My history as a player was busking on the street decades ago.
I sort of gave up but was occasionally roped into adding harp to something on stage, and I simply played into the mic. Admittedly, these were times accompanying acoustic and classical instruments, mic'ed. I've been wanting to get back into playing and twice have been to the open mic nights at a local club. BOTH nights I simply didn't play loud enough and no one heard a thing. (Earlier I posted having assumed the monitor wasn't adequate - I now realize it wasn't able to play what it wasn't getting.)
I know now that some kind of sound-check is in order, but times like this it's harder; you're tossed on stage with a bunch of guys and you just make music on the spot, no real set-up. It makes things interesting, and I like the concept.
What fresh hell is this? How am I getting playing into a mic so wrong? For those who have played acoustically into a mic with a loud electric band, how close are you to the mic?
^ This sounds like a really stupid question, so I'm ready for a few snarky comments. I just feel so discouraged after two public failures.
---------- My YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
When it is your turn to solo, don't start playing immediately on beat one of that first measure.
Pause, let the music go by while turning to the band, catch their eye and then make the universal sign to come down in volume - arm out, palm down. As you lower your palm, bend a little at the knees.
If there is a sound engineer I allows play something quick into the mic before everyone gets going. Normally with a lower tuned harp G) as this is going to be naturally quieter. I try to imagine how loud the band is going to be and than ask them to turn it up if I think it's going to be to quiet..
Then once's things get going if it still needs some more I'll try and catch his eye and give the universal sign for "Need more" – Waggle my ear and point up :)
If there is no sound guy or he can't get any more out of it (for feedback reason etc) Then I'll do as HarpNinja suggests and cup the mic, if you have a good cupping technique this will increase the volume pretty significantly.
I'll also sometimes do as The Iceman suggests and get the band to come down. Audience also tend to love this sort of change in dynamics too.
Great topic - I was looking into this same thing myself (ref. Driven Acoustic thread). I was directed to be informed by Gary Primich. Take a look at this video where he's working the mic...he's all over it like a rash: full cupping, pulling back, cupped hands touching the grill, open, closed. Right up close.
I regularly play at open mics - but usually acoustic ones, so it is a bit easier to get the volume you need. However, at open mic you are at the mercy of the sound man, and if you start regularly attending one I would develop a relationship with him. Also, do help him out and get right up on the mic if you're having issues with being heard. I usually have the opposite problem - I usually have to back off the mic a bit to not be too loud and over power everyone else. Most of the electric one's I've been too - If you want anyone to hear you, or to hear yourself you need an amp.
I regularly sit in with many local bands, recently more often than I am gigging. It is a good way to keep your ear in practice and not lose your chops.
Finding out that we couldn't be heard when we played has happened to all of us at one time or another. It is really frustrating to learn that the great stuff we played was barely audible in the audience. We are forced to place trust in the sound man (if there is one)... sometimes misplaced trust. At other times we find that the mic is so hot you have to stay way back and play off axis from a side angle, just to avoid feedback. You don't want to be too quiet, and you don't want bleeding ears in the audience from a super loud, shrill harp. And you don't want to be the guy who caused the PA feedback.
One useful thing I often do, even at gigs, is find someone in the audience I know and trust, and ask them to let me know if I am too loud or too soft. The monitors SHOULD let us know, but they are not always adjusted correctly. The sound man may have turned down an unused mic to avoid ringing or may have been distracted by alcohol, weed, or someone interesting talking to them. They may not have turned it back up for you. The sound man may assume you will cup, and turned it down to avoid the usual feedback when you do. The sound man may not like harp players, but don't assume that. It never hurts to talk to them before you play, suggesting rolling off some highs, discussing if you will be cupping or on the mic, or playing back from it. You can also mention that you do need to hear yourself in the monitor, and be ready to signal from on stage. It is always good to thank them in advance, and then afterward if they did a good job.
Unless the band volume is low and the room is small enough that you get the bounce-back from the room, you will not be able to judge your volume in the room from on stage. Having a friend signalling you can help you know if you need to try cupping the mic to get more volume.
One last point... the lead vocal mic will almost always be hot, so if necessary you can step in to solo at that mic. It won't help your comping be heard if your mic is too low, but at least you will be heard when you play in the vocal mic. Don't jump in too close and make it feed back.
Be aware that the singer might not like it, and be ready to explain and apologize when the song is done.
Just some suggestions... ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 13, 2015 7:00 AM
Unfortunately it's entirely possible that the soundguy - consciously or unconsciously - overlooked bringing the harp into the overall mix
Make sure that play into the mic or at least tap it beforehand - it shouldn't be much lower if any than the vocal mic. also no reason not to take it off the stand during the set and head out so you can hear the front of house mix.
Me, I got tired of being at the mercy of the soundman, so I take a lightweight (and loud) 7.5W amp to jams. With reasonable technique and a high impedance mic it doesnt need additional mic'ing most of the time
I DO know that the problem this time is with me, not the sound guy.
I'm thinking long term I might grab some more gear - a bigger amp for stage stuff, and a high impedance mic for using with a PA. I have neither at the moment.
I've been aiming to get back into busking again,. but if I'm going to get more gear I might as well justify it by joining a band.
---------- My YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
if you are using a vocal mike that is already set up don't forget to step up to the mike and do a quick voice check...one two three four.... then do what everyone else does, a couple chords and a riff, before the song. only takes 5 or 10 seconds and it should tell you everything you need to know.
I eat the mic to sing and get real close or touch it to play harp. The big advantage to me with playing into a p.a. though is the opportunity to do more hand effects. Tight cup the harp and put the cup almost on the mic, direct the sound straight into the mic.
I've tried to compete on loud stages and had some success but sometimes it's just not enough. Even a 40w Bassman has been swallowed up by loud drums and guitar. Bottom line for me is I don't want to play in loud situations. If you listen to old live recorded stuff what becomes apparent is, those cats didn't shake the mortar out of the bricks, they used just enough and then relied on technique and tone for wow factor.
I much prefer a small amp/mic combo and a smaller venue. 5w VibroChamp is our weapon of choice lately, and with a hi z mic it does what I want. Wife has the same amp for her guitar and we sound great. In a couple of years we will be hitting the road virtually full time and probably getting into some open mic/jam things, but if it's too loud or wild we will find another place or just do a few songs as the duo we usually are.
Danny I have been in several bands and this current duo is about my 4th over many years. As my skill set has improved I have found a lot of satisfaction in the minimally amped sound of the duo. There can be a real nice intimacy about it that people respond to. It's not that I don't enjoy a full band and all the power of bigger sound, but at this stage in my journey the simpler the better, and I and having some of the best times! And believe me we do get people nodding, tapping, and dancing. That's what it's about for us, spreading the joy. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Simple solution.......go to jams with no drummers. If you are really lucky, find a local jam that has no drummers or guitar players. You will hear yourself plenty then.....
