Update with the Carnival Band

Turns out the Jan 20th gig fortuitously turned out to be not my first guitar gig with the Carnival Band, but last night at the El Cocal on Commercial Drive was.

The gig is part of the monthly event put on by the Cocal hostess Elizabeth and the band and is often used to bring in new members. The stage at El Cocal is commonly termed "cosy" especially with about 20 members in the band. Without the room for a music stand in front I had to keep my back permanently to the side of the audience, apart from the few songs I knew without the music to guide me.

Judging volume is tough. Whilst I have more than enough power to drown out the whole band on my 70 watt Fender Roc-Pro amp, I spent the night controlling the volume on my guitar, something that I have not had to do during practice.

Standing in the same place for the three sets proved tough by the end of the night, but not as hard as I thought it might be; there is little or no room to move on stage, which does not help. The one solo I managed to squeeze out was fraught with "issues", but out it went nonetheless, next time will be better.

More practice is certainly needed, keeping up with the sight reading will be a challenge. The chords are getting easier to play and I find my left hand automatically moving in to place without too much premeditation. [I guess the guitar lessons are paying off].

I've included a pic taken by band leader Dan Vie, I look solemn, so does everyone else.