Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?

Subject: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:09 PM

This is the third month I've chickened out of singing at the local open mic... this time, I made it there and even told people I would do it, and then still didn't... I need a kick in the pants, quick! (Well, actually, you have a month or so.)

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:24 PM

Having a friend put you on the spot in front of a large audience might work - that's what happenned to me. (i'd prevaricated so long there were no slots left to sign up)

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: GUEST,Margaret V. at work
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:35 PM

Mrrzy, how about writing down the reason(s) why you want to sing at the open mic, and bringing it with you to the venue as a reminder? I find that I chicken out in two circumstances: when I'm worried about not being "good enough" and when I think it's the "wrong" kind of audience. I sing successfully, or at least happily, when I remember that the song I have chosen is a great song that I want to share with others; the song becomes more important than the singer, freeing me from much of the worry about being good enough and allowing me to concentrate on telling the story of the song. But sometimes I really need to remind myself of that, so maybe writing your motivations down (whatever they are) would help. Then again, maybe you just need to wait until it feels right, or maybe you would like a different venue better. Are you reasonably comfortable with the scene at this particular open mic?

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Amergin
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:47 PM

Mrrzy my friend...am always happy to give you a kick in the arse....BG.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: greg stephens
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:58 PM

Write a cheque for $1000 to a political cause you seriously disapprove of. Give it to a friend you seriously trust and make them faithfully promise to mail it to the organisation concerned if you fail to sing next month.If this doesnt work, increase to $10,000 the month after. You'll soon be singing like a nightingale.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 02:45 PM

Close your eyes and pretend you are in your own living room.....just do it. The butterflies will probably go away after a while. They finally did for me.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: GUEST,Kingbrilliant
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 02:55 PM

How about collaborating with someone else for your first go? That way its not all hingeing one you (so that takes the panic out). The other advantage is that you will have to go ahead with it otherwise you let the other person down (you're still letting them down if you allow yourselves to go into double-panic mode & both chicken out).
Telling people you are going to do it might make it more nerve-wracking for you, so perhaps don't tell too many people beforehand.
Best of luck with it - I bet you'll love it!! Its very addictive once you start.......

Kris

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 03:06 PM

I was put on the singers list by a folk dancing friend at an EFDSS
weekend.I had never sung solo before and made a complete pillock
of myself,but after that baptism of fire,a floor spot in my local folk
club was a doddle.I now get paid for doing it.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 03:19 PM

You aren't alone. I got out of the singing for a good mnay years - and when I decided I wanted to do it again, I found I couldn't find the nerve. I'd sit there, knowing I was no worse than most and better than a good few, but it didn't help.

I'm not sure how it ended - I think I wrote a song, and then I had to sing it or it wouldn't have got sung. And it was a small club of people who all knew each other, and most of the people in the room would probably have sung from time to time, so it wasn't a set up with performers and an audience who weren't performers, sitting there waiting to be entertained.

I wrote a song about it too:

Well, I went down to the pub one night
and I was feeling right,
and I was feeling happy -
I'm going to sing my song tonight.
I'm going to sing my song,
I'm going to sing my song,
And I was feeling happy -
I'm going to sing my song,.

But when I got up in the pub tonight
I never stood there in the light.
No, I went up to the bar instead,
I never sang my song tonight.
I never sang my song,
I never sang my song,
No, I went up to the bar instead,
I never sang my song tonight.

But when I came out of the pub tonight
I felt a little sad inside.
And I was feeling sad because
I never sang my song tonight.
I never sang my song,
I never sang my song,
And I was feeling sad because
I never sang my song tonight.

But when I went back to the pub again
I said, "I'll do it right.
Tonight's the night I'm going to sing my song,
I'm going to sing my song tonight".
I'm going to sing my song,
yes, I'm going to sing my song,
Tonight's the night I'm going to sing my song,
I'll sing my song tonight.

And I stood up in the pub tonight,
and I stood there in the light.
And I started shaky, but I ended strong -
and I sang my song tonight.
I sang my song,
yes, I sang my song,
And I started shaky, but I ended strong -
I sang my song tonight.

And when I came out of the pub tonight,
the moon was shining bright,
and I was feeling happy.
I sang my song tonight.
I sang my song,
yes, I sang my song,
I was feeling happy,
I sang my song tonight.

