Right now I am feeling excited, anxious, and a bit overwhelmed by this live-streaming trend. I have done livestream concerts via Facebook for years - ever since I could no longer work - but jumping into this regular Twitch streaming world has been exhilirating. It has also been extremely intimidating.
I jump into this world of fantastic musicians who seem to have everything figured out.
Despite music being an integral part of everything I do, there are MANY parts of this new-to-me music world that I am just now beginning to learn. I go onto Twitch and I see musicians who can play multiple instruments, who have all of the apps and the music programs required for professional mixing and tuning, using looping pedals, harmonizing pedals, drum machines, backtracks, and all of this technology that I have never featured in my performances. I didn't even finish digitizing my music list until last month What I have been doing is simple piano accompaniment to my vocals. That's it. No fancy effects or tracks.
I want to change that! I want to expand my repertoire to include more upbeat songs that have a drum track behind it. I want to be able to strum the ukulele well enough to change it up a bit and increase my musical skills in every way possible. I want to do some basic recording, with a few effects and a decent sound.
But here's the thing: I can't just go out and buy a drum machine or a looper on a whim. It is going to take a lot of time, saving money, and a TON of practice. I also can't just turn on a program and inherently know what to do. I have a LOT to learn.
I DO have some good recording software, which is a major bonus. So - since a drum machine is out of reach for now - I have been creating my own drum loops within this software. Now, I am not a drummer. Nowhere near. I have never really sat down and learned all of the different drum heads and the sounds that they make, let alone the technique to play them, so I am going off of other drum loops and drum tracks that I hear in the background of songs.
Of course a drum machine would be easier - you plug it in, pick a loop, change the tempo, and go! BUT, even if I could afford one right now, I only have a two channel Audiobox, which is being used by the keyboard and the microphone, so I would have nowhere to plug it into anyways.
So I will continue to slowly make drum loops and save them as 6 or 7 different speeds for each loop.
Slow, but still progress!
With this progress, I am finally learning this software with the hands-on approach. I had already read through and made notes on the entire user manual, and now I am putting it into action. Only problem? Apparently I do not have a MIDI cable! What kind of home musician doesn't have a MIDI cable?! Me. That's who. Luckily, those are inexpensive, so I have ordered one!! My Audiobox and my keyboard both have MIDI inputs and outputs, so hopefully that will be a relatively easy technical process, even for a newbie.
Even that though, is a slower progression. Due to my immunosuppression and trying to stay out of stores, it's not as though I can just walk into a music store and get what I need and come home. I mean, I *could* do that, but if I can avoid it during Covid, then I will avoid it. And to eliminate the shipping costs, it means I will receive the cable within 2-3 weeks. On one hand, I would love to have the cable right this second so that I can start playing around with all of the software. On the other hand, it will likely take me those 2-3 weeks to come up with enough drum loops and backtracks to add to my repertoire and learn the program a bit better. So the wait is not that big of a deal.
The vocal looper/harmonizer is on my list of contraptions I need to save for. This particular pedal I have done some research on and there are specific features that my performance will require for me to get the best use out of it. What does that mean? $$$. It means cutting down on other expenses for several months with that specific goal in mind. Plus, I have never worked with an effects pedal, so that will likely be another steep learning curve.
All of this is on top of trying to learn the ukulele, trying to learn the newer music from the past few years, expanding my repertoire, practicing and improving my piano and vocals, writing brand new music, learning about branding, networking, attempting to livestream regularly, and (you know) having a life outside of music as well, all with the energy and health of an elderly individual.
So I take it day by day. I make sure to do one musical thing each day - however small.
Last night I spent a good hour just going back and forth between three chords on the ukulele while watching tv (man are my fingers sore today!)
Today was not a good day health-wise, so I listened to some streamers that I enjoy and made a set list for my next stream. That's it. That is all that I can physically manage today. My brain is going hundreds of miles a minute with plans and goals, but my body shut down those ideas today.
I was really hoping to do an A Cappella Kitchen episode or even a full stream later this evening, but my body just is not having it.
Slow.
Today is a rest day - with little moments of music sprinkled in. Progress is still progress, no matter how difficult or slow. And as overwhelming as this new venture has been, it includes doing something that I love and sharing it with the world. Not to mention the fact that I have been able to virtually meet some outstanding musicians in the process.
2020 was *supposed* to be my year of music, when I doubled-down on my focus and did some song-writing, home recording, and everything else encompassing music. I guess it was delayed a year - like so many other things.
Above all - I love My Musical Life - even when I always feel like I am playing catch-up.
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