Members pogo97 Posted April 6, 2017 Members Share Posted April 6, 2017 I don't often go to open mics. I'm no longer at that level of need-to-play-publicly and they are generally a poor return on playing time versus time and money spent. But tonight I going to a blues "jam" in the nearby city because I'd like to meet some players there and I'd like to show off the fireslide. Signup 8:30, starts 9 and goes to 12. I don't yet know the precise rules for this one. Won't know anyone there. Any strategic or tactical suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted April 6, 2017 Members Share Posted April 6, 2017 Naw, you're kinda just there to provide some entertainment and work out your thing. I have been to many, but not in recent years. Get there kind of early and sign up for an early slot. Peeps tend to enjoy the early acts, and then get a bit bored afterwards. I have seen some good performers and a lot of not so great ones. keep the songs short and sweet. Many places say 3 songs or 15 minutes. Try to warp it in under 10 minutes. What songs you planning on doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 6, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 6, 2017 Blues jams can be hit or miss, but can be good for networking. I usually go and just watch the first time, get the lay of the land, as it were. If you want to just get up and play, then yes, go early, sign up early, and don't run over the allotment [song or timewise]. The best way to have any 'control' is to let them know you want to sing and play guitar, that puts you up front and center. Remember to let everyone solo except the drummer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 6, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 6, 2017 Probably three of my own. A slow slidey blues, a fast not-12-bar blues and one other. All 3/4-chorders. I'm there mainly to demo a new guitar slide to a likely set of players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 6, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 6, 2017 I'll probably play. It's a bit far to drive to just sit there and drink acceptable draft by myself. I will absolutely let everybody (whoever they are) have a solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted April 6, 2017 Members Share Posted April 6, 2017 I belong to a "The Blues Alliance Of The Treasure Coast" (I'd have named it something simpler). They have a blues jam every month, I go once or twice a year. I sign up, play, and leave early as it tends to get so loud that even my 25db musicians earplugs can't get the sound to a safe level. Since I know them, and since I'm a member, I don't even have to sign in, but I do anyway. I'll sing "Flip Flop Fly", "Hi Heel Sneakers" or something everybody knows, and then stay on stage while others come up and do their thing. It's a luxury a sax player has because there aren't many around who come to the jams. I know the core band ia getting paid their regular gig rate, so I have no problem helping them out. I don't need publicity (my duo has been going strong since 1985) but it's fun to play with my friends and to be in that spot where you have to be reactive as you don't know exactly what is going to happen next. Remember to have fun. It's the only reason to do this sort of thing. Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 7, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 7, 2017 Since I was in a host/house band for several years, I have seen some weird stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 7, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 7, 2017 No, some of us do it for the $ [i'm laughing at this] and to provide the opportunity for others to have fun.The volume issue is the responsibility of the house band leader. I was never shy about walking on stage and turning down the guitar amps [they were my amps]. I have not had to do that since I am running my new pro jam...ahhhhhh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 7, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2017 Well, I went. And I'm glad I did. Excellent host band. Saw some friends there, played a good set, heard some good music, met some new people. And that's not a bad use of an evening. And sold two fireslides to good players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 7, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 7, 2017 business and pleasure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FloridaFrailer Posted April 8, 2017 Members Share Posted April 8, 2017 The thing to remember about open mics/jams is that they are how musicians form community. You may feel that you're past the point of a "return" on the time invested, but I would make a suggestion.... if you're playing level has exceeded your ability to see a "return" then you are at the level of giving back. A few kind words from a very skilled player at an open mic can be just the inspiration that some of the others around you need. If you're really that good, then it's time to give back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 8, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 8, 2017 Ahem. You give and give and give and eventually you get to an age where you "give back"? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 8, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 8, 2017 I think he is talking about encouraging younger/less skilled players who are the same path you have already trod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 8, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 8, 2017 I understand that. But surely there are better ways to pass on to them than by attending open mics. Wish I knew what it was. Jams. But where you can bring your own beverage and it's not about putting bums in seats and pennies in pockets. The best learning time for me is either alone or playing with other good musicians for the sheer joy of it. This requires leisure, which, I suppose, is why it so rarely happens. A bit distant from the topic (my thread, I'm allowed) but kinda parallel: I found this when I looked up Annette Hanshaw in Wikipedia and it's poignant and true. (And her recordings are some of my favourites from her time, love her voice and style.) As a matter of fact, I disliked all of [my records] intensely. I was most unhappy when they were released. I just often cried because I thought they were so poor, mostly because of my work, but a great deal, I suppose, because of the recording. [...] I disliked the business intensely. I loathed it, and I'm ashamed to