My first gig (microsize)

[Back'N'Black]

Only two songs at an open mic last Sunday nite. No sweat we thought, probably be only a handfull of people. Crowded biker bar

42 year old drummer who first picked up the sticks 6 monthes ago, 38 year old lead guitarist who started a year ago, 50-60 something legally blind rhythm guitarist who last played in a band in the 60's, me I bought a bass a few monthes ago because it looked like the only way to get in a band. No singer. With me so far? And I had met "the Band" the day before, never played in a band before.

Oh yeah we were a little nervous. I plug my bass into the amp on stage and nothing, dead as a doornail. Helpfull friendly bass player from opening band says here use this one, then tells me, dont make us look bad. OMG! The neck was bowed to the point where the strings were over a 1/2" off the fretboard and some kind of weird coated strings, recessed pickup so no place to rest thumb (using fingers). Second song I remember I have a pick in my pocket.

We first played I've Had It, an old old song that the guitarist had moderned up some. We didnt get booed off stage suprisingly. Then Takin Care Of Business, the dance floor filled up!

When I got home my bass worked fine

[nutso42]

Oi. Were you playing through effect pedals of some sort? That could've caused the lack of sound.

[Orangeclawhamme]

Ya gotta love those open mics. I have played at several with just my bass. People in coffee houses love "Boris the Spider" no matter how maany mistakes you make if you can get a somewhat convincing growl in the refrain.

[Dkerwood]

Heh. The last time I went to an open mic, I walked in the door at 9pm and the place had 4 people sitting at the bar. Stage was empty except for some mics. We told them we came for the open mic, and they told us to wait right there and "we'll get you set up". We waited for a half hour and finally someone came out... and started putting away the microphones. We left.

...and that bar shut down a week or so later.

[Stumbo]

Congrats on the open mic gig. Experience is a great teacher. You might want to check out the links in my sig. below for some great TB info that may help you on your bass learning journey.

Good luck

[WayneS]

Originally Posted by Back'N'Black

...me I bought a bass a few monthes ago because it looked like the only way to get in a band.

What a great reason to play bass. No love for the instrument!

[MikeyFingers]

I'm glad you had a pretty good experience. At least you got people dancing.

Open mic nights are a guaranteed disappointment from my experience. Every time I've ever played at one, the crowd sucked. Doesn't matter what night, what venue, what town/city, or what kind of music you play, the only people who go to open mics are usually:
A - Unaware it's open mic night and thus, don't care about your music
B - Friends of the musicians and are only there to support their buddy and thus don't care about your music
or C - The other musicians. Unless you go with a band, playing with strangers can be a disaster. I've played with drummers, guitarists and even singers who think way too highly of themselves and use open mics as a chance to showcase their "talents". The scene which ensues can go without description.
Not to mention the fact that 90% of the open mics I've been to usually pull a crowd of no more than 10-15 people (including all those listed above and the bartenders).

[T-Bird]

Hi.

We don't really have open mic nights over here for various reasons, but if we had, I'd probably gave them a try. Despite the fact that playing with unknown "artists" has proven to be a disaster in the past .

Good to hear that Your first gig went OK in any case. May there be many more in the future.

Originally Posted by Back'N'Black

me I bought a bass a few monthes ago because it looked like the only way to get in a band. :

Originally Posted by WayneS

What a great reason to play bass. No love for the instrument!

Eh.. That was my reason as well back in the mid 80's. For me the love for the music and entertaining should come first. I guess that it still makes me a wannabe or something then. IMHO only of course.

Regards
Sam