It's been a long time since I last visited this blog site because I've been busy for this past couple of months at work and on my band. What I love about being a band member is going to places I have never been to like recently, we've been to another island for a beer plaza, a gathering where the audience are drinking beer while watching us perform. There are times they are also allowed to sing with the band if they want to as long as the band can play the song piece.
Above: At the top load of Jeepney going to Pioduran port where we ride a boat to Claveria, Masbate.Below: On a boat to the Island of Rapurapu.
Being on a group of musicians or in a band is not an easy thing to do. If you are employed in a company, they require you to work 8 hours or more in a day like 8am to 5pm. In a band, you usually work at night during performances until dawn, lucky you are if the management wants to close early.
Like call center agents, you work at night and rest during the day. In my case, I work during the day and this 'band' thing is just a sideline at night, it's what we call another "income generating activity". Sometimes I have to take a leave of absence just to perform for a festival or party. The good thing here is that you are paid higher than your salary, for just a few hours of performance. So its worth my absence, not bad at all.
My band Devils Lake (above) performing on stage back to back with Rhymics Band (below).
Maybe if given the chance to work abroad in a band I will grab that opportunity because I really want to go places and meet different people, know their cultures and beliefs like we Filipinos. I want to experience living in a different location, different seasons, and adapt to their climate. I always wanted to do something different but I do not expect these dreams will happen, I think I'll have to wait for the right time. But, like I've said, if given the chance now, why not?
Devils Lake enjoying the wonders of nature.
My group is good in terms of camaraderie and sound chemistry though we're not that really good at all. Even the best bands or the most experienced bands tell us that you cannot please everybody. Every place and everyone in there has its own song favorites and that's the challenge every band must face; you must know what the music people wants to hear from you and you should play that to them so they will love you and praise you for that. Otherwise, they will hate you or make you feel like you don't belong here, or go away, leave now.. something like that. But because of that, it urges us to practice more and learn new songs, songs that we're not able to play, songs that people love, their favorites, old and new.
I'm not that good in playing musical instruments, but I tell you, I can play piano/keyboard, drums, guitar, bass, flute, harmonica and percussion instruments. I don't know how to read notes on a piano piece, and never studied music. I can sing also but my voice doesn't seem to follow the tone I want to express.That is why I'd rather be silent at the corner than ruin the feels of the music. Am I really a musician? You tell me.
Nice.
ReplyDelete