mikem
Wholenote
Musician soundman musician soundman
Posts: 232
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Post by mikem on Oct 1, 2020 8:36:47 GMT -5
Open mic/Blues jams seem to be coming back from the Covid break in a neighboring city.
I told my wife that I plan to go to next Tuesday's jam and play....my last sax gig was in March... I'm suffering from "sax-withdrawl" lol. My wife told me that she'd like to come along and listen to me play...which is always ok when I am playing a public gig
but
my wife has never been to an open mic/jam. She thinks that I just show up, immediately take my sax out of the case, play a set, and leave immediately after I play......
She has no clue as to jam protocol.
I told her that most times I have to wait a bit to get called up, and sometimes only play a few tunes....
I always try to arrive early, "support the bar", listen, play, and then stay and listen to another set to support the others.
I tried explaining this to her but she told me that hanging around to listen to others is a waste of time. She's not a musician so she doesn't understand.
I feel if she comes along and I want to "hang" she'll be sitting there (with her arms folded, rolling her eyes at me) waiting to leave....putting a damper on the vibe.
I told her that she may be best to stay home....
Has anyone else ever dealt with this?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Oct 1, 2020 8:42:49 GMT -5
Yep. I know exactly what you mean.
First time--take two cars.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 2, 2020 19:28:07 GMT -5
Yup.
It's not just about playing. It's about getting out and meeting other musicians and supporting them. It's about being part of a local community. I get there early and talk gear and music and immerse myself in it.
There is a golden rule. Imagine all week long you have shined up your sax and even rehearsed your scales so you are smooth. And then moments before you get up to play the previous guy's support group gets up and leaves and entire bar empties out.
Been there. It happens. You live with it. But if you love music you play even if the only audience is the bartender and cleaning crew.
Not everybody gets that.
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TBird
Wholenote
Posts: 298
Formerly Known As: greg1948
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Post by TBird on Oct 3, 2020 7:06:23 GMT -5
Peegoo has the right answer for bringing the wife. My wife is about the same way, wants to come in late and leave early. I dare not say it, but I'm glad when she says, "I don't want to go, but you go ahead."
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Oct 5, 2020 0:29:25 GMT -5
Spot on. I play open mics for ME! |
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mikem
Wholenote
Musician soundman musician soundman
Posts: 232
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Post by mikem on Oct 14, 2020 17:42:19 GMT -5
Well....I went last week to the open mic/jam.
It was more of an open mic scenario than a jam.
It was in RI and people are a bit Covid-shy (for good reason) thus there were about 15-16 people in attendance.
I got there early and signed-up as things were being set up. I got a beer and appetizer and hung out.
There was a PA, drum kit, guitar and bass amps and an MC that played guitar and sang. He did a few numbers by himself and then started calling up the sign-up list. After hearing people get up and sing/play guitar in solo, duo, trio form I figured that I would not be a good fit....
When the MC called my name I told him that it may be better if I just stayed and listened....but he insisted that I go up and play. "Hey, come on up, we're all friends here..."
He called some of the audience to come up and play (bass, drummer, guitarist) with me...
They asked me what I wanted to play.... me: let's do a blues, you pick a key.
Blues in G with a shuffle beat
It was actually kind of fun....it was loud (I brought my bari sax) everyone played solos........
After that blues I told the MC that I would like to sit and listen to the others...
The people were-so-nice.
It was actually refreshing...
When I got home my wife "lectured me" about being covid-responsible so I guess I'm shut off from going for a while....btw: we did keep our distance - even on stage.
I do plan to go again (someday) but I will bring my electric bass (started playing bass as a covid-activity in April....it's actually fun to play...I'm starting to get-around on it).
Oh well. At least I got a chance to make some noise - lol.
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Grizbear-NJ
Wholenote
"I'll do the BEATING around here"
Posts: 217
Age: 71
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Post by Grizbear-NJ on Oct 14, 2020 22:42:04 GMT -5
Good for you my friend. The way things are going, opportunities to play anywhere, are far and few in between. You got the chance to have a beer, and make some "noise"; that's a WIN/WIN in my book.
Question: Was that an outdoor or indoor venue? Just curious.
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mikem
Wholenote
Musician soundman musician soundman
Posts: 232
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Post by mikem on Oct 16, 2020 5:54:13 GMT -5
Good for you my friend. The way things are going, opportunities to play anywhere, are far and few in between. You got the chance to have a beer, and make some "noise"; that's a WIN/WIN in my book. Question: Was that an outdoor or indoor venue? Just curious. Indoor event in a pretty big (for a bar) room. The stage (6-8" high) set up was interesting; on both sides of the stage there were frames with thick clear plastic from ceiling to floor. The front of the stage had 4' wide by 4' tall clear plexiglass panes suspended from the ceiling by nice looking chains. The panes were situated so that the bottom of each pane started approximately 4' off the floor and ended a couple of feet over the performers' heads. There was a 6" space between the panes thus when you go up on stage you just move two panes aside and "slip through".
It was actually pretty neat.
All of the performers had to be on stage (behind the plexiglass) while performing.
I actually felt pretty good / Covid-responsible.
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mikem
Wholenote
Musician soundman musician soundman
Posts: 232
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Post by mikem on Oct 16, 2020 6:01:13 GMT -5
Good for you my friend. The way things are going, opportunities to play anywhere, are far and few in between. You got the chance to have a beer, and make some "noise"; that's a WIN/WIN in my book. Question: Was that an outdoor or indoor venue? Just curious. Indoor event in a pretty big (for a bar) room. The stage (6-8" high) set up was interesting; on both sides of the stage there were frames with thick clear plastic from ceiling to floor. The front of the stage had 4' wide by 4' tall clear plexiglass panes suspended from the ceiling by nice looking chains. The panes were situated so that the bottom of each pane started approximately 4' off the floor and ended a couple of feet over the performers' heads. There was a 6" space between the panes thus when you go up on stage you just move two panes aside and "slip through".
It was actually pretty neat.
All of the performers had to be on stage (behind the plexiglass) while performing.
I actually felt pretty good / Covid-responsible. ______________________________________________________ copy/pasted from the venue's website:
Events
COVID - 19 RULES FOR ALL EVENTS
"The time is always right to do the right thing."
1) You must have a mask
2) Temp will be taken upon entrance to the Pub
3) Entrance will be through the rear door, thru the new Bier Garden / outside seating area
4) Reservations required; limited socially spaced seating.
5) No standing / sitting along the bar
6) All performers must be on stage and BEHIND plexi glass
7) ENJOY yourself and be cognizant of others!
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Grizbear-NJ
Wholenote
"I'll do the BEATING around here"
Posts: 217
Age: 71
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Post by Grizbear-NJ on Oct 16, 2020 12:45:38 GMT -5
Thank You
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