say I just did it for the money. I loved singing, you know, jamming with the musicians when it isn't important to do, ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members senorblues Posted April 8, 2017 Members Share Posted April 8, 2017 Along with DJs and Karaoke, Jams and Open Mics are contributing to to demise of the working musician. They outnumber paying gigs for bands and solos in my market. I suppose I can understand a house band taking the gig, but why would a pro show up to play his three songs for free? You aren't even comped drinks! How did we go from being the hired help to paying clients? Harumpf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted April 8, 2017 Members Share Posted April 8, 2017 Along with DJs and Karaoke' date=' Jams and Open Mics are contributing to to demise of the working musician[/b']. They outnumber paying gigs for bands and solos in my market. I suppose I can understand a house band taking the gig, but why would a pro show up to play his three songs for free? You aren't even comped drinks! How did we go from being the hired help to paying clients? Harumpf! To work out new original material and hang with friends on a Tuesday night. I used too think that DJs and Karaoke, Jams and Open Mics were killing live bands, but after the dust was settled they didn't. I have seen 1000's on live touring band and would walk across the street to listen to a cover band. In this lil small town I can tell you a 1/2 dozen places to find acoustic solo acts tonight, some are pretty good too. Been to some house concert shows too and have seen major recording acts, entertaining small crowds of 20-50, for a few hours. These were most folk type acts. The work is out there, but you got to look for it and think outside the box a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FloridaFrailer Posted April 9, 2017 Members Share Posted April 9, 2017 Hey Pogo.... if you are a musician... you are in the giving business. You seriously didn't get into this for the money... did you? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 9, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 9, 2017 DJs and Karaoke, I agree are ruining the live music biz each in its own way. But jams/open mics are advantageous for networking. I put the basis of my blues band together from one blues club's weekly blues jams, wound up gigging there for years. How is that a bad thing? I've been offered many side gigs based on my performing at jams. How is that a bad thing? I was in a 'host band' for the better part of three years, two nights a week, money was terrible, but working that steady was good to keep me sharp. How is that a bad thing? No opportunity to walk in and perform without hauling a ton of gear [i sometimes will bring my own amp], and be exposed to the room, the staff at the club [if I haven't gigged there], [even for no money or a two drink minimum], is a waste if there is a chance to turn it into a gig, meet good players, check out the room. Heck, I was offered a gig once as soon as I walked off the stage at one acoustic open mic, which prompted me to work up my solo act. Recently I did a country jam that the bassist in one of my bands wanted to check out [yeah, I know, but it happens here] and was told emphatically I need to come back more often...go figure. They didn't hear me sing yet Odds are, if I go a few more times, I might get some side work, not that I need it with three bands, but if the money is there, and the schedule fits, why the heck not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 9, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 9, 2017 When something "dies," why do we assume something "killed" it?What killed acapella troubadours? The people who found it interesting got old and died.What killed barbershop? The people who found it interesting got old and died.What killed the piano bar? The people who found it interesting got old and died.What killed the Katy Perry karaoke singers? The people who found it interesting got old and died. there is good and bad in this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 9, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 9, 2017 I agree totally that things change, and, if you really want to point a finger at what is 'killing' live gigs for working musicians, look at drunk driving laws, no-smoking laws, liquor taxes, insurance costs and instant gratification technology....and do not underestimate the power of technology in all this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted April 10, 2017 Members Share Posted April 10, 2017 Well here in Van, no smoking laws were eventually a non issue - of course jogging and yoga are big here so maybe that's why:) Drunk driving laws perhaps hurt in the suburbs, but downtown, transit and taxis have made that pretty much a non starter' at least judging from how drunk people get. Even drink prices aren't all that bad, well at least in the kiddie bars. What seems to be killing biz here is the margins. They are very, very tight because of lease, wholesale booze costs, taxes and other overhead costs. My band is losing a gig because the bar is closing. The landlord wants to double their rent. I can't think of many small businesses that could take a $150k a year hit to their bottom line. Oh well, and so it goes. EDIT: and yes, technology giveth and taketh away. Trying to land on the right side of technology seems to be the key, but that ain't so easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 10, 2017 Moderators Share Posted April 10, 2017 good point...add 'greed' to the list... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 10, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2017 Oh well' date=' and so it goes.[/quote'] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted April 10, 2017 Members Share Posted April 10, 2017 Ah yes unadulterated greed. As a buddy always says of the casinos here "too much is never enough". We've got a casino that based their proposal on the value they would add to the community. They ran entertainment seven days a week in two venues with eight piece bands on the weekends. Now they are down to solo acts on the weekend, in one room. They still have a large showroom where acts like Chicago and T of P play but that's just once in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted April 10, 2017 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2017 Ah yes. Charity Casinos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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