Re: [Harp-L] Re: First SOLO Open Mike recommendations

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

my experience is that the audience is very supportive of a newbie gettin up there, showing encouragement.


John's comment about not restarting is good advice.



-----Original Message-----
From: john kuzloski <jkuzloski@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Dec 22, 2011 5:44 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: First SOLO Open Mike recommendations


Main point:  Newcomers sometimes make a small error and stop and apologize and 
re-start!  Don't do that.  Keep it rolling.  Get back on track immediately.  
Most in the audience didn't hear the mistake.    (Of course, you're gonna do 
what you're gonna do -- while nervous -- and nobody dies, so I don't mean to 
create more nervousness with another "requirement!")
 
While I'm typing, here is another thought:  This may not apply but, if it's the 
kind of venue where people llisten to the lyrics and you are singing, funny 
songs tend to go over well. If you play blues, there are plenty of funny old 
blues songs -- for example, Lightnin' Hopkins, Short Hair Woman which I pefrom 
solo and people really enjoy -- I guess this assumes one has the ability to 
deliver the song lyrics well (apart from harmonica ability); an over the top, 
hammed up version of Hoochie Coochie Man can also be fun -- again I guess there 
is some "acting" ability required to pull that off.
Perhaps the best advice is to play what you enjoy playing and are comfortable 
with -- no reason to add extra stress.