Thank you for this list.
I was wondering if you guys/gals have a list on how one should run
an Open Mic.
I play at an Open Mic down here in S. Florida. Don't get me wrong I
love it. And being a non musician and having less than 2 years of
playing ( at Open Mic) these guys/ gals have been great.
But I find that some players play more songs than others.
Or, others are told there time is up after just a few songs. .
There seems to be no rhyme or reason.
The guys/gals that run the Open Mic are great people but I don't
think they ( or myself) know how to properly set up an Open Mic.
I know there is something wrong. And since there are so very few
for me to attend ( none) I don't know how to help improve the system.
That is if it's even my place to do so.
Yes, I do hear people get upset when they get pulled off and others
play longer. I have even heard from players after playing a long
set asking ( pleading) for the next player to come up.
Or, players that come once but are 4 th on the list and get jumped
ahead becouse they have to leave.
(This happen to me two weeks ago and the mother of the person
running the open mic got up set and wanted to know why i was pulled
off. I did go back up after the player left, but by then i had to
get back into the grove.)
They don't buy drinks or food and we don't see them for months and
it happens again.
I have heard from players that won't come back becouse of this.
Now my concern, (and this is why I need your help ) is if they
don't bring in people to buy food or drinks there won't be anymore
Open Mic hence no place for me to play my harp.
As I stated before I'm not a musician and not a great player , and
most of the good players ask me to play with them if I lose the
Open Mic I lose a place to improve.
I will be 50 years old this year, after two years of surgery and
years of being in pain this is my once a week place to enjoy life.
All your help will greatly be appreciated like always.
Thank you all in advance.
Abner (BluEyes) living and enjoying life in S.E Florida
On Jun 5, 2010, at 11:14 AM, Tobe <wonderwhy@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Another musician and I have been running an open jam once a week
for more than then years. For what it's worth here's the handout
that we give to people who want to play:
All musicians are welcome, no matter what level. Donât be shy.
This is your chance to play before a live audience.
Before the music starts.
1. If you want to play, talk to the persons who run the
stage.
2. Itâs an effort to set up and take down the equipme
nt. Ask how you can help.
3. Until the sound-check starts, donât play. If you
want to warm up, do so off stage.
4. When you are asked to check your sound, play at the
level you expect to use during the performance. Just do what the
sound person says to do. Donât play while another musician is c
hecking the level for his or her instrument.
5. If another group is playing ahead of you, donât co
me onto the stage to set up your equipment while another group i
s playing. Let them remove their equipment before starting to s
et up yours.
After the music ends.
1. Remove your gear as quickly as possible.
2. If you are on the stage when the music is over, lend
a hand in clearing the stage.
During the performance.
1. Be thoughtful and courteous to the other players.
2. Each band has a leader. Be clear about who the
leader is before the music starts.
3. If there is to be a singer, the singer is the leader
unless there is a prior agreement.
4. The leader picks the song, the key, when it starts
and when it ends. Suggestions are welcome, but the leader decides.
5. Play when it is your turn. Or to put it another
way, donât play when it is not your turn. When to play varies f
rom song to song and from instrument to instrument, so please un
derstand that these are only general guidelines. Watch the lead
er for a signal.
6. Rhythm instruments usually play throughout the
song. Rhythm instruments include: drums and bass. Guitar,
keyboard and other percussion instruments can also be rhythm
instruments. Most ensembles have a rhythm guitar player. He or
she is usually the person who sets and maintains the rhythm.
7. Unless there is a prior understanding with the
leader, lead instruments only play solos or to support the singer
between the phrasing of a song. If you play a lead instrument, do
this sparingly and be aware that other lead players are also
playing between the phrases. Be conscious of each other. Lead
instrument include: lead guitar, harmonica, flute, banjo,
mandolin, keyboard, sax, trumpet, bowed strings, clarinet, etc.
8. Donât judge your own sound level. Many players thi
nk that they are playing just right when they are too loud. Ask
somebody else about your sound level.
9. Stay off the stage when not playing, setting up or
taking down. Visitors are welcome on the stage, but only between
performances.
Overall
Remember that the main goal is to have fun. Experience has shown
that we will all have more fun when everybody knows and follows
the rules. And one last thing that may be the most important rule:
when you are in the groove and the instruments are talking to each
other, nothing else matters and all rules might just fly away like
the music.