Graham said:
I say go for it and play like no one's listening.
Graham
... because they're probably not!
My Dear Guild Brethren,
This may well wind up the longest post in the forum, but you have touched on a subject near and dear to me. Going to an open mike is a great way to get over stage fright, exercise your chops, test new material, and make some wonderful friends. Mind you, I was a card-carrying member of the AF of M for eight years, and it still required screwing up some courage. So kudos to you for taking this step!
My reinsertion into the ranks of public players (not
pubic players, thank you) began two years ago. I wanted/needed to find a place to play. Sunday morning alone wasn't scratching the itch. And, if you are a geezer, you begin to realize that you may not always be able to do this. So, it came to me - as long as I
can do this, how can I
not do this. A guitar player I worked with in the seventies is nearly seventy now himself. The guy was an excellent guitarist who could play pretty much any style very well. He recently developed Parkinson's and macular degeneration. He can't control his hands and he is losing his sight. I'm gonna get in as many licks as I can before anything like that happens to me.
I did a web search locally and found a couple of open mikes near home. Started by just going to listen, get the vibe, learn their rules and culture, try the chimichanga. The second time I took my axe. Nervous, out of practice, using unfamiliar amplification, but did my 3 songs. This group was small then, but friendly and very supportive and non-threatening. They applauded. I kept going - for two years now - every Tuesday.
What I've learned since then:
Everyone in the audience wants you to do well.
Believe it.
The jitters stop after you start playing.
You can only get better if you keep going.
Even if you suck, if it's a good open mike they'll applaud like you're Tommy Emmanuel. Savor it, share it, and return it. And believe it if you want to. It is a little about feeding your ego, if you're honest with yourself. Nothing wrong with that. I prefer to call it "self-esteem".
Acoustic Guitar had an article about playing open mikes recently - I'll try to find the issue. Everything they said in that article is true.
In the last year or so, as I've traveled for business, I've always gone to
http://www.openmikes.org before I get to town. Most open mikes will have an axe to loan you. I've played in Dayton, OH and Atlanta, GA, and - if I could've gotten out to the joint - I would've played one in Dallas a couple of weeks ago. It's kinda like going to church when you're out of town so you can keep your Sunday School perfect attendance pin. Always had a geat time!
Here's the proof:
http://www.kcandrevdave.com/TrolleyBUZZPages/September012005/September012005B No Guild on site, but a nice Taylor 614CE loaned by Reggie "The Wizard" Stone.
The local open mike I attend is called
Mo'Phat Tuesday.
You can the story about the name at their website.
A while ago our open mike's host asked all the regulars to help celebrate his wife's birthday by including at least one song about flying in their set (she's a pilot). I recorded all the performances (40 songs!) that night and posted them up to
http://www.soundclick.com/mophattuesdayopenmike . There's also a video from this past summer and a few songs recorded in a studio by one of the guys. If you have to sign up, at least it's free!
Click on the
music link there and listen to a few songs. Then see if you don't believe you can do as well as anyone else!! :lol:
Playing there got my chops and courage up enough to audition for the Borders Books circuit. Now I'm playing Saturday nights 2-3 times a month for a couple hours in the coffee house at some of those prominent bookstores. If I get good enough, I'm gonna try for an assisted living facility - hoping they'll give me a discount when the time comes!
Play well. Play often. Break a leg!!