Mike IversonMusic, clawhammer banjo, and more...

Music, clawhammer banjo, and more...

Just how stressful can 45 seconds be?


Two stressful gigs in one week!

First the Thursday show with Brenn Hill, and then yesterday morning I received a call from a wedding in need of a solo mandolinist. Apparently the bride’s only request was the theme from the movie “Corelli’s Mandolin” to use as her processional music. I was tempted to pass on this gig but knew they wouldn’t be able to find another mandolinist at the last minute and I didn’t want to let down the bride.

St Joseph
I downloaded the song and proceeded to transcribe the piece. I soon realized I might be in over my head; a meter that kept shifting between 6/4 and 4/4, difficult fingerings, and a melody that bordered on the atonal. I arrived at St. Joseph’s this morning, set up my Fishman solo amp (which is an awesome small PA system), and slipped into a back room to practice. It didn’t help my confidence that the prelude music was being nailed by a great string quartet, a fabulous organist was following me, and the person who booked me (the brother of the bride) plays for the Utah Symphony!

Fortunately the Lord took pity on the bride and helped me get through the song without any noticeable mistakes. Her brother made my day when he told me the bride broke into tears when she heard my mandolin!. I told him that a miracle had just taken place and was considering converting to Catholicism!

I know this type of gig helps me grow as a musician, but it gives me a few new grey hairs each time I take one on...
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