Have you ever played outdoors at 38 degrees F.?

Dave R · #1 10-13-2008, 03:01 PM

I did, this past Saturday. Playing for a city event. It had already been rescheduled once due to rain. So when the forecast said 40F and windy, they went ahead with the show, anyway.

The stage had a cover over it, but open all around. Wind was so strong it blew our music stands over during setup. So we just set our music on the ground a clothes-pinned the heck out of it.

The sound man did his best in a constant battle between wind noise, feedback and audibility.

Instruments were mostly out of tune, despite our best efforts to acclimate them before tuning.

We were all wearing multiple layers and beanies/hats.

But we played with vigor, thinking that, at least, we were making a good contact with the sound guy, who we know makes recommendations for live music regularly. And we scored points with our contact, who will likely hire us again.

And I think we did our job--we gathered all available guests to the vendor area. All 20 or so of them

Cathead · #2 10-20-2008, 10:48 AM

I played once while it was spitting snow. I can't remember what the temperature was, but it was cold. We were on the parking lot of a grocery store in Marion, VA. It was back in the 70s.

Gufenov · #3 10-20-2008, 10:52 AM

Yep, I learned it can get pretty cold in Northern Wisconsin in September. However, no matter how cold it gets, I'd rather be the bass player than a guitar picker. I can stop a string with a frozen chunk of a hand if I have to, but picking out "Blackberry Blossom" with frozen fingers has gotta be tough!

Dr Piggery · #4 10-20-2008, 11:52 PM

"Have you ever played outdoors at 38 degrees F.?"

No.... but I have played when it was 38 degrees C (thats about 100 degrees F).

Strings don't stay in tune at that temperature either!!

flip18436572 · #5 10-21-2008, 04:59 AM

I have played outside in tornado watches, and snow storms, but it was in rock bands for motorcycle rallies. The coldest I have played with the double is probably 45 and that was a chilly night for most people. I was keeping busy trying to learn, so I didn't really notice the temperature like a lot of people. We needed some more fires to keep those not performing warm.

We have also been in tornado warnings and had to get under the stage for safety. We put garbage bags over our equipment to keep the hail and rain out. Then we played about 30 minutes after the storm passed.

MrLenny · #6 10-21-2008, 05:59 AM

Played outdoors last August on a very cold,windy, rainy day with temps
in the 40's. Low turnout for a crowd of course. We had a contract. The band
leader decided to play the show non-stop for 2 hrs.& 15 minutes.
On the last tune I could hardly move my fingers.
I've said it many times before,outdoor gigs suck!!! In New England the weather is always unpredictable. July I got my equipment really soaked at an outdoor gig again.
Had to borrow garbage bags from maintenance to finish the gig.
Eden 400 dripping wet, Eden 2x10 XST, carpet dripping, Pedulla 5 very wet and we had
an overhead shelter. Outdoor gigs suck. Backyard party at night, after 8PM mosquitoes
just eating you up,etc...etc... Outdoor gigs suck!!!

Bass · #7 10-22-2008, 10:22 AM

Yes, I have! It's tough to play with frozen fingers.

Dave R · #8 10-23-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

but picking out "Blackberry Blossom" with frozen fingers has gotta be tough!

I must admit, our fiddler impressed me. She played most songs with her thin fleece gloves on. I didn't know that was possible. She said it was the first time she tried it. Seemed to work well. She took the gloves off for our medly of Irish fiddle tunes, though.

I played the gig with my secret weapon: Ragwool gloves with no fingertips. Really helps.

boombloom · #9 10-24-2008, 09:02 PM

If you're serious about bluegrass festivals, you're gonna play day and night in all sorts of weather. Check out the Fox Family Festival in Old Forge New York in August. Night time temps can hit high thirties. And bears wander freely through the campground. I remember some lower temps at Gettysburgh in May too.....

D McCartney · #10 10-26-2008, 07:53 PM

Once, an outdoor Christmas show below freezing. But I used electric bass, not upright. Still not fun.
Wintergrass almost always finds some hardy souls jamming in downtown Tacoma in Feb. I must admit to trying it every time, and every time I remember why I didn't continue it the last year.

Marcus Johnson · #11 10-26-2008, 08:12 PM

The best part is, you can get that great gut sound out of any strings, just by wearing your mittens.

PS.... I'm guessing you all are playing plys?

Paul Warburton · #12 10-27-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

The best part is, you can get that great gut sound out of any strings, just by wearing your mittens.

PS.... I'm guessing you all are playing plys?

No, i'm playing my 1610 Gasparo Da Salo upright, which I haul around on top of my car with bungee cords.

Marcus Johnson · #13 10-27-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

No, i'm playing my 1610 Gasparo Da Salo upright, which I haul around on top of my car with bungee cords.

Yeah, the Colorado Symphony gig hasn't been the same since the budget cuts, huh?