[Harp-L] Re: Open mic

["Randy G." <frcn@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Any decent open mic jam will have a PA. Bring a mic and a cable and 
you should be fine with that. All the PA's I have played through have 
a Hi and Low input for each channel (XLR and 1/4"). Otherwise, just 
play into a supplied vocal mic already set up on stage. Check the 
channel you are playing into, and ask for a bit of reverb (just a 
bit) and tell them to cut the highs some. Be sure that you check the 
mic for monitor level. If you can't hear yourself on stage it can be 
a long, ugly night..  BTDT.

If you can play, act like it (no offense meant).  Get there early, 
introduce yourself, and sign in or just say "I would like the next 
set, if that's OK." Don't talk too much as folks hate me...  err, I 
mean hate people like that. Be assertive, but not pushy. Don't be 
timid- they're just musicians and it's an open mic night! It might 
help if you sing and have a few songs ready as well.

I don't ask to use anyone else's amp or mic because I am not 
comfortable allowing anyone to use my amp or mic. That does not mean 
everyone is that way. Don't let it offend you. My reasons are that I 
cannot afford to replace any of my equipment (or anyone else's) at 
this point and don't need the hassle if something does happen, one 
way or the other.

Just like any other gathering of folks, you will find some jams that 
are a lot of fun with great folks willing to help, and other times 
you will walk into a click that is just an unorganized group that 
doesn't let much of anyone join in unless they push the issue, and 
there's everything in between. Avoid the later and seek out the former.

I got my "real" start playing an open weekly jam. I am sure that I 
rubbed some folks the wrong way, and I can name names of others who 
hit me like that. But playing that jam really opened me up as a 
player, and it eventually led to me joining a group where I have 
learned even more- I have learned so much, that I now know just how 
little I know.

My final word of advice would be to just drop in the first time as a 
spectator. Listen. Don't be intimidated by folks better than you, but 
get the feel for what is expected and the level of talent. In some 
way just about everyone that plays the jams I hit are better than 
me.. But I have skills that they do not show. Around here I am also 
unique in my style and sound. That may not be a good thing, but it's 
working for me so far.  ;-)

        From Randy G.
 Live to Play  -  Play to Live
http://www.myspace.com/RandyGBlues
http://www.myspace.com/PhatBoyzBlue