And when I go back to the pub again
I might sing a song or two -
but I know I'll join the chorus,
and the singer might be you.
And we'll sing our songs,
yes, we'll sing our songs.
And I will join the chorus,
and the singer might be you.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Bert
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 03:32 PM

Just remember YOU are the famous 'Mrrzy of Mudcat', you have hundreds of fans. You can do no wrong. You can go anywhere in the world and your fans will give you a royal welcome. You have to perform next time, you can't let all your fans down.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 04:14 PM

A great way to get used to singing for an audience is on PalTalk, in one of the LIVE rooms. There's a great range of styles and abilities represented, and I'm sure you'll be well above the bottom of the ability range. You can sign up in some unknown name if you're so inclined, so you're effectively anonymous. And in any case the people in these live rooms are extremely supportive, so that you KNOW nobody is going to make fun of you or put you down, even if you goof under your nom de plume.

A few exposures under these conditions, where you realize you sang for a live and generally fairly knowledgeable audience and didn't fall apart, and you'll be ready to try the open mike sessions.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 04:30 PM

Personally I find the idea of singing on Paltalk a lot more intimidating.

Song circles/ singarounds are a great way of getting over the hurdle about singing in public.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 05:04 PM

I'll second what Kingbrilliant said. Get with a friend and do it together. You don't have to work up polished duets or anything. It's a lot easier to do the "Just pretend you're playing in your living room" thing if you're doing it with a friend that you're used to playing with.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Tweed
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 08:24 PM

If you figger out what it is Mrzzy, let me know will ya? I'm in the same boat right now and can't put a finger on why exactly. Was goin' strong for a while, but poof...gone....Must be some sort tidal influence...

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: GUEST,the fantum
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 08:08 AM

Mrrzy
Screw up your courage and DO IT
Do not think about what people will think
How it will go
Will I fail or corpse or go wrong
DO IT

The fact that you are this far means you are ready
You have probably had more practice than you need
DO IT

Everyone was like you at some point
It took me a lot longer than 3 months to screw up the courage
All have had to start like you
Keep in mind they have been practicing on you
DO IT

Those in the audience will help you
They will want you to do well
DO IT

Why should you try
When it goes well then you feel good
When its a disaster it feels bad
When its just going through the motions it feels a waste
But if it goes great you will remember it with pleasure all your life
It will never be boring

Go for it and let us all know how you get on

Fantum

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 08:42 AM

I like KingBrilliant's idea of going up there with someone else. I've seen it work in the past and it isn't so scary if you share the stage with a friend.

Whatever you do, good luck. Singing on stage is a fine way to pass an evening. Singing while seated at a table and surrounded by singing friends is even better. Happy memories of such a night come back to me now.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 04:42 PM

Ok... keep 'm coming!

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 06:01 PM

Mrrzy - Does the venue at which the open mike is held allow jamming or warming up outside of the building, like in a courtyard or parking lot? The open-mic I used to help with did allow it and it was common for newcomers to join the jammers in the courtyard a couple of times before getting up the nerve to play on the stage. Playing in the courtyard amounted to playing for many of the same people, but it was a lot less intimidating. No need to worry about making mistakes etc.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 06:19 PM

McGrath of Harlow said:

"Personally I find the idea of singing on Paltalk a lot more intimidating.

"Song circles/ singarounds are a great way of getting over the hurdle about singing in public."

That's what a PalTalk room is, is a song circle, with the one difference that you don't see the other participants. If you're afraid of making a fool of yourself, you CAN adopt a nom de plume, but you certainly don't have to. You also, of course, have a chance to sing a lot more in an evening (cumulatively) than the time you would likely be given in an open mike, and without having to sing a number of songs consecutively, so you can be fresh for each song you do.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 08:33 PM

..."with the one difference that you don't see the other participants" and that is a major difference. I like being alone when I'm singing, or in company, and Paltalk is sort of neither of these and both at the same time. I can imagine how some people would find that less intimidating, but I don't. Well, maybe intimidating isn't the word, something more like embarassing is maybe better.

The other thing is, because of time differences, they tend to be at times I'd be waking other people up.

Essentially though I like music and singing to be part of a conversation with people in the same room. Horses for courses.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Oct 02 - 04:07 PM

Hmmm - paltalk, good thought, need a mic for the computer though. I did get a new monitor recently which may have other accoutrements I don't know about yet... or maybe I could get a mic from the same person I borrowed the monitor from.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: GUEST,Richard Bridge (cookie and format C)
Date: 18 Oct 02 - 05:49 PM

Try somewhere without a microphone - they always make my mistakes sound worse!

