5-8-25
“Prep Talks”
A week ago, in preparation to begin contacting a few local and regional venue owners, I attempted to arrange a suitable set for performing instrumental guitar to create three short demonstration videos. Most of what I learned I have known for decades. 1) I don’t look good on camera. 2) I don’t feel comfortable on camera. 3) As soon as I hit the record button, I anticipate missing a note or chord, etc. 4) I bought the wrong camera for creating solo instrumental video. 5) I lack the necessary confidence to create video. 6) I lack the desire to hire local video professionals to help me create three short music performance demonstration videos.
Over the course of a year or two, I have discovered YouTube. I also realized that YouTube is my One Stop for everything–not just great Bach guitar and lute, traditional Japanese koto and shamisen and other types of music I can spend hours absorbing. Need to learn which recording and performing gear is best for your current needs? Find reviews on YouTube. Need to learn how to set up your own guitars? Find instruction videos on YouTube. Need to know how other solo performers deal with everything we need to remember as guitarists? Find seasoned giggers on YouTube.
There are a few solo singer/guitarists who have really inspired me the last several months as I have prepared my set list for future performance. I especially admire how they talk to the camera as if there is no camera. I call my audio podcasts “one-on-one chit chats.” Audio is my medium. However, I realize that video is everywhere. In order to introduce myself to potential clients (venue owners), I would rather make appointments to speak with them face-to-face than deal with the hassles of setting up for video, editing video or even a simple Zoom conference. During Covid, (before retiring from teaching SPED), I became accustomed to video instruction and video conferencing, however I always had my camera off.
The last few days, I have finally found video explaining a field I have pondered for at least a decade–Sync. Last night, I binged on several sync related videos. One video in particular caused a light bulb to go off in my head. How I, video adversive me might feel comfortable on camera. This morning I awoke brainstorming a few short videos I will attempt soon. As a teaser, I am calling the videos “Prep Talks” as in Pep Talks. So, although the camera I bought doesn’t work for the way I need to record instrumental guitar performance video, it may be perfect for these Prep Talks. These videos will make a small number of people more familiar with how I think and what I hope to accomplish as a musician. In other words, I am not looking to go viral. I am looking to make several very strong business relationships over the next year. These videos will prepare potential clients for working with me. They will answer such questions as, “How does Pam communicate with colleagues and clients?” “How does Pam meet a client half way?” “How does Pam make the client’s job seem easier?”
What to expect in these “Prep Talks” videos is an idea what it is like to sit next to me or across the table from me. In some cases, they may feel like teacher and student videos. Ultimately, they should help me build the relationships necessary to do real business as a performing musician, a recording musician, and possibly a concert video musician. Please note that I am not attempting to find a reason to go on tour–only to perform in my home state and possibly the states North and South of me–two-hour sets–possibly two days in a row. I would even consider three, four and five nighters in the right space.
I must also mention that though I love my current residence, it is less than adequate in some ways for the type of video I hope to create. No matter what time of day or evening I attempt to record, viewers will likely hear squeaky floor boards above me, loud car engines in the parking lot or up and down the nearby street, a door slamming at just the right moment, a dog barking at just the right moment, and wall thumping at just the right moment, because certain types of neighbors have nothing better to do than listen through the walls all day . . .
Possible Titles for Upcoming “Prep Talks” Videos:
“Pam Brandis for Venue Owners”
“Pam Brandis for Sync Agents and Supervisors”
“Pam Brandis for Fellow Musicians”
“Pam Brandis for Family, Friends and Fans”