geordiebluesman
375 posts
Apr 26, 2011
12:51 PM
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Hi Harpers, i am going to face down the fear and go to my first open mic night in 7 days time!.
I have never played in front of anyone in public so i am kinda crapping it but a friends wife died of a massive heart attack 4 days before christmas and as i sat in the church on christmas eve watching that coffin slip behind the curtains i decided that tomorrow is not necessarily gonna come so i better just get on and do the things i wanna do.
So any advice on how to go on, how to stay cool, what anyone else played etc etc
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toddlgreene
2930 posts
Apr 26, 2011
12:56 PM
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1. RELAX the best you can(without getting inebriated and losing control of your bodily functions of course). Remeber, whether you are singing or just playing harp, breath from down low, despite the quick short breaths your nerves may cause.
2. Pay attention-keep your ears and eyes open, and watch the other players, especially those that are in charge at the moment.
3. Try not to step on other's solos or vocals.
4. If your harp case has limited keys, take that and whatever positions you are comfortable in into account, and don't be afraid to make this limitation known when you take the stage, if it is applicable(I always carry a complete keyset, at least)
5.Have fun!
EDIT:I addressed this assuming it's a jam with others, but most rules apply.
Another thing:If you're bringing an amp, be familiar with it's settings before you set it up, out of consideration of other players' time and hearing.
Oh, and try your damndest not to point a vocal mic at a PA speaker or monitor!
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Todd
Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2011 1:05 PM
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tookatooka
2331 posts
Apr 26, 2011
1:13 PM
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Remember, all those people watching, want you to succeed and wished they had half the guts and talent that you've got.
I've heard you sing, I've heard you play, you have nothing to worry about.
After the first ten seconds you'll be loving every bit of it. Remember to enjoy it.
When you've got them in the palm of your hand, whip out the non-cling shower curtain and you'll be a millionaire.
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Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2011 1:16 PM
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bluemoose
533 posts
Apr 26, 2011
1:15 PM
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Make sure you know what 'from the 5' means and have how it sounds in your head. Just knowing that if it's called (and you should ask 'from the one?") and being able to play just a simple intro from the 5 will put you in a good light with the other players and builds a lot of confidence.
Establish with the guitar player who is going to do fills and when. Again, they will think you are a pro.
Listen to the bass to keep track of where you are.
Relax and enjoy.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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harpdude61
832 posts
Apr 26, 2011
1:15 PM
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Are you playing with other musicians or alone? Don't worry about missing a note. A lot of people won't notice. Do make sure you are with the beat..which is easy if you relax and let the flow of the groove take you in.
You have worked hard to get to this level so you deserve to be there.
Have fun and good luck!
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Greg Heumann
1116 posts
Apr 26, 2011
1:22 PM
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Todd's advice is sage and right on the money. Allow me to amplify just a little with a few more ideas:
1) When in doubt, lay out
2) Don't take more than 24 bar solo unless specifically invited to play more
3) Don't "noodle" and play all kinds of notes as accompaniment to another's solo or vocals. There is nothing wrong with NOT playing at these times, but it is also OK to "fill" some of the empty space with something....repetitive. (for example, listen to horn sections - they'll often play nothing during the 1st verse of a solo, play the exact same simple phrase over all 3 chords during the second, and then lay out again or play another repetitive phrase during the 3rd if there is one.)
4) If someone else is filling, then don't. If nobody else is, then do - but then give someone else a chance to fill over the next verse.
5) If you don't know the key, ask, or figure it out - but don't play through the mic until you're sure!
OK, now I realize this is way too much information for your first time - but these are good rules to live by for anyone at any jam.
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/Greg
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hvyj
1366 posts
Apr 26, 2011
1:34 PM
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You'll learn more in 20 minutes live on stage than you will practicing at home for a month. On harp, don't obsess over "from the 5" or "from the 1" since if you are playing blues, the same scale tones will work well enough either way without being "bad" notes.
LISTEN while you play. Leave space. Don't feel compelled to play in every crack. Let the guitar play some of the fills and don't play over the vocals or the guitar solos. Don't be afraid to lay out if you can't think of anything to play--it's ok to let the music happen around you every now and then. Harp players often tend to over play, so no one will complain if you are using some discretion.
