Topic: Open Mic TRAIN WRECK!!!

[eagle rockin daddy]

I used to have terrible stage fright, and then I had 2 teenage daughters.  I figger that I've already made as much of a fool of myself in front of them as anywhere, so what's to worry at an open mic?

I also had huge issues with 'why am I doing this?'  "What do I have to offer?'  "Why would anyone be interested in anything I might do?'

Personally, I found the answer to these questions in a book called 'the Artist's Way'.  this book is a course in creativity, and it takes a spiritual view of these issues.  A short summary of some of it, is that we are all given gifts, and when we share these gifts with others we open a channel to the.....(insert whatever works for you)...and give thanks for these gifts as well as increase the idea that we really are all one, and create a feeling of community for a short period of time.

I've done some open mics though, and after a while they get tiresome.  You gotta hang around for hours sometimes, get to play 2 or three songs, and usually no one seems to be listening.  OTOH, you never know who you might meet, and what the night will bring.  I do think though, that there are benefits to performing now and again so that if the opportunity ever arises for a really nice gig, you know you can pull it off.  For instance, I've been granted the oppurtunity to sing 2 songs and give a brief remembrance of my old mentor and friend Utah Phillips at the Old Songs Festival.  this is a big deal to me, as I was fortunate enough to know him well in my teens, and I couldn't get to his service in Ca.  Because of the work I've done, I am comfortable with my understanding of performance, and i know I can do a good job.  So for me, even though I gig hardly at all, when I do get the occasional chance to do something really meaningful, I like knowing I'm prepared for those rare and wonderful gifts.

And yes, Paul Asbell is a fabulous teacher.  I studied with him for about a year, and besides being a wiz with technical skills, he is great at discussing issues related to performance.  Some of my favorite lessons dealt with these issues, and we never played a note on our guitars.  Blue, the offer for Mississippi Blues is good anytime.

Mike

[Blue in VT]

 

WOW!!!  I'm very greatefull for all the support and great suggestions...I really appreciate it.  It is gratifying to know that others have battled through this as well...or continue to do so...hehe.

I'm going to implement as many of these suggestions as possible....and I'll keep you updated!!!

Eagle Rockin Daddy....I'm totaly up for Mississippi Blues....Lets find a time that works!

Cheers,

Chris

[Mr.OMuck]

've been granted the oppurtunity to sing 2 songs and give a brief remembrance of my old mentor and friend Utah Phillips at the Old Songs Festival

Mike, I bought this guitar from Bruce at Lena's in 1971 or 72. Nice to have a bit of him around.

[ArthurBlake]

Blue --

I feel for ya

Just remember the old saying, sh*t happens sometimes, no mater how prepared you are...

I do agree with Mr. O muck about really thinking about what your motives are for playing at open mics or performing in public.


A long time ago, I gave up playing open mic nights mostly because most folks have no clue who Blind Boy Fuller, Big Bill, etc.. is or was.

So my hoping that they would appreciate the way I play a tune became an unrealistic goal.

Worse yet, was when I got comments that my version did not much sound like Claptons at all.... DUH.

Secondary to my decision was the poor amplification systems most places have.

I now hunt out folks in my area that play similar music and we have gatherings at houses to compare tunes, comments, etc....

Post a note at your local guitar store that you are looking to do informal jams and if needed be specific in the type of music.

Hang out in the local park and play your music... dem folks that like it will gather... it will give you more practice for performing in public.

Dave

Yeah Dave, I could really relate to the, "because most folks have no clue who Blind Boy Fuller, Big Bill, etc.. is or was.",
statement, some folk 'round here go "woohooo" when I name Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters, but that seems to be as far as their blues knowledge goes, (NSW Aust), always bothers me although I know it should be expected,
   I think everyone has their own horror stories, apparently Robert Johnson had his share too, for me its always been the sound whether acoustic or electric, solo or in band. As for acoustic, I've never had a guitar that I was satisfied with, I have a good ear, but always seem to have trouble tuning when there is a lot of noise about (there always is), these are just some of the things many of have to contend with,, you either keep plugging away,, or you give it away.
     I will never give it away, and it has gotten easier to the point where I am comfortable, even in the most uncomfortable settings, I have decided to give up on pickups as I hate hearing my guitar sound anything even slightly electric when playing country blues (or downhome blues if you prefer),, its the percussive aspect that I need to hear, and that wooden tone,, after all, its all they had when this music was in its prime. I met John Hammond Jr at a festival not long ago and after chatting with him, I am looking for two good mics for that purpose, and hope to buy a Gilet OO guitar (about the best possible guitar for this music around here) asap,,,,, I always find a great guitar inspires me, anyway I'm done for the moment, and thanks to Mr Hammond, whose harmonica playing that day was fantastic,,, he just seems to get better and a great bloke too.

[sofingraw]

I come with a story of redemption:

About 6 weeks ago, I went to an open mic and had a 'train wreck', or 'horror story', if you will.

