Dear Stewart, I couldn't agree with you more. Particularly about getting the beer in the Pub. As you know I've not performed on the lute in public (which should be considered a great benefit to the public), but have done a bit of time "on stage". The fellow performers will be more worried about their own perceived mistakes. And those of the audience who loved you, if just for performing, don't care. And those who are critical would be critical of anyone, as that is their nature. To them I'd give "answer 3" - "I find xxxioni's interpretation of this piece too slow/too fast, or mis-read". Then go for your beer. Those who enjoyed it need no excuses, and those who didn't listen to the song but only heard the technical details don't deserve an excuse (let them play it). And one last thing, if you really blow a piece then stop - make a really big smile - and say I'm starting this over so you can hear it properly. The good people will love that, and the critics would be critics anyway.
Best, Jon > I have a couple of comments on the question of what to say to people > after a performance: > > 1) To other performers: Nothing. No post mortems, no criticisms, > nothing. Pack your stuff away, get to the pub for a beer, and talk > about things other than music. If there was anything during a > performance which really warrants discussion, you can save it for > next time you meet. > > 2) To members of the audience: If someone praises you, say, "Thank > you. I'm pleased you enjoyed the performance." Do not mention > mistakes, or other things which might have been of concern to the > player. They are of no concern to the audience. Talking to a member > of the audience is rather like an extension to the programme - a > sort of encore - so you have to be positive. It's OK to say, "It's > lovely playing the lute in this 16th-century building with wood > panelling on the walls, because the acoustic is so nice and > resonant." It's not OK to say, "It might have sounded better, if > there weren't all those lousy carpets and curtains soaking up the > sound." > > Best wishes, > > Stewart McCoy. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charles Browne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Candace Magner" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: "Lautenliste" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:03 PM > Subject: RE: Being gracious as a performer. > > > > I think we should provide the audience with a copy of the music! I > went into > > one festival, playing classical guitar, and the adjudicator said > of my > > performance " that was a wonderful piece of music you played, > unfortunately > > it bore no resemblance to the copy you handed in to me earlier!" > > best wishes > > Charles Browne > > > > > >
