Gp
4 posts
Jan 14, 2014
6:03 PM
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Background - I am relatively new to playing in public and have been participating in 2 jams over the course of one year. One is primary rock with a little blues and the other is slated as bluegrass, but has morphed to include folk, light rock and blues, depending on the participants. I do try to practice 2-3 times a week in addition to the 2 jams. Playing in public has really helped me in terms of challenging me to be able to contribute to songs I may or may not have heard before and to improve my technique. I am also finding that having an active audience can help motivate all the jam participants in performing at a higher level.
The last rock jam I was at there was a nice crowd and people were up dancing and it just seemed that it upped the band's performance, including my own. This one female dancer had my attention and when the lead guitar gave me a solo I followed her moves with my notes and could never have played it better then having played the song a hundred times.
So, my question to all you seasoned performers is, does a good audience help you achieve a better performance or is it not a factor? I know there are countless other factors including talent/abilities of the musicians, etc, etc,..., just asking if the crowd influences your performance.
Greg
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Gnarly
873 posts
Jan 14, 2014
6:11 PM
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I find that my best musical moments are when I let the circumstances dictate the performance.
Like Carlos Santana is fond of saying, I am the hose.
It helps to have chops.
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walterharp
1280 posts
Jan 14, 2014
6:31 PM
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yes
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Frank
3696 posts
Jan 14, 2014
7:10 PM
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Your on the right track, "feed the audience" - NOT - your ego :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jan 14, 2014 7:11 PM
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Jehosaphat
654 posts
Jan 14, 2014
7:30 PM
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yes definitely helps if you have good crowd dancin'
(covers up mistakes well too :)
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12gagedan
294 posts
Jan 14, 2014
7:49 PM
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Welcome to the club. I like to think of it as an energy exchange. You do your best to put energy into the room as an entertainer. When the audience is into it, they send energy back. The music may or may not get better, but the collective joy is all that matters. This feeling, the magic of entertaining and being given back more than I put in, this is my drug of choice. Of course for every great show, there's always a hangover in the form of an audience you just don't get over on. The good ones keep you coming back, though.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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jbone
1464 posts
Jan 15, 2014
4:18 AM
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Absolutely yes. Synergy does not just happen on stage, the energy from your patrons adds to the overall effect. Having dancers and clappers and tippers who are supporting you is always a plus.
I played many a Friday night gig after a hard week's work and truly forgot my tired blues while I was playing. Saturday I usually pay though. Eat, sleep, eat, sleep, recharge and rebuild. But it is worth a lost Saturday to connect with partners and crowd.
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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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MP
3055 posts
Jan 15, 2014
10:18 AM
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From Dan-
"When the audience is into it, they send energy back."
That is it in a nut shell but you gotta play to your audience and let them know you are there with them and that they are part of the show too.
Even if you only have one table, or maybe one person listening you should play to them, acknowledge them.
it can get catchy. sometimes when people see others enjoying themselves they start enjoying themselves too.
my favorite shows don't necessarily have the most people dancing. They were the ones w/ that special exchange between the band and the audience that I don't have words for.
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Greg Heumann
2565 posts
Jan 15, 2014
1:04 PM
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I like the way Dan thinks about it. There's no question I feed off an enthusiastic crowd. But I have noticed the most professional professionals don't need that - they can play to a nearly empty room and STILL bring it. I wish I could!
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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barbequebob
2446 posts
Jan 15, 2014
1:21 PM
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As a pro, it's always drilled into you that no matter how many people are there, you ALWAYS gotta play your best because that's what's EXPECTED of you no matter what. I've played where the number of people in the crowd was about three people in there, and we made damned sure they felt like it was a private concert just for them and we kept them there ALL NIGHT and didn't allow ANY crap attitude showing because of a low turnout and when the club owner saw that we kept them there, we got rebooked and those three people spread word like wildfire and the next time we were there, the club was standing room only.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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The Black Pit
2 posts
Jan 15, 2014
5:23 PM
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There's a great video on youtube of Johnny Winter playing "Be Careful With A Fool" to what has to be the most uninterested looking audience I've ever seen (I think there may even be a shot of someone yawning). Yet JW, as usual, kills it. Then there are videos of bands playing bad/rushed renditions of their songs to 100,000 screaming fans that can't seem to get enough. Go figure.
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jbone
1466 posts
Jan 16, 2014
5:22 AM
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Of course I have been both in a chair at a low attendance show and on the stage for same. Not so many years ago one of my epiphanies was, I must do my best and connect with at least one person in the audience. Past that it's all gravy, but if i do my work on stage well, that one or three does become a roomful sometimes.
