Ok, tonight is the night! I will be playing “Be Thou My Vision” with Walden at his church! It’ll be very plain, no ornamentation or anything, (mainly because I don’t know how to do any ornamentation!)
Any encouragement would be appreciated, but I would mainly love to hear about your personal experiences when you first started playing and your first performances.
I’m sure I’ll enjoy anything you write! I’ll check back in here tonight afterward and give you an update.
Kim
Kim, I’m confident you’ll do very well! I’ll say a prayer for you. You can’t go wrong, though, because your effort is for God. He rewards intentions and valiant efforts. As to first performances, mine was four days ago, for a 3 month old baby, who seemed to enjoy it. Other than that, you’re waaaayyy ahead of me! I’ll put my signature quote back on just for this one post.
Hi Kim,
My first time to play in public was 2 years ago at a Borders bookstore. The couple I
was playing with had been together for 8 years and their band had just broken up and they asked ME to sit in and play 5 little
tunes with them. I was soooo scared I
had a stomach ache, a head ache, and didn’t
think I could survive such an event. I had my songs scored-out on tiny little 3 x 5 cards and put them on my lap so I could just look down and not see anyone. Even shaking
as badly as I was, I managed to get thru them
and now when I listen to the tape, I didn’t sound any worse than any other time since, that I have played in public…51 paid shows. So you will be nervous and you might
squeek unless you REALLY pay attention and be
very careful, ha ha
Just try to “sing” the song when you play i.e. play as beautifully as you possible can
and it will echo around the big building and sound like you are an angel…thats what
my “boss” told me after that first time…I
sounded like an angel!! ha ha
Good luck, and I hope this is the start of
many more performances by you.
Lolly
Kim:
Congrats! The first time is always really exciting, isn’t it?
I’ve been playing a long time, and have really never had any fear about playing in ‘public’…at street corners, renaissance fairs, or while waiting in line. The first time I ever played with my band, though, I was nervous as all get out…weird! But, I was exhilarated, too. With time, the nerves go away, but most of the time, the exhiliration stays..and that’s part of what makes performing so addicting 
Here’s wishing you a wonderful performance, and I hope you get the chance to have many more.
Greg
I should add that Walden is playing too…he is playing a low D, I believe and we’re doing a duet. I have to get there an hour early to practice.
My biggest concern at this point is running out of the house without my whistle!
Kim
On 2002-06-30 16:37, Kim in Tulsa wrote:
I should add that Walden is playing too..
OH NO!! You didn’t say that before!! You’re in trouble now! Get out while you can!
Naw, you’re in good hands… besides, he’ll probably have an extra whistle lying around if you forget yours.
I’m feeling with you. Before a performance, I am always trembling, but only until the first or second tone springs from the whistle. I hope you will share this experience with me. Two days ago, I had my first performance in front of people who had payed 10 Euro (about $10) to hear me. And I think that people, when paying, have a right to expect a decently played tune. That’s what made me really nervous. But then, I always find reasons to be nervous someone is around while I play.
Anyhow, tell us how you got through it and if you also experienced that warm, triumphant feeling once the playing is over.
I’m sure people will appreciate your playing.
Wilfried
Wonderful! You go Girl! 
I’m sure you’ll do great, and after you perform in public for the first time, any other time after that is a piece of cake. (at least, that’s the way it is with me…)
Just remember to relax, and let the music flow from your fingers like water from a tap… (that’s what my Mom says to me before I perform, and it always helps me to relax)
Good luck!
Speaking of which, I’d better go get ready, if I’m to make it an hour early.
Kim,
Play from the heart,
Such always fits,
holy places.
Hoping those gathered
Enjoy Your Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2002-06-30 20:55 ] 12 words and I still had to correct my spelling
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2002-06-30 20:57 ]
Kim, Really hard for me to tell you about my first time playing in public - I started on clarinet in fourth grade in public school, so I’ve been playing in public one way or another for quite a while.
When I started playing in worship four or five years ago, after some time away, I was very tentative, quite nervous, and would have preferred to play somewhere without being seen. (Don’t really remember the first time, but it was like that for quite a while.) First started playing whistle in this environment about a year ago, and it’s taken some time to gain confidence here, as well. I find that there are many times when I play way beyond my own ability.
I hope all went well for you tonight, and that it will be only the beginning of your playing to the glory of the One Who created music. May He attune your ear and bring you to play in beautiful accord with others.
Oh gosh, Kim…I had forgotten alla bout this and now I’m blushing just to recall my first public performance. I hadn’t been playing long and I was going to make my debut at our Scottish Society. We had just eaten a big meal (a real no-no before whistling) …it was a stormy night and my whistle squeeked and sqwauked. I could have crawled in a hole. I’m happy to report I’ve played for them since and they’re learning to tolerate me. Now they’re going to have to suffer thru my fiddling debut. 
I’m sure you did well tonight! Gm
Make a joyful noise!
[ This Message was edited by: Grannymouse on 2002-06-30 22:46 ]
Perhaps Kim will start a new thread, post-service. They got a photo of us.
Well, I just got in from tonight’s service. Kim played beautifully. They also asked us to play Amazing Grace, which sounded magnificent. The pastor asked her to play a third number, but she declined.
After service, when Kim and her family had already left out of the church, I could still hear people talking about how beautiful the whistle music was. I hope we can play together again.
Well, considering how nervous I was, I think it went off pretty well! My whistle seemed to stuck right at first and nothing would go through, but I just plowed on through and it seemed to clear.
I made a couple or three little mistakes, nothing to make me want to throw up my hands and quit. I just kept playing. I almost floated away during Amazing Grace, just opened up my heart and let it praise Him. Wonderful!!
Even my husband (who hates my whistle) was pleased and had a really good time. Walden’s church was very nice and friendly and wanted us to come back!
Here’s a picture. If it’s too big, I’ll take it off and just put the link.
This will go away in a couple of days, so here’s the link anyway…
http://public.fotki.com/2jedismom/various_pictures/two_whistles.html
Kim
Hi Kim,
So glad it worked out well for you and you can do more church playing. My husband hates
my practicing too, but likes the live shows,
so there is hope there for you too.
Lolly
yea, Kim, I’m happy for you! I’ve thought about playing at my church, but I don’t think I’m quite that good yet…maybe if I can get one of my friends to play a guitar or violin along w/ me
(also glad to hear that you can still have a relationship w/ someone who is not fond of your whistle - my boyfriend is not overly fond of mine, I don’t think! but maybe there’s hope for us afterall )
Oh, I forgot to tell you all…when we first started practicing, Walden was throwing in all these nice but intimidating extra notes! It sounded lovely and once I got used to it, I just played it plain and his extra stuff just added to the tune in such a nice way!
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s experiences. Thank you all for the encouragement and for taking time to share a bit about yourselves!
Kim
Congratulations Kim & Walden! =) What songs did you two play together?
We are planing a “special music” song for our church to introduce the whistle and could use some ideas. We have a whistler, flute, acoustic guitar and bagpiper all lined up.
Gary
Gary wrote:
Congratulations Kim & Walden! =) What songs did you two play together?
Be Thou My Vision (Slane) and
Amazing Grace (New Britain)
Who made your low D whistle, Walden? Maybe I could get one for my husband? It might convince him that the whistle playing isn’t so bad?
K