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  #1  
Old 11-19-2013, 01:15 PM
Lideruke Lideruke is offline
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Default I Went To My First Open Mic Nite...

Just to check it out, not to play. Holy crap, do I need to become a better player FAST! Everyone picked, which I can't do just yet. Any DVDs or books you'd recommend? YouTube channels?

(I bought the Gibson videos, and was lent the Esteban video!, but haven't watched either)

Thanks!
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Old 11-19-2013, 01:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lideruke View Post
Just to check it out, not to play. Holy crap, do I need to become a better player FAST! Everyone picked, which I can't do just yet. Any DVDs or books you'd recommend? YouTube channels?

(I bought the Gibson videos, and was lent the Esteban video!, but haven't watched either)

Thanks!
Hi Lideruke...

Sounds like you had an eye opening and fun night…


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Old 11-19-2013, 01:23 PM
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Hi Lideruke,
I applaud you for sitting in and listening before you decided to play. I would encourage you to go back and listen some more. You might find that those players who impressed you at first listen aren't really playing flawlessly. In fact, they are human, and get out of bed the same way you do every day.

You can learn a lot by listening to them, though--and by watching them perform. I think I've learnt more from watching others play than I've ever picked up through DVDs. (I'm not putting down DVDs, by the way--I've learnt a lot from Happy Traum and Stefan Grossman's companies.)

Keep going back and you'll find yourself behind the mike sooner or later.
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Old 11-19-2013, 01:33 PM
woodbox woodbox is offline
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Default Maybe?

So you need to pick cuz --" Everyone picked, which I can't do just yet. "

Maybe its a good thing that you play like you.
Just do what you do..thats why we go to these things.

Doesnt matter if someone has a shinier or newer or vintage guitar or "better" playing skills, or a voice like this or that.

Did you happen to read what Steven Bollman wrote in another thread about playing open mic?

"Play what you like with every creative fiber of your being..."

Love that!!
Do that.
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Old 11-19-2013, 01:54 PM
Lideruke Lideruke is offline
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Don't get me wrong! I will likely go back this Monday to play. I'm a better than decent singer and picked up the uke and guitar to accompany myself. I'm happy to play as poorly/inexperiencedly (is that a word?) as I do. I'd just hoped there would be some people there who played almost as badly. I will definitely be the worst!
So, the point: I want to have less of a skill deficit as quickly as possible! By Sunday would be ideal
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Old 11-19-2013, 01:59 PM
Lideruke Lideruke is offline
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Worrisome issues of this open mic:

No music stands!
3 songs!

I don't really have any songs 100% memorized. I have some 95%.
Finding 3 songs that are interesting when played solo will be a challenge!
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:05 PM
scriv58 scriv58 is offline
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"everyone picked" what does that mean? were you using another method to touch the strings?
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:09 PM
snkysnake snkysnake is offline
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I take it that you are a chord strummer ? That's more than okay. Be you, and play like you, not like them.. NO music stands... because they don't have them, or because they don't allow them? If they don't care, take your own. I have fibro fog, (memory issues) and work 90% of the time with a stand.
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lideruke View Post
Worrisome issues of this open mic:
No music stands!
3 songs!
HI L-u...

So are stands not allowed? What about charts scotch taped to the mic stand?

Have a good time and check back in and report please...


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Old 11-19-2013, 02:29 PM
Phantoj Phantoj is offline
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If you are a good singer, play to your strength.

I'm not such a good singer, so I tend to "pick" the melody a lot to help me sing.

If you don't have three songs, that's probably OK, too!
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:31 PM
MikeBmusic MikeBmusic is offline
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Definitely bring your own stand for lyric sheets, if they don't have them.
Note that there are different levels of talent at most OMs, but some do attract the 'cream of the crop' more than others. Check around your area for other OMs, you might find some where you feel that you are one of the best there.
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:31 PM
Lideruke Lideruke is offline
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I am indeed a strummer, but I really want to improve. The guitar can be so much more than strummed chords.
I don't know that stands are verboten, but no one was using one. I'd rather not use one, if I can help it. If.
And picking as in finger/flatpicking.

I have a kind of open mic to go to Thursday. No audience outside of the musicians. Take turns playing songs. They provide music stands for everyone. Apparently, the Greater Cleveland area has quite a few open mic nites!
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:32 PM
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3 shots of tequila and you won't care - only kidding
only 2 shots - only kidding again
If you feel good about your singing then lean on that and let the guitar be a prop for now.
I have been blown away by a good song or good singer who just strummed a few chords.
And most open mics are full of supportive people who really want you to have fun!!
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:34 PM
lmacmil lmacmil is offline
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In my opinion, it's all about song selection. I would much rather listen to a mediocre player give his or her all on songs (or songs of artists) I am familiar with, than some hotshot doing originals that are tuneless or instrumentals that are all technique and no music. But, to each his own.

FWIW, in 70 open mics over the last 4 years, I have gotten plenty of compliments on my sets (i.e., song selection) and I can guarantee it wasn't due to my playing!
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Old 11-19-2013, 02:40 PM
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Back when I was doing open mics, there was this dude who kept showing up at all the same ones, and he was 10 times better than I was: Better player, better singer, MUCH better songwriter. I nearly gave up until I realized half the reason for being there was to have fun.

That's just a long-winded way of saying don't be intimidated--open mic folks are almost universally supportive and accepting. Go have fun!
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