Preparing for the Rally

[mazz]

I didn't mean to imply that one should be mute the entire time!

I went a bit extreme to hopefully make the point that a person will be more interested in you if you show genuine interest in them rather than trying to make them like you by hyping yourself to them. Since they probably won't have heard your music before they actually meet you, it's the personal touch that will probably make the most memorable impression. Then when and if they do hear your music, it will mean more at that point.

Of course you will ask questions of the mentor, that goes without saying, abut it's the quality of your listening as they answer that will give the most bang for your buck. If you're rehearsing the next impressive thing you're going to say as they are answering your question, are you really listening to them?

If you do decide to bring a CD, make sure it's your absolute best stuff. Sometimes it might be a better strategy to leave the CD at home and come and learn where the bar is and how to present it so that when you do pull it out, it's ready and you feel 100% confident in what you are handing out.

My friend and co-worker Robbie, who wrote that letter to TAXI that came out in the last newsletter, spent a ton of time and energy (and a bit of money) on his materials and basically didn't go to at least one Road Rally because he thought he wasn't ready. When he finally did come last year, he found out that he basically did some aspects of that backwards, because he learned that some of the things he did either weren't necessary, or were flat out wrong for what he was trying to accomplish. I tried nicely to let him know that the Rally is more about learning what is necessary to be ready than it is about being ready and waiting until then to attend. But he did come and he learned a lot and he will be there again this year. One has to begin where they are, and the Rally is about learning, first and foremost (IMO). I believe that the opportunities will present themselves when the person is ready for them, and one of the main things the Rally is about is learning how to be ready when the opportunities come.

So come as you are!

Mazz

[Casey H]

Hi
In terms of listening more and being less "me, me, me", I was referring to people you meet by chance- lobby, bars elevators, restaurants, hotel common areas, etc... If you are at your mentor session, that's a little different.

Casey

[dynamicalan]

Hi Mazz,

I think this is a great post. I will read it carefully and I will get a lot out of it.

I admit I have thought about getting my bass chops up for the jam sessions and any open mics if I play on any. I don't think I will help out with the open mics as that would require preparation. I don't plan on doing my own because I am not skilled in a piano or guitar.

I noticed you are from SanFrancisco. I was wondering if you were there between 1978 and 1982 when I was there.

Sincerely,

Alan Warrick

I didn't mean to imply that one should be mute the entire time!

I went a bit extreme to hopefully make the point that a person will be more interested in you if you show genuine interest in them rather than trying to make them like you by hyping yourself to them. Since they probably won't have heard your music before they actually meet you, it's the personal touch that will probably make the most memorable impression. Then when and if they do hear your music, it will mean more at that point.

Of course you will ask questions of the mentor, that goes without saying, abut it's the quality of your listening as they answer that will give the most bang for your buck. If you're rehearsing the next impressive thing you're going to say as they are answering your question, are you really listening to them?

If you do decide to bring a CD, make sure it's your absolute best stuff. Sometimes it might be a better strategy to leave the CD at home and come and learn where the bar is and how to present it so that when you do pull it out, it's ready and you feel 100% confident in what you are handing out.

My friend and co-worker Robbie, who wrote that letter to TAXI that came out in the last newsletter, spent a ton of time and energy (and a bit of money) on his materials and basically didn't go to at least one Road Rally because he thought he wasn't ready. When he finally did come last year, he found out that he basically did some aspects of that backwards, because he learned that some of the things he did either weren't necessary, or were flat out wrong for what he was trying to accomplish. I tried nicely to let him know that the Rally is more about learning what is necessary to be ready than it is about being ready and waiting until then to attend. But he did come and he learned a lot and he will be there again this year. One has to begin where they are, and the Rally is about learning, first and foremost (IMO). I believe that the opportunities will present themselves when the person is ready for them, and one of the main things the Rally is about is learning how to be ready when the opportunities come.

So come as you are!

Mazz

[mazz]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for reading!

I was in the Pacific Northwest in the years you mention, specifically Washington and Oregon. I've only been in SF for 10 years, the bay area for 14, although I am a native Californian, a rare bird, I'm afraid!

See you soon!

Mazz

[dynamicalan]

Hi John,

I sometimes get a little self conscious about posts I do that are a little off topic. I ask many people I meet that because during those days I played bass in the band, Ocean Express, around the bay. It was when I was on active duty service (USN). It doesn't apply to you, but we touched on Portland OR during the 80s in a 3 week tour we did in the west outside California we called the New Mexico Tour. San Francisco is a great town. If I had to pick a place to move to It would be the bay area.

See ya at the Rally,

Alan

[roland]

This will be my first Rally, and these posts couldn't be more helpful...
Thanks so much, Casey, Vikki and John!
Robbie's letter was definitely huge for me, as I did have the mentality that I might skip the Rally this year because I "wasn't ready," but that I would prepare (based totally on guesswork) and be ready for next year.
I'm incredibly happy that I didn't make the huge mistake of skipping the Rally and wasting a year!

[Grace Note]

Wow! What wonderful information on preparing for the Rally! This information is sooo helpful! Thank you everyone!
Mazz I love your "Bring an open mind and a closed mouth." quote. I'd like to borrow that for my Rally mantra. I'm also a forum newbie, so I'm not sure about posting, etc. In keeping with my new mantra I'll stop here.

[dynamicalan]

Hi Grace Note,

welcome aboard. The people on here are pretty nice and helpful so it's OK to post.

Take Care,

Alan

[dynamicalan]

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you have been to the mentor lunches. What are they like. Is there something you wish you had asked or wish you haven't said?

Alan