Where do you play and how do you start?

Subject: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Tucker
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 09:29 PM

I see most of you actually seem to do this for a living. I wanted to but I traveled down a wee different path and got side-tracked. I believe it's never too late but where are the clubs and how do you get hired in them? Do groups do better than singles? I like to sing and play with both. Thanks to all

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 09:39 PM

Ah, Tucker, I'm afraid most of us here have to do actual work to support ourselves. Most of us do music for fun, although there are a few professionals and would-be professionals among us.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Reta
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 10:06 PM

Hi Tucker.

Why not call some of the clubs where you live and offer to entertain for tips from the customers? If you are good it can be very rewarding in more ways than one. Most club owners are tickled to have entertainers as it draws the crowds in. Don't be shy, try it.

Blessings Reta

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From:
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 10:19 PM

I'm not sure if I should comment, but I will anyway

If you are used to performing in public, it's fine to seek out a place/club to perform for tips. However, if you are used to singing in bathrooms, etc, you might want to consider an alternative route. Check with your local music store(s) where you might find a bulletin board or some body who serves as such. They might know of either
1 - a group forming or in existence looking for a new body
2 - a "folk music society" which might hold open mic sessions
3 - look in the Entertainment section of your newpaper for other Open Mic sessions.

If you're not used to being in front of an audience, those sessions or working within a group, you can hone your skills with less stress in company with others who share a similar style of music.

I'm 45 this year, and until last year, had NEVER sung a song solo. But since I had been attending a series of sessions started by the Harbour Folk Society I was comfortable with these people. I still don't do it often but I have gotten to feel more comfortable doing so.

It makes a big difference being in front of people, and doing it yourself.

It's not my intention to get into the music business, but to recall songs from my youth. If you're looking, Tucker, to get into the music business you might try doing open mic sessions to get comfortable with the feel of being on-stage.

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Tucker
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 11:52 PM

I had a rock group as a teen and my only hangup was singing, I don't know why, people tell me I am good. No, not in it for the money anymore, I just like that charge of singing for people and having an audience........make sense? My first love has always been folk and I really hated most rock until the british invasion (The EARLY Stones were great with their blues, I've always liked blues too). Thanks for the advice from all, and I will take it. Not any clubs here though Joe. I'd have to migrate to Cincy or Columbus to play I think. It's late and I am so tired....starting to ramble. I'll read my thread in the morning, it'll probably make more sense then. thanks to everyone

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Mudjack
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 12:00 AM

Find yourself an "open mic" or song circle and start attending. Go the first few times as an observer and get the feel for whats happening.You'll find that most songsters/musicians are very tollerent and understanding to new comers.We all have been there no matter what the level of playing and singing is. Courage will come with confidence meaning work on your material until you are really comfortable with it. Then go and do it shaking in your boots the first time, we all go through the terrible first time shaking, gasping for air and think we're going to pass out. But afterwards you'll tell yourself, "that was'nt all that bad and I lived to tell about it".Once you initially get over that first gig, you will continue your growth as a starving musician. Even if you really work for a living, you'll still be a starving musician because you'll be starving for a place to perform.Your reward is when someone pays a compliment to your song, voice,playing or performance. Some folks(myself included) play bars,coffee houses, private parties, folk society song circles, festivals,art shows, open mics, and just casual get togethers. the slam comes when you just run out of places to sing and play and find yourself not fulfilling your music needs.When you find the right venue,treasure it but be ready to move on when the time comes but always go back and listen in support to those upcoming singers who need your input and morale support.Those are some of my experiences and hope you find some benefit from these offered words of wisdom and welcome to the songster society. Jack mostly folk

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Mike Billo
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 10:01 AM

I've always believed that the best "earn while you learn" gig is being a street musician. You can polish your singing and playing while people who want to stay and listen will, those who don't will move on. You're not accountable to a bar owner who, is ultimately in the liquor business, not the music business. You can also see which of your songs are being well-received and which ones aren't, all while picking up a little extra money. No breathing second-hand smoke or being up until all hours.

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Jon W.
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 10:32 AM

I'm basically in the same boat as Tucker or even further behind. One place I've performed is in an old folks home. These people are always grateful for entertainment. It's a place to polish material before a non-threatening and always appreciative audience, as well as performing a valuable community service - obviously you wouldn't be doing it for remuneration but I guarantee you will feel good, having given something to someone in need.

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: MMario
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 10:36 AM

I don't play, just sing, and oddly enough, am much more comfortable singing in front of large crowds of people I don't know then I am singing in smaller groups or for people I know. My actual first public solo performance was when I volunteered to sing a song at the Georgia Ren-faire - after having had several cream ales...and I never thought the guy would take me up on it! But with three video cameras running and about 200 people watching it was a little late to back out. Actually went off very well, much better then a performance of the same song 5 years later at King Richard's faire, where I was singing for just a few friends....

MMario

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: SeanM
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 11:29 AM

I'm on MMario's track... I perform as part of a singing group of about 30-40 people at a California renfaire, and having that many people singing (at a widely varied level of talent) for a mostly receptive crowd helped me to get around stage fright fairly easily.

Since then, I still do the Renfaire gig, but have also joined a small folk act made up of five of us from the larger group... so not only did it help me get over singing before a crowd, it got me a semi-professional gig!

M

Subject: RE: Where do you play and how do you start?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Apr 99 - 09:08 PM

Open mikes are a great place to start.Lots of clubs have an open mike night{Ours was always on Wednesday}The nice thing is you can listen to how others hold or don't hold the room.It sounds like you probably already have some "mike craft"from your rock-band days and honing solo skills can be easyer with the kind of safty net you get in that envirnment. There are so many diferent kinds of audiences and envirnments to work in but mostly peaple want to have a good time so if your of that mind too, it usualy works out just fine. Have fun at any rate......If you like playing solo you can make a better income but do you feel comforatble with say 100 songs and tunes to fall back on? A normal set at a club is somthing like 45 minutes on and 10 or 15 minutes off with say 3 or 4 sets. As the night changes can you change too?A set to bring the energy up ....Something to quiet the room down.. Something uplifting...How about the night you have the flew? It is very nice to have a trusted friend to split the night with.Say you do some duo stuff and then have some solo things each..A two way split is pritty good and that might be a good jumping off place from the open mike thing..Sorry I'm not out to plan your musical future ,it is fun though talking shop. I had a duo with a woman named Lui Collins for three years and we had a blast.If she was tired I took the energy and when I faded she took the torch. Sometimes we inspired each other to things neither of us ever expected.Thats when you know it's good. All my best to you, cheers Guy........................