First live performance in 20 years!!!
Furious_Phil
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Well, This past Saturday marked the first time I've performed live in a little over 20 years, and ironically it was with the same bandmates I last performed with 
We formed the power trio called "Ground Zero" about a year and a half ago and cover everything from Stevie Wonder to the Lynch Mob, so I have to really watch that I don't overdo it getting the rasp/distortion of Oni Logan right before I have to clean up and go all mo-town vocals on pieces like Higher Ground or Superstition (The music is more hard rock, but the vocals maintain the Motown feel).
Anyway, we did a set at a house/Halloween party and first off, I had totally forgotten the charge one gets while interacting with an audience!
Secondly, I was getting pulled aside afterwards and getting praised on both my guitar wizardry, but even moreso on my vocals!!
The first few compliments felt very nice to hear, but the following dozen made me stop and think... Have I really grown that much in a year?
(FYI: I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a student of the KTVA)
One of the people that talked to me after the set knew what I sounded like a year a year and a half ago when the band first got together, and he basically asked what the hell happened to my voice! His eyes welled up and he hugged me. (I was gobsmacked)
For reference, a year and a half ago was a time when the other bandmates were regularly bringing in other singers so I could "focus more on my guitar playing"... if you catch my drift. This person insisted I told him who/where I got my training from, to which I told him and gave him the link.
Long story short, this exceeded my deepest desires that someone might actually take notice and enjoy the music we performed and maybe, just possibly notice the hundreds of hours I've spent on the KTVA program. I am humbled by the experience, and driven to continue on with the process of developing my voice to the next level.
We formed the power trio called "Ground Zero" about a year and a half ago and cover everything from Stevie Wonder to the Lynch Mob, so I have to really watch that I don't overdo it getting the rasp/distortion of Oni Logan right before I have to clean up and go all mo-town vocals on pieces like Higher Ground or Superstition (The music is more hard rock, but the vocals maintain the Motown feel).
Anyway, we did a set at a house/Halloween party and first off, I had totally forgotten the charge one gets while interacting with an audience!
Secondly, I was getting pulled aside afterwards and getting praised on both my guitar wizardry, but even moreso on my vocals!!
The first few compliments felt very nice to hear, but the following dozen made me stop and think... Have I really grown that much in a year?
(FYI: I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a student of the KTVA)
One of the people that talked to me after the set knew what I sounded like a year a year and a half ago when the band first got together, and he basically asked what the hell happened to my voice! His eyes welled up and he hugged me. (I was gobsmacked)
For reference, a year and a half ago was a time when the other bandmates were regularly bringing in other singers so I could "focus more on my guitar playing"... if you catch my drift. This person insisted I told him who/where I got my training from, to which I told him and gave him the link.
Long story short, this exceeded my deepest desires that someone might actually take notice and enjoy the music we performed and maybe, just possibly notice the hundreds of hours I've spent on the KTVA program. I am humbled by the experience, and driven to continue on with the process of developing my voice to the next level.
Comments
Congrats on your one year anniversary also.
Peace, Tony
You have gone through the first phase of the KTVA CHANGE. It doesn't stop here. It just keeps on going, for as long as you keep working on Ken's exercises and methods. You'll see, in a year or two, what I mean. It just keeps growing. Tone. Range. Finesse. Surprises!
Happy KTVA Birthday to you!
Bob
Good singing to you and happy anniversary!
Alvis
C.
I haven't had the guts to perform live, but I admire the courage and position you're in
Good luck with future endeavors!
I, for one, can't wait to hear the difference another year will make...
For what its worth, at 1 year in, my training regimen consists of:
- Day 1 Volume 3 for chest development/maintenance
- Day 2 Volume 4 in the Pro-Course for head voice development.
- (I keep alternating them through the week)
- I do volume 2 as a warmup on the drive to the rehearsal location
~ This seems a very nice training balance for me at this point.
My current gear is pretty basic, with a Sennheiser E835 (Hoping to move up to a Sennheiser E945 for Christmas) through a Helicon VoiceLive Play feeding dual lines (Stereo) into the board. Very huge stereo sound delivered with that Sennheiser clarity we all know and love
"Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest at the middle and best at the end." ~ Robin S. Sharma
It's not only inspiring, but also reassuring to see how far people get with KTVA. I bet you are real proud, and you should be. You really pleased the crowd! I hope to be able to do the same one day!
Thanks so much for sharing, great read!
All the best,
Ben
That's awesome man! So glad to hear your first experience back playing live was a huge success.
All the best.
Ward
There's nothing better when someone notices the difference. That wee extra boost goes a long way. It's like what I was saying to someone the other day. It only take one person in a crowded room to say something nice at the end of your gig to make your day.
Keep going man. Stories like this inspire everyone.
Actually I have a solo pre-Christmas gig at a retirement home mid-december, where I'll be going full acoustic. That should prove interesting...
Just me, my Larrivee acoustic, and my Sennheiser e835 through my VoiceLive Play unit.
I played some classical acoustic accompaniment to a very talented pianist, as well as a few solo pieces like "Fields of Gold" and "Hard Sun", that went over very well.
Interestingly enough they asked if I could play something non-Christmas based, as they were sick to death of it at that point... LOL
I did my best to give them what they wanted, and entertain them while I did it :-)
But these wee gigs are so rewarding. Good on ye man. It's what it's all about.
I am starting to think I should invest in a modest PA system at this point
Wish me luck!
Maybe we can get some audio or video?
I wish you all the best.
Ben
Could use some time to relax.
I am curious to see what you will settle with for a PA system. I have some ideas what i would get myself.
All the best,
Ben
Very compact, and about the same weight as my tube amp head.
500 watts with a very decent clean signal... with the TC Helicon VoiceLive Play, its pretty sweet! Not big enough for a bar/club, but totally fine for a coffee house or other smaller venue.
... or the odd Friday night karaoke blitz in my house
I was thinking of putting together my own PA set with 2 speakers, a woofer, and a mixing panel.
This is perhaps not the thread for this, we can make a new one if needed.
All the best,
Ben