If you can't handle minor keys, let whoever is calling the tunes know that BEFORE you go up.
If you have harps in G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb and F you will be covered for 95% of the tunes that will be called at a blues jam. Personally, I think it's disrespectful to the other musicians for a harp player to show up with only 2 or 3 harps and whine about not being able to play in this or that key.
Consider just bringing a mic and cord and playing direct into the PA. This keeps things simple and efficient and you can focus on playing rather than worrying about amplification.
most important: HAVE FUN! if you make a mistake or 2, or 3, or more, don't worry about it. That's how we learn.
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Lonesome Harpman
18 posts
Apr 26, 2011
2:26 PM
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There isn't any substitute for experience, and with that experience comes confidence. Everyone has been dead on with their advice to you, do not overplay, and don't be afraid to ask for the key. Play a fill here and there, and if given the nod, take your solo. Bring a bottle of water with you, take sips, it will keep you busy, and if you are nervous you may experience cotton mouth. Know that you cannot possibly be a nervous as I used to be. I used to suffer from debilitating stage fright, and would need more than a few stiff drinks just to stop my hands from shaking. My older brother, who was is a great singer, told me that he felt that me being in his band was like therapy for me. It must have been real funny for him to see how worked up I could get. However,the roles did reverse once, it was at our gig at the Saratoga NY racetrack,we played outdoors with thousands of people there, his voice was quivering a bit on the first song and I started acting more like a front man stepping out past him toward the crowd. Just last year, Dennis Gruenling told me that he still gets butterflies before he plays. Bottom Line is you are going to be nervous, it's how you react to your nerves that will shape your experience, so 'use the force', own it.
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geordiebluesman
376 posts
Apr 26, 2011
2:36 PM
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Hi Guys, the pub i will be playing in lays on a house band to back you up so i thought i would ask them to play the Manish Boy riff cos i wrote some lyrics a few weeks back that fit that tune and it is a really classic well known and well loved tune.
I made a video of myself practicing to a backing track with my lyrics and showed it to a fellow harp player who is in a band and also started off at this same place and he thought it worked really well i just hope i don't put any ones nose out messing with a classic.
I will try and post the vid on this post so you guys can check it out.
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BronzeWailer
139 posts
Apr 26, 2011
2:57 PM
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Hey Geordie, that's good advice from everyone above.
It's great that you made up your mind to go. I went to my first jam 5-6 months ago and now am kind of addicted.
I'm sure you'll have a great time.
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12gagedan
22 posts
Apr 26, 2011
3:26 PM
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Follow all the above advice.
Make friends, especially with other harp players. It's much easier when it's your friends up there, helping you along, than you vs. a bunch of strangers.
Be aware that there are politics to these things. Any group of people is going to have its good and bad. Be positive, don't get hung up on your "right to play", because you may get snubbed from time to time. Sometimes you have to work your way in to the crowd. Being nice speeds up the process.
I admire that you're taking the risk, and living your life to the fullest. You will be glad you did.
Dan G.
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eharp
1290 posts
Apr 26, 2011
3:34 PM
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space is your friend.
for my first couple of open mics i put myself in a cold-hearted frame of mind. i thought, "screw these people. i dont know them. i will never see them again. i dont care what they think. i will play where is see fit."
of course, i did know some of those folks and i did care what they thought, but it did help me get thru the initial jitters.
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oldwailer
1598 posts
Apr 26, 2011
4:25 PM
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Just go forth and kick ass--and take names--I don't know why you have to take names when you kick ass--but that's what I always hear--I know you'll do great because I've heard you play in your vids and I've seen how you stand up to the camera. . .
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Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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shanester
361 posts
Apr 26, 2011
7:02 PM
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One thing that I would add, that keeps me courageous, even when I have to follow up a hot shot is to always remember that there is only one you, and your musical expression is unique and irreplaceable, if you don't share it, the world won't get the full picture!
You have what you have, give yourself fully to the music and use what you have to be a contribution!
