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#1
05-28-2017, 07:57 PM
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At least it was an open mic and not a gig
Saturday night I went to a friends open mic and i had a bad case of cramps, hands, legs and forearm. Saturday I worked outside in the sun from morning till evening, mowing, weed whacking, hedge trimming, running a chain saw knocking down a few trees, split and stacked fire wood. I didn't keep myself properly hydrated throughout the day and it contributed greatly to getting muscle cramps that night, as well as dry raspy vocals.
Lesson learned, when I know I will be playing, light duty for the day and stay hydrated. Good thing it was only an open mic and not a paid gig, by the middle of the second song my fretting hand was cramping and contorting my fingers into weird shapes. If it was a gig, I don't know what I would have done.
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The Blond The Brunette The Red Head The Old Lady Goldilocks Flipper "Sometimes I play a song I never heard before" Thelonious Monk 
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#2
05-28-2017, 08:02 PM
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That's why I don't do anything but sleep & play.�� Not really but I do run everything through my "how will this effect my hands and voice" filter before I do it.
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#3
05-30-2017, 08:43 AM
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Lawn mowing, weed whacking, chainsawing or snowblowing - NEVER on a gig (or even rehearsal) day!
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass
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#4
05-30-2017, 09:43 AM
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This is great thread. I don't gig, but now I have an excuse for the dog when I just can't seem to get it together :-)
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Bob https://on.soundcloud.com/ZaWP https://youtube.com/channel/UCqodryotxsHRaT5OfYy8Bdg
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#5
05-30-2017, 09:49 AM
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On the other hand, I like to go for a run on open mic days. It helps me stay relaxed.
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Original music here: Spotify Artist Page
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#6
05-30-2017, 09:57 AM
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Getting and staying hydrated is the main thing I do before a gig. You have to start getting hydrated several hours before you gig. Don't wait till you get there. I have a 40 minute drive so I will drink a Gator Aid on the way. I also hum along with what ever is if the CD player.
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"He Who Sings, Prays Twice". MikeW
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#7
05-30-2017, 09:59 AM
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Quote:
 Actually tearing up my hands during load-in is one of the reasons that I stopped gigging. You have to carry a bunch of heavy awkward gear into the venue and set it all up, just when you need to protect your hands and save your energy the most. Sounds like you could have also used some electrolytes in addition to just water.
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#8
05-30-2017, 10:14 AM
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This is a good thing for me to have read. I feel like I'm hovering ever nearer starting going to open mics, at 46. Through absorbing all these kinds of tips once I do actually make it to a show in five or ten years' time it will only be a total disaster, and not reason to commit a cathartic high school massacre.
There are two open mics in the town I've just arrived in this afternoon, about half a mile apart. Once my guitar is safely hidden in the hotel I'm going to try and drift back and forth between them both, like some kind of sit-com double-booked lothario, with a different back story and shirt in each venue.
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