A Capella and Open Mikes

Subject: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 03:27 PM

So, I'm thinking of trying an open mike next month, my first foray into singing in public instead if just the shower. My question for those who do/attend these things - what proportion of people sing folks songs a capella? I ask since I have no instrument, I'm wondering if I should try to find someone who plays to go up there with me, or should I just leap off the metaphorical cliff without a parachute. Advice? Thanks!

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 03:40 PM

I would attend a couple of open mikes at the place you're going to make your debut at - just to see what the general ambiance is like. See what kind of material is being performed and then you'll be able to judge better whether or not you should go a capella or whether it would be better to find someone to accompany you. If it's a lot of young "singer/songwriters" with guitars they might not go for a capella. But if it's traditional folk (especially if there's a lot of Irish songs) it would probably be fine.

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: open mike
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 04:10 PM

speaking for a regular open mike attendee-- acapella would be refreshing.. and easier fr the sound techs (if any)to mike-as there would be no need to add extra instrument mikes...

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: pavane
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 05:12 PM

Over here in UK, we don't tend to have any amplification in folk clubs, and many people sing unaccompanied - but I suppose that doesn't help you much.

You need a good voice to get away with it though.

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 08:04 PM

On my first visit to Denver to visit my daughter a couple of years ago, I went to the "Hootenanny" at the Swallow Hill folk music center and signed up for the open mike. I was the only one who performed without a guitar, and I think I was well received. I chose a short comic song, and a parody with a singalong chorus. If I had done all 47 verses of "Tam Lin", on the other hand, or a song about how I felt when my first girlfriend broke up with me even though I really tried to give her space and be supportive when she went on a hunger strike to save the marmots...well, the audience might not have been quite as happy.

I agree with Mary...go to a session as an audience member and see what the ambience is like. You should be able to get an idea of whether you'd fit in, and what songs might go over well.

Bravo to you for getting up the courage to do it...and most of all, have fun!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: Noreen
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 09:29 PM

...a song about how I felt when my first girlfriend broke up with me even though I really tried to give her space and be supportive when she went on a hunger strike to save the marmots... I think it's all in the presentation, Mark- I know a few people who could carry that song off, and get the audience so involved they'd be signing up at the end of the night for the Marmot Preservation Fund... *grin*

I agree with the advice above- some places (I imagine open mikes over there might be similar in that respect to folk club singers' nights over here) will rarely have seen an unaccompanied singer, and feel it their duty to lend you a hand by strumming or beating time (AAAAARGH sorry thread creep) on their guitar... while other places will be more used to a mixture of formats.

Depends on the song that you want to sing, too- some songs should never be accompanied, some are far easier to sing, and to listen to, with an accompaniment.

But whatever you do, sing it as if you mean it: don't apologise for being there. Act the part of a confident, experienced singer, and the audience will believe you!

(I'll get down off the soap box now)

Good luck, Mrrz, and let us know how it goes!

Noreen

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: IvanB
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 10:20 PM

If you want to sing a capella and really don't want any instrumentalists joining in, start on a note in between any two "tempered" scale notes and hold to that relative key. It's really not that hard if you set your mind to it. And the instrumentalists will drive themselves crazy trying to figure out your key. This from someone who rarely sings unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 10:51 PM

Mark -- Get in touch with Derrymacash -- he's interested in taking the whole marmot preservation movement to new heights in Ireland; they're planning on setting a whole day aside for the Orange Marmot Aid.

A

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From: Noreen
Date: 08 Jun 02 - 08:52 AM

groan

Subject: RE: A Capella and Open Mikes
From:
Date: 08 Jun 02 - 09:04 AM

Mrrzy, I sing a capella myself. No one has given me a problem with doing that. Most of the songs I sing are Gaelic, so perhaps they don't know it to try and accompany. When they do know the tune of a song from home(Cape Breton), if there are Capers it isn't a problem since they would know the tune well.

I've been to song circles in Vancouver where most of the folk music is unaccompanied.

I echo the suggestion that you attend a few evenings and get the "lay of the land" so to speak. If the song(s) you like lend themselves to singing-along, please invite them to sing if they know it.