Playing with others will take you to many places you might never get to on your own!.
Have fun!
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Shane
1shanester
"Keep it coming now, keep it coming now,
Don't stop it no don't stop it no no don't stop it no don't stop it no no..."
- KC and the Sunshine Band
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BronzeWailer
142 posts
Apr 26, 2011
8:29 PM
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I second the above, and Dan G in particular. Jams are a great place to meet other musicians (I just gave myself an award for stating the bleeding obvious) and you're sure to make friends. A quiet word to the bass player if I am unsure what key the song is in can be very useful too...
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Oisin
786 posts
Apr 26, 2011
8:50 PM
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Geordie here is some advice from one of the jams I go to. It's probably all been said above but I wish I had read this before I started going to jams.
http://www.coachandhorsesbluesjam.com/essential_fyi.shtml
You are going to love it. Have fun and let us know how you get on.
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Oisin
Last Edited by on Apr 26, 2011 8:53 PM
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jasonL
39 posts
Apr 26, 2011
9:18 PM
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good luck man!! I love that you are taking action and doing what you love.
It was touched on before but just to restate and keeping it simple for your first time.
2 main things (other than having the tunes down and a selection of harps)
1. Make eye contact with the other players.
Even if they don't look at you, look at them from time to time, It will help you stay with them and allow you to pick up on cues, help you to know when and when not to play, stay connected with what they are doing. Makes it more of a dialogue.
2. Stand up straight.
Try to keep your posture which can be hard if you are nervous being infront of a crowd. If you stand up you have more space in your lungs, your head will be up and that makes you more aware of the crowd and the band. Some folks get nervous and hunch over to hide a bit on stage, you start looking down and can lose touch with the crowd/band/music and you could find it harder to relax and breath well especially as you close in on the end of your 24 bar solo.
Best of luck and remember no one knows what you have in your head to play so with that in mind you can't really f-up as long as you keep up with the changes.
Also, I never drink booze before or while performing(just lots of water, take bottled water up if you can, best way to end your welcome is to knock over your glass). Booze works for others but not for me. So don't feel you need some liquid courage, it isn't always the best thing.
Let us know how it goes and I hope you enjoy the rush of it all.
J
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lumpy wafflesquirt
346 posts
Apr 27, 2011
12:58 AM
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geordie
you said open mic, but all the advice above has been regarding a jam.
round here, at an open mic you have 15 mins to do your own thing, so do just that.
decide on your set list and get up there and do it. if you screw up don't worry. If ou have checke dout the OM first you'll know how it works. Round our way first timers never get given a hard time, just encouragement
best wishes
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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captainbliss
542 posts
Apr 27, 2011
2:16 AM
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@geordiebluesman:
Congratulations!
Advice?
Serve the song.
And...
Enjoy!
xxx
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7LimitJI
488 posts
Apr 27, 2011
3:14 AM
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Think call and response during the verses. That way you will not play all over the vocal.
As you start a solo, think of the lyrics and play them.
This will keep what you are playing melodic, musical and have space.Also it gives each solo an identity.
Plus, it's easy and always sounds great.
Then if you're confidence grows, improvise for the 2nd 12 bar perhaps steering it back to the melody.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
Last Edited by on Apr 27, 2011 3:16 AM
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Baker
120 posts
Apr 27, 2011
4:53 AM
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It's already been said but yer, don't drink too much booze and take a bottle of water with you. The first jam I played at I was so nervous my mouth dried up.
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geordiebluesman
377 posts
Apr 27, 2011
10:40 AM
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Hey Oisin, i just checked out that link that sounds like a great place and loads of top tips there so thanks for that.
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KingBiscuit
40 posts
Apr 27, 2011
1:08 PM
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Some great advice here. Greg and Todd especially hit the nail on the head.
I started playing a couple of years ago. Once I started going to Jams, it was much more fun. Anyway, after a couple of different jams, this really good drummer says to me "Man, I really like the way you play...You don't just keep blowing over top of everybody". I thought those were pretty good words to live by.
Good luck and have a great time,
Dan
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