I went to the venue early to check the place out, and meet with the guy running the sound and to generally get the scoop. I told him I wasn't sure if I was going to play or not, and that I would let him know. I had a beer or two, then decided that I didn't bring my guitar all the way here for nothing! I got on the list.

At this place, you get 3 songs. I chose to play 3 songs that I love very much, and which aren't usually too difficult for me, as arranged; Key to the Highway, Pony Blues, and Trouble in Mind. I didn't rehearse for this, or decide the songs before I got there, however. I just figured, 'I play these all the time!'

This was my 3rd public performance in total, with the other 2 being open mics with a friend of mine, where we played electric, and played together. I was able to hide, and let him drive. He did well, and I survived, I'd say.

This was a whole new ballgame, as I found out. Solo Acoustic. Nowhere to hide! So, I'm in the middle of the evening, and most everyone has been great so far, but not TOO great. I'm definitely nervous, but I feel up to it, regardless.

My name is announced, I get up on stage, get situated, and get my acoustic electric plugged in. I'm ready. I begin to play Key to the Highway, get about 3-4 strums in, then: (FEEEEDBACKKKKK)

(What was that!? MY GOD!) Just keep playing(FEEEEEEEDBACKKKKK) (Oh no!)

Dave, the sound man and emcee, is busy trying his best to help me out, and he is adjusting the vocals and guitar up and down, (mostly down) in an attempt to get rid of the electronic devilment. He succeeds, for the most part, but by now,  I am shook!

I was proud that I didn't stop, but I already feel like I'm toast. I decide to do 'Trouble in Mind' next, and I get through it, also, but I there are feedback issues during this one, also.

Next, I play 'Pony Blues', and it's the same story.

I know in my head that you can't worry about technical issues too much, but I'm feeling like my little set was not a fun one to listen to. I got the epitome of 'polite applause' from the crowd. 

In my defense, I did finish each song without stopping, and didn't make TOO many mistakes with my playing. Though there were some, and they were noticeable. Also, I played (and sang) very cautiously throughout (bracing for more feedback), and  that was what REALLY brought down the performance.

Dave apologized for the issues, but welcomed me back.

This Sunday, I went back. I decided that I would just mic the guitar and not plug in, to (hopefully) avoid the feedback issues.

I once again arrived early, and was put on the list. This time, I was to open the show!

My time had come. I was announced, got up there, did a little banter about 'My Babe' being in honor of my girlfriend who could not attend, and who had warned me 'No Groupies!' I said, 'I don't think I have to worry about any of that here, but just in case anyone gets the wrong idea...'

I played 'My Babe (Don't Stand No Cheatin')', 'Goin' Down Slow', and 'Down the Dirt Road Blues'. I had a fumble in 'My Babe' that my musician friend noticed. I think this was attributed solely to my nervousness, considering the issues last time. I also made a SMALL mistake in 'Down the Dirt Road'. I'm sure mostly nobody else noticed. There was a bit of low end 'talk back' as I call it, when hitting certain chords once in a while, probably caused by my guitar being too close to the instrument mic.

I was MUCH more pleased with my performance, and my friends in the audience said it was great, and that it was the best performance they had heard from me, in general. Dave the sound man was very happy for me, as he remembered the previous performance and the issues. The audience seemed to like it as well. I got what I will term 'appreciative applause' this time. A step up from 'polite applause', in my opinion!

I am much more confident now, that 'I can do it'. I just hope i'm not overconfident. I think my ability to play through the issues in the first set, regardless of how bad the sound may have been was instrumental to my success the second time around.

I just wanted to share that even after a 'train wreck', you CAN recover. At least, I did, and BOY was I nervous an unsure of myself prior to that.

But I was also determined. And I had a simple goal: Do better next time, and don't have any feedback!

I now, can't wait to get back to it!

Good luck to anyone who has a rough one, a club that I can say I am not glad to be in, but also not ashamed of!

You can do it!

[J Car]

I host a weekly open mic, and have done so for 7 years. Here are a couple of observations I have made.
- For the most part it doesn't matter if what you are playing is familiar to the audience or not, it is more about how at ease the performer is, because that puts the audience at ease.

- Even if you are nervous , acknowledging that you are and proceeding to try anyway can really win an audience over, and that can relax you. Keeping it simple and trying to stay focused on the sound that is coming out of you can help as well, as opposed to worrying if the audience is approving or not.

-The truth is most people want to see you have a good time, more than anything, and being comfortable with making mistakes is key to having a good time

-I've seen people with minimal experience and technical skill move a room in profound ways, sheerly on the force of their enthusiasm for what they are doing

- I've seen people with substantial repertoire and technical ability completely fail to connect with an audience

Kudos to you for playing out, it takes a lot to do, and it is the path to a very rewarding mode of playing music. There are few things that match the feeling of connecting with people through  music, and its probably the reason a lot of us get into playing in the first place.