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Open Mic - A Redemption Idea?

Dynomuttasaurus

Dynomuttasaurus

Jul 23, 2016
767
1,722
Milwaukee
#1
I chickened out of playing an open mic night almost 3 decades ago. Now, in the second half of my time on this rock, I want to reverse that decision.

The coffee shop in mind has just a basic PA and a couple live mics. Basically, it's set for a solo or duo acoustic singer/songwriter type of vibe. That said, they are an OPEN mic in that comedians, poetry readings, etc. are also encouraged. 15 minutes maximum is the rule.

Here's my stupid "bass solo" idea. Set up a pre-wired cart with 8-track, speaker, amp, and Zoom B1On (for drum beat and effects). Tell a one-minute joke while finalizing setup and get rolling with a tune in 2 parts. First pass is the background = drum beat and low/traditional bass line. Second pass is the foreground = higher notes, melody, harmonics.

This is my trial arrangement at home. I'm going to trim the 0:24 to 1:03 section out to keep it tighter and a total run time of approximately 6:00 minutes (two 3:00 minute passes to make one tune).

 
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#2
Sounds like a perfect situation for what you have in mind. It might also result in some interest from other players wanting to conspire. If i may, a little variety in the drum programming will make it sound like it's "in the band"
To be a little less metronome/bored drummer sounding.
 
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#3
tubedude said:
Sounds like a perfect situation for what you have in mind. It might also result in some interest from other players wanting to conspire. If i may, a little variety in the drum programming will make it sound like it's "in the band"
To be a little less metronome/bored drummer sounding.
Click to expand...
100% agree. I really don't have a drum machine so I'm using the preprogrammed drum beats on the Zoom B1On. Better than a metronome, but only slightly. I've been eyeing the Sdrum as an alternative that is easy to use/minimal pre-work while offering a bit more variation - at least a fill here and there.
 
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#5
If it's all bass, I would try to make it ALL bass.
Can you get creative mimicking the percussive parts on the bass too?
A drum machine at open mic seems a bit off to me. make it all you. :D

I wholehearted agree with keeping the songs short.
Open mic usually means that voice is involved with the microphone. Non musicians tend to have a lower tolerance for instrumental music
Just my thought. break a leg.
 
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#8
I agree that you should start at 1:03 it sounds better from there, and I liked the stops later on - good job!

Also, have you ever tried humming along with a melody line ? (a la Slam Stewart) . . . . think about it - it would be cool. (I did it a little bit with your recording it was fun)
 
#9
Alternative idea if the solo set sounds too daunting at first: Years ago a friend of mine organized an open mic night and tapped me for between-act interlude music. Basically I had however long it took for each act to clear the stage and the next to set up and be ready to start. In practice, it meant between maybe 20 seconds and two minute spans where I'd play short more-or-less improv bits. I had to keep it tuneful and interesting, but the pressure for "fully engaging" was less, since I wasn't a "feature."
 
#11
If you're gonna do this, practice getting on stage, set up, and going AT HOME (or some other place that has pretty much the same setup) - start with everything on the cart, but not plugged into the PA, and levels not set, etc. Time yourself, figure out what snagged you, fix that, do it again. Your rig is gonna be unusual for the place, and probably more complex than they are used to, so anything you can do to streamline your setup process will help avoid the "took most of my time to set up, and I should probably start tearing down now to give the next act a chance at their time" issue.
 
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