Turbinates

I really enjoyed Tuesdays open mic night at The Pig And Fiddle. For some reason I had been looking forward to it all day and then, as the night developed, my expectations were met with an array of brilliant and entertaining acts. Unfortunately I could not name a single one of them but sets ranged from covers to original singer/songwriters and even contemporary and jazz solo guitar pieces.

My set went OK, but was definitely lacking in something. I seem to be getting uptight during my performances at the moment. I'm not concentrating on my breathing and am struggling to complete lines, put power and emotion into phrases and sometimes hit sustained high notes. It's nothing major - I still feel my performances are coming across well but I know I'm not quite hitting the standard I can, and perhaps have done before.

I'm putting this down to three main reasons:

1. I desperately want to start collaborating with some other musicians. My thoughts are no longer consumed with my solo work but with how I can develop my songwriting and performance with others. I think this comes across as me performing in a slightly detached manner, not putting my heart and soul into what I'm playing.


2. I haven't been practising so much recently. When I moved here I was practising all day every day and that resulted in some good performances. Simple - practise = greatness.


3. Hay fever. I think I am starting to suffer with hay fever this summer in that my turbinates inside my nose are swollen making breathing feel restrained. It kinda feels like I have a cold but without the funny voice. I do think it is affecting my technique though and the way that I deliver some of my lines.

So my plan is - Firstly to practise. I need to master performing my songs again. I figure that this will also help reinstate the pride I have in my work when I perform it fantastically. It may even lead to someone wanting to work with me on some wonderful music. And I guess the hay fever thing I will just have to put up with for the rest of the summer. It isn't so bad.