Acoustic Wedding Songs and general terror

SatanIsMyMotor

So my sister is getting married this June and she's asked me (gulp) to play the music at her wedding. This means ALL the music. She doesn't want any organ, just acoustic guitar.

Now, I'm both honored and horrified to be doing this. I would say I'm an amateur guitarist at best (been playing for about 9 years but I'm self-taught and don't know a lot of theory) but I know that I'm a good singer. Anywho, I have a MASSIVE issue with playing in front of people (even one person) but I've managed to do it a few times in the past (the biggest being to a crowd of 700 or so people). Any tips on dealing with the stage fright? So far I'm sticking with "This is something she wants on her day so I need to man up", but that might not hold me over.

The songs she's requested I play are:

Time - Chantal Kreviazuk
Crash - Dave Matthews
I'll Be - Edwin Mccain
Wedding Dress - some guy who's name escapes me (Derrick Webb maybe?)
Daughters - John Mayer

But she's also told me she's open to my own suggestions as I am slightly more of a music buff than her. So far I've recommended a few Decemberists tunes (Crane Wife 1, 2, &3) and I've decided I'm going to surprise her by playing her the Dave Matthew's song "Sister" which I think she'll love.

Basically, I'm looking towards you all for some more suggestions. I'm going to be playing with a friend so the pieces can have two parts but it would help if they aren't too complex (ie: I'm not that great and I don't want to mess up and ruin her wedding). Any ideas?

Fibretip

if she likes I'll be.... you should totally play Could Not Ask For More.

DrFrylock

You should play "For My Wedding" by Larry John McNally. Although it was written by him, the most famous version of it is by Don Henley on his "Inside Job" album. It's quite easy to play (get the chords online and then improvise some simple fingerpicking), is solo acoustic, and is very modern-weddingy.

mastman

I think at the last 100 or so weddings I've been to, Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamikaowlwoeldowoeldoowowolololl version has ALWAYS been played. It's acoustic

Crimsonmonkey

Rise Against - Swing Life Away

Sinter

You know what song you have to play? "Storybook Love" by Mark Knopfler. I know you've heard it, even if you haven't heard OF it. It's that awesome acoustic theme from The Princess Bride.

I only mention it because at my friends recent wedding, that was the song they played as the bride walked down the aisle, and damn if I didn't wipe back a tear... that is one beautiful song!

Grundlestiltskin

SatanIsMyMotor wrote: »

Anywho, I have a MASSIVE issue with playing in front of people (even one person) but I've managed to do it a few times in the past (the biggest being to a crowd of 700 or so people). Any tips on dealing with the stage fright?

Picture everybody in your underwear.


Seriously though, there aren't any surefire ways to deal with stage fright. I've found that when I pretend nobody else is there I relax a bit, but everyone is different.

SatanIsMyMotor

This is great so far guys. Lots of stuff for me to look at/listen to. Keep em coming if you can. Thanks!

Blake T

I found the best way to get over stage fright is focus on how excited you are rather than focus on how scared you are.

You could also try preforming these songs at an open mike night just to get into the grove of performing in public.

deadonthestreet

The Mountain Goats play a lot of really awesome, beautiful acoustic guitar songs.

Where are you from? They have lots of place-specific songs.

virgilsamms

I recently played Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol with a couple of other guys (bass + second guitar) during the signing of the register and it went down very well. As for stage fright, it just takes time to get used to performing in front of lots of people. Sounds like you've already got some experience which is good - I'd say try to get some more, play open mic nights (edit: like Blaket said) or for your friends or whatever. Get to the stage where the nervousness doesn't affect your voice. Also remember that *everyone* screws things up in performance, plays wrong notes/chords, sings out of key, even if they are fantastically talented. Don't feel that crushing sense of failure if you screw up, just move straight on, it happens. Most people wont even notice unless you make a big deal out of it.

Zifnab

The best way I've ever found to deal with stage fright is to get out and play for people as often as possible. Going to see your parents tonight? Play 'em a tune. Drag your friends over every Thursday and make them listen to you for 15 minutes. Hit every open mic night you can find between now and the wedding. Sit out on the street and play a set. Every time you play for people, it gets a little easier, and eventually it won't be such a big deal. You might still be scared shitless (I know I am..) but you're used to it, you can deal with it, and you can keep it under control. Good luck!

ChopperDave

I think as far as Decemberists songs go, "Red Right Ankle" is far and away the most beautiful acoutic song you'll find. Trust me on this one. Whenever my girl friends hear this song - played by Decemberists or covered by me - it makes them rather teary.

"Remember the Mountain Bed" by Wilco + Billy Bragg (and words by Woody Guthrie) is an absolutely gorgeous song to play, especially if you can get a pianist to play with you.

"First Day Of My Life" by Bright Eyes would be appropriate, I think.

"My Favorite Chords" by the Weakerthans, maybe?

edit:

"Cannonball" by Damien Rice is popular with a lot of my girl friends, too.