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Post subject: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:51 am
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Well my forum brothers I will be playing in front of a bunch of people for the first time, probably in the next couple weeks or so. Just me and my acoustic. My friends have convinced me to perform at an open mic night at a local bar. Any tips for overcoming nervousness (besides a beer or two beforehand :lol: ) or just tips in general? I'm confident about it, but I don't know how I might react when I actually get on stage.

Wish me luck, I'm gonna need some serious mojo.

-Jake :P

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:04 am
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My first gig was an open mic, think was 1990. Have fun is my best advice. Find a pretty girl in the crowdn and play for her!

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:33 am
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Play only songs that you are 100% sure you can play all the way through; don't try a song you've only played once or twice.

Look at the tops of the people's heads, and they'll think you're looking at them directly.

If you're playing a song you wrote, tell them that--then they'll pay attention a little closer and not have the "what song is this?" look on their faces.

Be extra nice to the waitresses/bartenders; they'll help warm the crowd to you.

Don't drink more than one or two beers at the beginning

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:01 pm
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Don't tell anyone in the audience this is your first gig or that you are nervous. Try to behave as if you do this all the time.


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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:01 pm
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All good advice. Remember that it's an open mic. You aren't being paid to play. You aren't obliged to do anything but have a good time and show appreciation for the chance. Plug the waitresses/baristas or bartenders. (learn their names, encourage tipping, recommend a drink or a bite to eat you might have tried and liked) Thank the establishment. Play things you are comfortable with and have a good time. Crack a joke if that's your thing. If you can, bring someone with you to play to in the crowd. No one will notice. They will think you are playing for them anyhow. If you can't. Try to get there early, but not sign up first thing. Talk to people. Get to know them. Mention them and whatever small talk came up. The best thing to do at open mics is act like you're part of the crowd and you're in your living room playing with a bunch of friends in my experience. Even if it's your first time there. No one goes to an open mic night to see a rock star. Have fun. That's the whole point, right?

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 2:26 pm
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Thanks guys, all great advice. Im gonna go to the venue next week on open mic night and just get a feel for the place. im also gonna perform with all my friends, girlfriend, and her parents there so itll probably be a fun night.

And yeah, definitely no more than a couple beers haha. But probably a few more after :D

-Jake :P

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:11 pm
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Lots of luck with your first gig.My first solo gig was at a local coffee house back in the late 60s when I was only 15 and at the time just having some of my best frinds occupying the seats nearest the stage really boosted my confidence and my stage fright just about vanished.I'm sure that if you have your friends in close proximity you won't have any stage fright.

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:15 pm
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Just concentrate on having a good time and don't stress if you make a mistake. :D Playing live is one of the most fun things you can do!

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:18 pm
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Screamin' Armadillo wrote:
Play only songs that you are 100% sure you can play all the way through; don't try a song you've only played once or twice.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! When you're done, rehearse some more!
Always have an extra song up your sleeve in case you're asked to do an encore.

Congratulations!


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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:18 pm
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Thats the spirit! Always a help to bring along some familiar faces. I remember my first open mic, I was visiting my cousin in Orlando(I lived in NY at the time), he kinda pushed me into it. It was at a coffe/beer garden type place, and original music only. I had a lot of fun, and got some pretty good feedback after I finished. Just practice a lot before you go, and have fun, thats what it's all about! Break a leg!

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:56 pm
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Hard to understand that it can be piece of cake, when it's your first time out. Even pros admit unease at times. Be well prepared technically, know your material. You'll take confidence from that and remember....borrowing a line from Rick Nelson....'ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself." Keep us posted.

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:32 pm
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Best of Luck dear friend! Perhaps you can post your epic performance on You Tube so we can see! Again . . . Best of luck to you!


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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:03 am
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Thanks again guys, i can always count on the forum to put my mind at ease. I'll let you know when im actually going to so you can give me a sufficient amount of mojo.

And reno, i would but i think knowing i was being recorded would mess me up more than the crowd would :lol:

-Jake :P

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:50 am
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Skip the "beer or two" and just let your music flow. Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: First Gig
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 8:06 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
Skip the "beer or two" and just let your music flow. Good luck!

Mike and I are coming from the same place. Of course, based on years of having been up front, so to speak.

About 14 years ago, my old friend and bandmate [drummer] married off his daughter. We agreed, before hand that we would sit in and do something. I spoke to the leader some weeks earlier that we'd probably do some Chuck Berry. At the wedding, without having been on stage together for thirty years, we played "Roll Over Beethoven", with the wedding band, without any rehearsal. It was a slam dunk...like we had just done a gig the night before. I have no doubt that, if I sat in with Mike, in the same fashion, it would turn out the same. Now it takes some water under the bridge to get to that point, but you'll get there.

As I wrote earlier, be well prepared, please yourself and look happy about what you're doing. Your audience with follow along.

Also keep in mind that anyone with the self-confidence to use the screen name Arnold Layne is one in who's counsel one can rely.....ladie's underwear not-withstanding. :wink: :wink:

Doc :wink:

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