Jolene and I played a cafe last month where all but maybe one or two people out of the entire place-40 or so people- was showing us the love. They saw and heard our love for the music and responded in kind.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
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slowblowfuse
70 posts
Jan 16, 2014
5:44 AM
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Whenever we play a poorly attended gig, I try to do my best for those that showed up. I always try to do my best for the enjoyment of my band mates too.....
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Skinny Dog
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The Iceman
1381 posts
Jan 16, 2014
7:18 AM
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It's the unknown "x" factor...vibes in the air, time and place, demographic, etc., that leads to band on stage, audience in seats and the ability to connect.
Sometimes the majority of the audience is there for a birthday party and this social event is their main reason, music being somewhat background.
There have been times when a band tries to punch through this scenario to make the music primary with event secondary, only to be frustrated when the audience doesn't respond...sometimes this crowd will even get a bit pissed off.
Some factors are out of the musician's control.
However, over time, this makes for some interesting conclusions on what does and doesn't work for different crowds.
Recently I did a duo gig with Atlanta's Bill Sheffield (very good roots music/blues artist who knows hundreds of songs - guitar and vocal) at a sports bar.
The crowd was beer drinking buddies screaming at the tv with their backs to the stage. All "esoteric" songs couldn't penetrate through the sports membrane.
However, a down and dirty blues tune made them all turn around for 5 minutes, only to return to the tv screen whenever a big play was televised.
Try as we might, we could only grab their attention sporadically, as their main social reason for showing up was the sports thang.
Sometimes I feel that this is a club owner's mismatch for the evening---putting a musician on stage during mid week the night of a big sports event.
Bill doesn't mind, as he gets paid and needs the gigs. However, it isn't the most fun way to spend 4 hours playing in a bar.
We've all been there, I would imagine.
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The Iceman
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harpdude61
1952 posts
Jan 16, 2014
10:04 AM
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I am determined to put fun in the air!
I agree with Iceman. If the band is second fiddle not much you can do. Private parties are great but you get many people at those that have no interest in live music at all. Listening rooms and dances have been best for my band.
I know what Greg means too. They say Stevie Ray V. was the same for 15 people as he was for a racous crowd of 30,000!
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The Iceman
1382 posts
Jan 16, 2014
10:47 AM
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Harmonica heroes that I have seen play EXACTLY the same to a festival crowd as they do to 4 people in a bar...
Mark Hummel
Curtis Salgado
In the 90's, Curtis was the opening act for the summer tour of George Thoroughood and the Destroyers/Steve Miller Band. Saw them at Pine Knob - outdoor music site outside of Detroit. Arrived early and was walking up the hill when we could hear Curtis and band playing "Cookie Dough". As we entered the site, we saw that the hill was empty and about 6 people making their way down to the theater seats. As Curtis played a killer set, people were just starting to come into the amphitheater.
As bad as I felt for Curtis playing to an empty outdoor arena, I was amazed at how great the show was.
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The Iceman
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Slimharp
114 posts
Jan 17, 2014
8:55 AM
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It's really great when the audience is with you and there is an energy exchange. It really sucks when you are playing your soul out not a person in the room is listening. As Pat Metheny once said " It's nice when people dig what you are doing but in the end it's about the notes ".
The best, bestest, best is when everything is jelling, the whole band is in the slot, and something shifts and you are no longer playing music, the music is playing you, sort of like an altered state, a satori. Sometimes it lasts for a minute or two, sometimes seconds. It is incredible. It's happened in a room full of people and in a room with the bartender and waitress. I think I would be screwed if I allowed the behavior of the audience to dictate how I play. It sure is fun when they are with you.
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Frank
3706 posts
Jan 17, 2014
6:25 PM
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Most certainly, All the Top Pros Iv'e seen in little bars have played their guts out - they truly lay down some awe inspiring powerful harp playing from start till finish - workin hard for the money no doubt regardless of crowd size...always leaves me wondering just how in the hell they can give of themselves like that night after night - they are some passionate people :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jan 17, 2014 6:29 PM
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Gnarly
877 posts
Jan 17, 2014
6:26 PM
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@Slimharp--That's what I'm talking about. You can't will it into being, tho--
It really pays to get yourself out of the way.
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Jehosaphat
659 posts
Jan 17, 2014
7:02 PM
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We were booked one night for a pub gig that coincided with our equivalent of the FA cup(or US grand final gridiron)ie Rugby world cup.
It got so bad trying to compete that the Bar manager paid us off and we stopped playing.
We were happy enough though because we got to see the game too.In fact we were being paid to watch it^
But yeah TVs' going in a bar (with the sound up especially)can be a Gig killer.I mean whats the point of it all?
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Slimharp
121 posts
Jan 17, 2014
8:40 PM
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Agreed Gnarly. When you quit thinking about what your playing, what the sound is like, where the band is going. It's a zone that takes over. Mike Bloomfield used to go there a lot. It's a very fine experience.
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shadoe42
280 posts
Jan 17, 2014
9:20 PM
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There is nothing quite like the feeling when it all comes together, music,crowd,etc...
Yes when you have a small crowd you still absolutely give them the best show you got. They paid the same amount to see you that everyone else did.
I have often had small crowds tell me they had a better time than when there was a large one because it felt more personal.
But yea..when the crowd is really hot and the energy gets flowing....well...there is a reason I have said that music/performing is my drug of choice :)
The hard part is learning to be able to pour out as much energy to four as you can to four thousand.
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Dr. Rev. Mr. Cheeks Miller
My Electronic Music World
Last Edited by shadoe42 on Jan 17, 2014 9:20 PM
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12gagedan
296 posts
Jan 18, 2014
9:15 PM
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I have many good musical moments while alone or at rehearsals. The way I play or approach playing doesn't change much based on the audience response. What can change is the amount of fun. Of course, this is not always a direct correlation. Sometimes a non-responsive audience leads to a really loose, fun bandstand.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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Frank
3708 posts
Jan 19, 2014
3:30 AM
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Last Edited by Frank on Jan 19, 2014 3:35 AM
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garry
488 posts
Jan 19, 2014
5:09 PM
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"Every show like it's The Garden" - Charles T. Wegman
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Ugly Bones Ryan
32 posts
Jan 21, 2014
7:41 AM
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Yes. When I was busking near the train station there were times when my playing was more impressive because I had someone to impress. (not be cocky but I was good the whole time just better at others). In addition, when I played at my High School winter concert I saw a lot of smiles and dropped jaws. This influenced me to play even more flashy and dynamic.
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MP
3071 posts
Jan 21, 2014
11:35 AM
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Last night was a hard crowd to work. Hard Rock Café in Waikiki.
People came to eat dinner or have drinks or both. They don't advertise their Monday night bands so the music is kinda sprung on the clientele.
So it's mostly just walk ins cuz it's Waikiki and that's the way high density tourist places work when they are in prime locations.
Prior to going on the video screens were playing Lady Gaga,Blondie,and a band called Cult? etc. etc. Were we out of place? heh heh.
On the bright side...They give you food and drinks, have an excellent huge stage,Floor and headset monitors,a great sound guy (he happened to play harp too. A harp player can't be luckier:-), a youngish waitress told me she really liked us after the gig, and hell I'm in Waikiki!
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Affordable Reed Replacement
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Last Edited by MP on Jan 21, 2014 11:37 AM
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bigd
514 posts
Jan 21, 2014
9:21 PM
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I have no problem playing in front of a sparse audience but feel a kind of reverse projection when I'm in an audience of 2 or 3 people listening to a great musician. I get a sense of loneliness and embarrassment "for the musician". I'm not defending this feeling as I know it has everything to do with me and nothing to do with the performer....I think it's a privilege to play to an audience and am lucky to have have had so many opportunities to do so. I play to the smiles and the tapping feet under the tables and the children when they are there. What a terrific feeling it is to have someone touch their heart or smile with their eyes as they compliment you after a show or solo. I get a fair paycheck for what I do but the real currency is the emotional connection I make here and there through blowing!
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Kingley
3408 posts
Jan 21, 2014
10:28 PM
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Beautiful description Dennis.
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HarpNinja
3701 posts
Jan 22, 2014
9:35 AM
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Great post, Dennis!
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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Frank
3725 posts
Jan 23, 2014
3:45 AM
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There are some shows that will start with a fairly packed room, the place hoppin - and come the last set, "which is often the best one" there will be a handful of audience members and I'll look around thinking, "what happened"...
Many times this is on an off night (weekday) - folks have to work the next day and leave reluctantly.
The touring Pros know this scenario quite well I imagine and is part of the job description when not doing the weekend gigs or higher profile festivals and such.
My experience is the few folks left at the end of the show are very appreciative to be the only ones left and make sure the band knows they are on their side -
but yeah, I have had that gut feeling too of feeling bad that such a small amount of people are witnessing such incredible music...
and many times the people who had to leave missed some of the greatest feats of musicianship of the night...
That is one of the things I love about seeing Top Pros live - they can UP THEIR GAME continually throughout the night and the ones who can stay till the end, get to often hear and see some extra special music that can only be understood if one stayed to the very end to see it all...
So, I'll also feel bad for the people who had to leave and missed the best part of the show :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jan 23, 2014 5:05 AM
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