Open mic nights

lenosgood · #1 12-20-2010, 03:58 PM

Never been to one...how do they work?

SR505bassman · #2 12-20-2010, 04:03 PM

I'd like to know too :-) On a similar topic - hosted jam sessions at a venue - how do they work? What is/is not expected of you? What is proper etiquette?

Thanks!

Govier966 · #3 12-20-2010, 04:09 PM

I love open mics generally a lot of people just come and play their songs. theres really not more to it than that.

6jase5 · #4 12-20-2010, 04:11 PM

I play at them all the time (5-10 per month) since you can play at least 2 every night of the week in San Diego if not more. Typically you show up about 30 minutes before the start time and put your name on a list, which will be the order you play. Depending on the crowd you may play 2 songs or like last week which was pretty dead, my singer and I played for 45 minutes which was great. One place in Hollywood you had to submit a demo and they booked 3 weeks in advance since it was well known and had frequent cameo's (Beck, Pete Yorn, Sheryl Crow, etc.). You got 8 minutes max with 5 to set up.

As I'm an electric player and normally we are a hard rock full band, I bring my Dearmond Starfire for open mic and usually plug in direct. At one place that we play consistently, I bring my ampeg b1000r, but only since they know us and usually let us play 5 songs or an hour before the event starts.

With us it's my singer and I as we're the vocals and foundation, and sometimes our drummer comes and brings a dijembe and rarely the lead guitar player comes with acoustic in hand. Usually the band size is limited to the stage size and number of inputs on the board/direct boxes, etc. Best to go a week before you want to play and have a look.

Winnb · #5 12-20-2010, 04:14 PM

Just sit in and play. Sometimes they'll be a name guy there, like the one near me sometimes has Kieth Horne (studio guy) and some pro drummers, but it can be anyone or no one. Just show up, ask to play. Great way to make contacts, network, shoot the **** and have fun. Be nice, be funny, compliment other players. Great way to meet potential band mates too.

Just do it. It's just music.

zachoff · #6 12-20-2010, 04:19 PM

There are differences but at some there's a schedule and it's first come, first served. Others you have to call ahead to get on the schedule. You usually have a house backline and bring your own bass & guitar and you get about 20 minutes to play whatever. Usually some band thinks they're super cool and above the 20 minute limit and ruin the night for the bands that follow them.

musicman7722 · #7 12-20-2010, 04:29 PM

I used to go to a lot with my bass and very small kick back size amp. Over time the acoustic players got to know me and I sat in with nearly everyone of them. Played most of the night. Most of them played covers so it was great for me. Free coctails, meeting new musicians and being able to test your ear and chops on the fly. Excellant improv training.

Plays_For_Dog · #8 12-20-2010, 04:48 PM

It's a good idea to scope one out before you decide to jump on the list. When I first moved to Amarillo, I went out to see one of the only two open mics nights in town. I'm glad I did because the atmosphere, performers and crowd were NOT a good mix for me. I haven't been back. It would have been an uncomfortable evening had I jumped right on the list and drug my gear inside, only to sit in a place I didn't fit into with a crowd that didn't want me there.

Dirty Basstard · #9 12-20-2010, 04:53 PM

I've seen them done many different ways. Best bet is to go to one with the sole intention of watching how it goes and asking the person who runs it questions.

SR505bassman · #10 12-20-2010, 04:55 PM

Thanks for the replies (and to the OP for the start)!! This was helpful to me :-) There's a place just 30 min or so from me that has these twice a week. It's hosted by a local band that's pretty good. I was planning on attending to see what's up before actually bringing my bass anyway - but getting input from those who have been to these is great. Thanks again. Hope to check things out soon (probably after holiday busyness has died down :P )

lenosgood · #11 12-20-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR505bassman

Thanks for the replies (and to the OP for the start)!! This was helpful to me :-) There's a place just 30 min or so from me that has these twice a week. It's hosted by a local band that's pretty good. I was planning on attending to see what's up before actually bringing my bass anyway - but getting input from those who have been to these is great. Thanks again. Hope to check things out soon (probably after holiday busyness has died down :P )

OP here...thanks for the info from me too. Sounds like it could be fun. I'll have to go check out a few and see what happens.

Ubersheist · #12 12-20-2010, 05:28 PM

I've done a bunch of them. Whenever I'm new to an area, I go to get the dust off me and to meet a few other musicians. It can be a great place to network (find your next band, find a singer or guitarist, etc.).

Unless it's a really slow night, you get about 3 songs in your time slot. They usually give you up to about 15 minutes unless you're phenomenally good and got the crowd mesmorized. If this is you're first night at an open mic, you're probably not phenomenally good. I've seen them cut people off and shut off the PA system when they go over.

Most will have a small PA system with a mic and somewhere to plug in 1/4 inch cords for your bass guitar. Make sure before you go. If they don't, bring a small amp with a very small set up. They don't typically like bands coming in unless they all are on the 15 minutes (then it's awesome), and you can get set up and tear down after super quick - i.e. bring an acoustic guitar, a bass guitar and a djimbe or bongos. It's a very bad idea to show up with a bunch of band members, lots of pedals or amps, or a drum kit, unless you have prior permission from whomever's throwing the open mic night. Most won't let you set up drums at all.

Be there early and before it starts. Most have a random drawing for the order of who goes. Some you have some control over (pick your time slot), some you don't. Some can be altered with your help - for example, one of the local ones draws all the names written on paper from a hat. If you put your name on a peice of paper that's had origami done to it or has a 1 dollar bill stuffed into it, he'll pick it first and you can choose your time slot first.

Some don't pay ASCAP fees, so they won't allow covers (no Neil Young, don't do that funny version of a Justin Beiber song that you do, only play songs written by you).

SR505 - It sounds like you're gonna check the place out first. Good idea! It'll let you get a good feel for how things run and what to expect.

Downunderwonder · #13 12-20-2010, 08:37 PM

The one I go to the host takes a small PA and kicks off the night. A few regulars will be attendance and he'll give over to one of them and make an announcement that it's open mic and anyone else who wants to have a crack is welcome to come talk to him.

I often sit in all night on bass. If someone wants to play mine I let them unless they are chopped. Last guy to ask looked kind of familiar but he was too pissed. He went off in a huff. The host dude does same on his acoustic gat and some folks bring their own.

The host started to give me a hard time about dragging in a bass rig mid show so I take my ubass and go thru the PA now. Leaves more room for dancing with no bass sticking into the dancefloor.

Reminds me. Stage? What stage! Singers get their mic smashed in their face by drunk dancers on a regular basis. It's a riot but in a fun way.... until the host gets drunk and starts asaulting drunken idiots. Which is another reason I'm rocking the Ubass. I can be outta there quicksmart.

Downunderwonder · #14 12-22-2010, 07:55 AM

Almost forgot. I was hosting at a different one more of an open jam and young gatman songster approaches. Can he do some originals? Sure, mind if we sit in? He rips into it and after a round me and drummer jump in like it was rehearsed, (nice easy structure).

Couple more numbers likewise. You should have seen the smile on this guy's face after we finished. All his friends were boogying to the funky music. I don't think he had ever played in a band before, just an accomplished bedroom player so we kind of made his life. Made my year anyway.