For those of us that play out a lot-
You pour your heart and soul into a song. As the last note rings out, do you hear applause, some "hoots" or catcalls, or nothing? Is it vital for you to get applause? I've played in bands locally and nationwide for over 30 years. We've played places where the cheers and applause were great and other times a couple of polite people clapping were all we got. I've played all night long to a room full of people, not getting any applause, but as I'm packing up my gear and leaving I get a lot of "man, you guys were great", and honest appriciation from folks. I guess for me, applause is nice to get, but if people are dancing, drinking, and not leaving, that's good enough for me.

_________________
Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

Applause - I LOVE it!

Sadly, I'm more familiar with this reaction:



- C

It's usually common courtesy to show that you appreciate what an artist is doing on stage.

Sometimes it takes a little help like "give it up for that great keyboard solo by Jane Doe will ya" (claps hands), but usually a good audience knows when they like something and shows it.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I don't think applause in the sense of hands clapping is a must, but it's common courtesy in most places for people to show their appreciation in some form - clap, hoot, holler, wooo... what have you.

Agreed that if people are dancing and having a good time that's enough, but I think if they're doing that, then 90%+ of the time they're also showing some applause love.

I'm more concerned with getting a check at the end of the gig.

Applause does not feed the bulldog.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Applause is much better than having beer bottles thrown at you!!

retro has it right though: say it with cash!!

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

great question. applause affects my stage antics more than anything. if they are diggin' it i tend to act out more. if they are not i tend to move around less. i'm blessed with a large, loving family. they follow us wherever we play. another reason to spend time together. trust me, they make enough noise for everyone.
when i go see a band i clap after every tune. i usually line the stage with their beverage of choice and tip if they have a jar. good or not so good. i usually offer to help carry equipment if they allow me to. we, as musicians understand that it is a job no matter how fun it is.
please, any bands in the DFW area, let me know where you are playing. my family is a noisy bunch and we love music.

i your not getting it your ding something wrong.
might not mean the music sucks it might mean the crowd isnt feeling the band. the front man might not be working the crowd the right way.
whatever it is, something is wrong. its a win-win.
you owe them and they owe you.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

You are a rare person indeed. I always clap and have sent a few drinks up in my time, but I have yet to hang around to carry equipment. You are in good company, though, Bruce Springsteen hung around to carry equipment for a Fort Worth guy; Mason Rufner. He had a song called "Gypsy Blood" that got a little play.

I was in my last band for twelve years. We got a few drinks from friends and fans here and there. Van Halen's road crew took better care of us than anyone. When 5 Coronas with limes and 5 shots of Quervo Gold hit the stage, we new the road crew was there.

I try to go out of my way just to say thanks after I hear a good performance. It never seems like a waste of time.

I always make a point to applaud, even in venues that you normally don't get it.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

It's nice, but if I get favorable nods of approval or a right on clinched fist works for me. A thumbs up works too. If a percentage of the audience connects I feel it was worth giving them my best. Can't please everyone, but I try.

If I'm playing in a club where there's no dancing and the patrons just sit and listen it's kind of awkward to finish a song and not have anyone clap, when a situation like that arises I usually say something like "Thankyou very little." with a chuckle and that usually gets a few giggles and invariably they clap after that and through the night.Although it's nice to get paid getting acknowledged by the audience is also very important to me because it's for the audience not me I'm playing for and the applause is incentive to keep on going.If you don't get favourable response from the audience your inspiration fades as the night progresses and you end up just going through the motions to get it over with.In dance clubs how you are going over is demonstrated by the number of people on the dance floor.If people get up dancing after the first or second song you just know that it's going to be a good night.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I played an afternoon gig once; it was a private corporate function at a "rent-a-ranch" place. There were very few people present, no alcohol flowing and most of them seemed to be surprised to see a band playing.

There was one guy who was digging us, however; and that was the guy I played for--he clapped, occasionally hollered encouragement and put a $50 bill in our tip jar. We continued the effort like we were playing to a packed & stacked audience, but in this case it was an audience of ONE.

Later, we found out he was pretty powerful in the company, and he made sure we got other gigs for the corporation's get-togethers...we jammed later that night at a friend's house and got more response (with basically the same set list!)

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Back in the late 60's when I did play in a band it, was nice to hear people clap in appreciation for our efforts. Now I like to go to small clubs and wineries to hear live local music. I always listen and clap at the end of 99% of the songs. I will either purchase the band's cd, which a lot of them sell during their breaks or I leave a tip. Live music is the best! Most of the people I am with are not musicians and they usually clap after each song. I would guess people who don't clap don't realize what goes into performing live music and/or they are really only there to socialize with their friends. They are easy to spot. They are the ones that are continually talking throughout the songs. There is a whole lot of talent out there that will never achieve the success they deserve. I would say that being in the right place at the right time has as much to do with success as talent does. I don't go in for large venue current popular recording artists concerts. In a couple of weeks I am taking a road trip vacation to Memphis and Nashville and am looking forward to listening to the area talent in the local watering holes.

Applause is nice, especially if it's during the song too. Then you can tell people are really into it and you play better because of their energy. Those gigs are really special because it feels like everyone's involved. But I've played gigs where all we got were of a couple of people clapping politely, if that. But even if the people aren't dancing or shouting doesn't mean they don't appreciate your music. Honestly, I'm one of the polite clapping people when I see other bands play even if I really, really like them. It doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it as much as the guy at the bar who's screaming his head off, I just show it in a different way.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird