Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey yall, I've done some acoustic open mics on Mondays sort of thing where you go and sign up before start time and pick your number in the order of 10 to 20 slots and you go up solo or in a group and do three or four songs, whatever there's time for. Electric open jam I have never done but I have an occasional Sunday night off and wouldn't mind checking it out. Anyone know how this works? I've gone a few times and it's a brokenhearted guitar player running the thing, with 15 guys with walls up in a room where the bartenders are the only ones talking. I have no idea how to get involved. Thanks, love the noobie with boobies.

Hi, NwB, open mics are an odd thing. Firstly, they are often hosted by folks who are tired or gigging but want to play so frustrated or hogs.

Secondly, the same people usually come week after week and play the same exact songs.

It just takes time. Stick around, learn their "go to" songs, compliment the good ones, ask if you could accompany sometime!

While there's often times drama or BS at open mics, I've also met alot of cool and genuine people who are good musicians!

They're all different and have a different culture. Though I'd agree with strummin on several of his points, sometimes these things are run by some dude that hogs half of the show, sometimes it's a clique of friends who don't treat outsides very kindly, some are focused to a specific style of music and don't want anything but blues, country, or depressing emo stuff, some are ultra-cool and open to all. I'd do some recon before signing up. Check out the competition, maybe talk to the folks running it, etc. It's a good place to get some performance experience for sure. Pick your strongest material when you do play. I did a couple to force myself to play solo. Also lookout for jams too - they do a few of those here. They seem to be mostly bluegrass and blues. Even if those styles aren't your bag they are good experience playing with others and having to stay in-sync and good lessons on how to recover from mistakes.

Open mics, imho, waste alot of your time while waiting to play, then, they limit the time you get to actually play.
You would do better to find a few friends to play with (if you play guitar, then maybe look for bass and drums) and get together once or twice a week or month.

Other than that, all you can do is ask the bartender, "Who is hosting this this jam?"... then speak to them about what you want to do.
If they are not a DeadHead specific host band, maybe brush up on a song the host band might know, like... Johnny B. Goode???

It depends on what you want out of them. You're not going to get a ton of playing time but you'll get a little experience if you don't have much.

Most importantly they can be a great way to meet fellow musicians, and already know how they play. It's like speed-dating for potential bandmates.

thanks for the input

Have you ever thought to start you own ' open mic ' ?
Kinda of how I do things.Sorta.
I get to meet lots of heads of different levels of playing ability - make friends/ bang the tunes out.
Its fun. We rent a studio thats central to the players locations.
Its just as many players as needed - its not a true open mic in that sense - but the players rotate session to session.
I like to cherry pic on various sites for potential jammers.It can be as serious as you want it to be.
Great way to net work , too.
Bottom line is playing with more experienced musicains is key for getting better.
.02$
Good luck

tiffcheese wrote: I have no idea how to get involved. Thanks, love the noobie with boobies.

Sorry, You left yourself wide open for it.

You'd think that a woman with a guitar would get all sorts of attention?!

lol I went in without a guitar and I'm not showing my tits

edit to add: this is tiffcheese on new screenname

Cool, Tiff, you did it? How'd it go? I was going to suggest bringing a buddy, especially if you're shy, it's nice to have at least one person to talk to. But I bet you did great!

easytoslip wrote:lol I went in without a guitar and I'm not showing my tits

edit to add: this is tiffcheese on new screenname

Easy to fall, maybe bring a guitar next time.

easytoslip wrote:lol I went in without a guitar and I'm not showing my tits

Dan, I meant in the past when I went to elec open mics, I didn't get all sorts of attention as a female with a guitar bc I went without a guitar to just check it out.

I don't really see myself holding my own open mic. But I like the idea of finding people to get together with once or twice a week or month!

p.s. oh my, do boys love boobs or what?