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Margaret V
Date: 19 Oct 02 - 11:35 AM

Mrrzy, computer mics are pretty inexpensive. Like everything else there's no doubt a "you-get-what-you-pay-for" range of quality but you can get 'em for as little as ten dollars! I haven't had much opportunity to visit Paltalk lately, but I must say it's been a great experience for me. Like any other live venue, some rooms and crowds resonate more with my musical taste than others; but it inspired me to actually get under my belt a bunch of songs I only half-knew, and to try them out for a little feedback before singing them in 3-D public. Plus, it's just inspiring realizing how many brilliant, enthusiastic musicians there are all over the world, sitting in their living rooms but wanting to share music. It is a little strange, because, like McGrath said, you're neither alone nor with people... but to me it has felt mostly like I AM with people; same excitement about hearing a new song, sharing recommendations for other artists to listen to, or other versions of songs, and quite often people bounce off each other in choosing what song to sing next, taking inspiration from one another's choices. So there's a little testimonial, all toward saying that I firmly believe my participation in Paltalk has made me braver about performing in 3-D. Why not try it?   Margaret

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Nov 02 - 01:53 PM

...um...ok...it's the first Friday of the month. Maybe if I say here that I'm gonna try it AHEAD OF TIME, then I'll HAVE TO! (I'm not counting on it, but hey...)

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: pattyClink
Date: 08 Nov 02 - 02:23 PM

Go get 'em, Mrzzy! It'll be great once you jump in and do it!

one idea that might help; choose for your main piece a song you really WANT these folks to hear. Something you do awesomely better than they've ever heard it, or something new that only you can present, or some amazing old song you dug up, some excruciatingly beautiful melody. There's much more of an urgency and an ease to playing something you're just dying for people to hear. Doesn't have to be perfect, just something you're on fire to show them.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 05:55 AM

C'mon Mrzzy - did ya do it???

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Bluesmike
Date: 09 Nov 02 - 06:49 AM

A well known guitarist- It could have even been Chet Atkins- said- it doesn't matter how good you get there is always someone better and you can always teach a thing or two to someone who is on the way up- it is my own words but it went something like that.
Performing is not a competition it is a sharing. People come to an open mike to LISTEN to what you have to share with them and they want you to kick arse. I went to a performance workshop a few years ago and a valuable lesson about performance went along the lines of----- About fifteen minutes before stage time, go somewhere private and "perform" the first two songs of your set. really work up the energy to yourself. By the time you get onstage you are already halfway through your thing. Believe me everyone there is your friend and they want to hear your story- you are the only one who knows whether you might have sung that one note a bit sharper stronger flatter etc. Goodluck. Oh and once you get past the first 30 seconds you will really know why we bother.
Michael Chandler
Dangar Island

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 01:06 PM

No, I didn't... the boys were acting up and could not be taken out in public (yeah, yeah, great excuse...)   ..but... I have signed up to sing at the facultytalent show next weekend! I shall sing the Nightmare Song from Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe (since I don't play an instrument, I sing songs with lots of words). Then if I have time I'll ask the audience to give me a word from the pattersong and I'll try to find a folk song with that word or concept in it. Then, no matter what anybody says, I'll pretend to hear "headache" and will sing The Suffolk Miracle. Wish me luck! (What do you say, Sprain a vocal cord?)

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 01 Dec 02 - 12:21 PM

Sounds like a good plan, Mrrzy!

Another thought for keeping your resolve: Generally open mikes have a signup sheet. Have a trusted friend swear that he/she will get there early (before you do) and sign you up. Then you're on the hook.

Let us know how it goes, for good or ill!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mudlark
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 02:50 AM

Good luck and good on ya, Mrrzy. If you can sing G & S you are way ahead of most people right there.

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 01:31 PM

Well, OK, it isn't as open mic as all that, but I'm refreshing this because it's TONIGHT and I'm already getting NERVOUS...

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: jeffp
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 01:35 PM

Have fun with it! You'll be great!

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 01:38 PM

Go For It.
Hope you had a good night's rest last night and it wasn't a case of:
"Lying awake with a dismal headache,
and repose is taboo'd by anxiety"!

Best Wishes

Nigel

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 06:39 PM

I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT! And everybody who came up to me later to say how great I was denies that they could tell it was my first time singing in front of people... which I consider a GREAT compliment considering that my legs were shaking so much that it shook my voice unless I stood with my knees bent... which took me the first song to figure out!

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Margaret V
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 09:18 PM

Yay, Mrrzy! That's wonderful! Congratulations, and enjoy the rush, and keep us posted on future endeavors. Margaret

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 03:03 PM

Well Done!, the first 7 years are the hardest! *G*

Subject: RE: Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 03:22 PM

Bailed AGAIN... how start open mic?

you'll excuse me for thinking this was something to do with PELS!

thought someone had bin arrested for 'illegal folk singing'

then released on bail- ready to 're-offend'!