at a wedding, it was a nightmare trying to get the guests to quieten down so that the bride's sister could sing a solo during the dinner banquet. I really hope you have a loud amp and speaker set up to drown them all out! Have a karaoke machine and mime to it? That's what everyone has told me. Preparation is everything and I'm not too concerned about the hulusi even though I'm learning a new tune now. Jasmine flower and a couple of other bits on the erhu will take another few minutes. I may even strum a few notes on the liuqin! |
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Post by edcat7 on Feb 27, 2012 23:44:12 GMT
I just found out this do is a 'black tie' event with guests paying £35/head including meal. there will be 150 -200 guests there. Oh s... ! I'm really nervous as I'm not prepared and I dislike crowds. I have 3 well played hulusi tunes, 2 hulusi tunes but not quick enough to the backing music. 3 grade 1 erhu tunes (thanks to an earlier thread) and 1 or 2 liuqin pieces. I've made hand pulled noodles in front of VIP's in a top hotel but this is more scary. Sanmenxia what are you doing on Saturday? |
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Post by Blue on Feb 28, 2012 0:06:40 GMT
Is this a solo performance, or will you be performing with other people using the same instrument? If you have performed in front of public before with several other people, you should know that if one has several people playing the same instrument, errors from certain performers would be filtered out. Therefore playing the same instrument with several people in front of the public is a confidence booster. You'll have to draft people at extreme short notice if you feel that would help. (I've vetoed all requests to perform in year-end banquets in the past . . . .)
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Post by edcat7 on Feb 28, 2012 7:15:54 GMT
I'll be playing on my own for half an hour durring the drinks reception. Actually I've had more experience holding the silver tray. 'Canapes Sir???' Sanmenxia .....you're my only hope |
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Post by sanmenxia on Feb 28, 2012 12:37:50 GMT
I guess if you're providing background music then at least most people won't be actually listening or watching you I agree playing with other people is a lot easier than playing on your own, in the sense you can make mistakes and get away with it, if the others can play better than you. |
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Post by xindi on Feb 28, 2012 20:35:00 GMT
Go on Sanmenxia - you'll enjoy it too  Two's more company - you can look at each other instead of the black ties It's probably less daunting than it sounds Ed - just down a double vodka and you'll enjoy the rest! |
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Post by edcat7 on Feb 28, 2012 22:30:03 GMT
I had a freebie G and T at my teacher's gig last week. Then another (I paid) and during his performance I felt really sick and had to get some air. I think I will leave the alcohol till afterwards |
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Post by xindi on Feb 28, 2012 23:53:31 GMT
Lol..you're way more disciplined than me .. I have no qualms performing to blue collar tits; Canada geese and swans...but black ties...I'd get sloshed and do a fermented version of Moli Hua :-)
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Post by edcat7 on Feb 29, 2012 0:13:57 GMT
I wore a penguin suit once and was mistaken for a waiter!
Oh well, looks like I'll be playing solo
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Post by edcat7 on Mar 4, 2012 3:32:49 GMT
Well i did it. I was on the stage for half an hour starting with the erhu, failing miserably on the zhongruan; better on the liuqin and finishing well on the hulusi. My mp3 player with the backing tracks were with the sound guys some distance and height away. The background noise was such that I had difficulty in hearing the backing music and at times played instinctively. It seems I was the only unpaid entertainer there but the goodwill generated was priceless. All-in-all a positive experience. |
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Post by George on Mar 4, 2012 4:06:36 GMT
Great |
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Post by xindi on Mar 5, 2012 23:15:30 GMT
When's the write up coming Edcat? |
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Post by edcat7 on Mar 5, 2012 23:28:08 GMT
I thought I would be scared witless performing in public . But a combination of the stage lights ,incessant talking to the point I couldn't hear what i was playing, in an odd way set me at ease.
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Post by xindi on Mar 5, 2012 23:40:32 GMT
That's pretty much what I had envisaged - it's almost an effort, to fight to be heard.
I remember being in a concert, where the crowd was noisy and smokey. The singer sat on a chair, and belted out at everyone that she was trying to quit smoking, and she would really appreciate it if the rest of the crowd did for her gig. Silence descended as everyone was shocked! Then she belted out one of the best concerts I'd ever heard :0
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