Sweaty palms… check!
Tunnel vision… check!
Forgetfulness… check!
Panic… check!
Do it again? Absolutely!!!!!!
There are very few things in this world as thrilling and at the same time petrifying as getting up and playing with a group at your first open jam.
In some places they call them “open mic nights” or in some places they call them “open jams” or in some places they might not call it much of anything but the concept is generally the same… a “house band” usually plays a few tunes, and then they let people from the audience come on up and sit in.
Sometimes guys from the house band will stay, and sometimes just about everyone will be replaced by someone from the crowd.
Sometimes you’ll have to sign up ahead of time with an organizer of some sort (at the venue) but usually it’s not that formal in my experience… just depends on the crowd and how busy it is.
Regardless of how it works or what it’s called, there are 9 things you can do to make sure you have the best experience possible:
- Go observe first. Most open jams happen on the same night of the week every week or every other week… at worst once a month. The first time, just go and watch. Take notes on what tunes people play and notice the overall vibe and flow of the place. Look to see if there is an organizer or if people just sort of raise their hand as they go.
- When you do finally go with the intent to play, have 2 or 3 songs ready, not just 1. It’s possible someone will have recently played the song you wanted to play and you’ll need to choose an alternate.
- Keep your song choices to semi-popular tunes – The Thrill Is Gone, Tore Down, Going Down, Pride & Joy, Statesboro Blues, Texas Flood, and many others are “household names” in the blues. Asking to play something that no one has ever heard of may get you some looks that won’t set anyone’s mind at ease.
- Introduce yourself as a first-timer when you get up for the first time. This is a HUGE deal and the guys on stage should know it. Don’t pretend to be a pro when you aren’t (I can assure you, it will be obvious.) Revel in the fact that this a new thing and you are thrilled to be a part of it.
- Ask for help from the other guys on stage in setting your level. No one likes a guitar player that gets up and cranks the amp to 10 and drowns everyone out. Likewise, no one wants it to sound like the case of the disappearing guitarist when it’s your turn to solo. You want a level that blends in but isn’t overpowering and the other guys on stage will have a better idea of where that is. So once you pick your level and have an idea of your sound, just look around and strum a chord and ask if that sounds about right. They’ll let you know if you need to go up or down.
- Bring your own guitar, and any pedals if you require them. You might bring an amp, but leave it in the car. Most venues will have amps already on stage and it takes too long to change them out for every new player. If it turns out you need or can use your amp, it’s not far to go grab it.
- Practice setting up and plugging in your gear and getting it to the desired settings quickly – a sharpie can be a big help to mark overdrive pedals when you can’t see them well in a darkened room. The last thing you want is for your solo to be twice as loud as everything else all of a sudden because you forgot to set the level on your pedal!
- Remember that Overdrive tones are trickier to mix in with the band than clean tones. Clean tones are quick and then fade, overdrive creates the illusion of more sustain and that can come across as louded. It may or may not actually be louder, but because it is louder longer before it decays, it takes up more “sonic real estate” and you need to keep it under control. Get really good at turning the volume down on your guitar when you are not playing to kill the buzz that inevitable comes through as well.
- Remember that everyone has a first time and they remember those butterflies and stage fright too. They want to help you or they wouldn’t be there in most cases. And if you see that it isn’t a supportive environment… it’s probably best to move on to one that is.
If you don’t know of any open jams in your area check openmikes.org or your local craigslist or any local blues society websites or mailers. Sometimes in smaller towns without bars people will organize jams outside of public places.
At the end of the day it’s a thrill unlike no other, and you’ll learn more from playing with other people than you can possibly imagine. Not to mention you’ll likely make some friends for life.
Want 5 Plug-N-Play solos in the most common blues feels and keys for your next jam? Check out 5 Easy Blues Solos…
70 replies to "Being Ready For Your First Open Jam"
A great way to get ready is to YouTube backtracks of the songs you might like to do. You can type in e.g. Eric Clapton farther on up the road backtrack. When it comes up it typically will tell you what key it is played. These are great for practicing rhythm, lead, and vocals because it’s just a band playing the song with no lead or vocals. There are thousands of backtracks.
All people act differently to their first public musical experience. (I have made verbal presentations to groups of 10 to 300 people with no hesitation.) An open mike night with a small backing group for anyone who wanted it. The rhythm guitarist wanted to step out for a few songs and ask me to step in. I knew the songs and the key – from there I took Griff’s advise – play a few mini chords per bar and stay out of the way of the vocalist. When the vocalist finished her 3 songs I vibrated my way off the stage.
Number 10 – don’t overthink it. I have played with the boys in Garden Grove from the forum, all levels and every one of them is a class act and makes everyone feel welcome
I have had guys get together in my garage,
Sometimes a train wreck but still fun
Number 11- haters gonna hate. No matter where you go in life, no matter what you do , there is always gonna be a douche-canoe who knocks your playing or is negative. Ignore them, or apoligize and ask their name, this way when you pray at night you can ask to be as perfect in life as they are
Dunno if he does it everywhere, but Jeff Chaz spent about a week (some years ago) in San Bernardino and had jam sessions going almost every night. Seems to be a thing New Orleans players do. Word of advice though, if you drag yourself and an axe or two to New Orleans you used to be able to sit in almost anywhere but when they’re on their home turf you’d best have some chops going. As gracious as I’ve found them to be, they have no room for someone without chops. Using a lot of Griff’s advice above will possibly get you by. Good stuff Griff.
Make sure any amp or instruments you leave in your car are out of sight in the trunk or otherwise covered. Public jams are often targeted by thieves in-the-know. Learned that the hard way. Nothing like feeling insecure during the jam followed by the feeling of being violated afterward. Well… it is the blues, I guess.
👍 absolutely
I my self would rather sit through a tuning session than wonder what the guitarist would have sounded like if he had bothered to tune.
Instead of a sharpie to mark your pedals/amp get a chalk marker. Not only do the bright yellow or green ones shine in bar lighting, they rub off with a rag and leave no stains. I used to have one when I did the PA board at Gypsy Coffee House in Tulsa, and none of my gear ever had stains from my good old yellow chalk marker.
I HAVE ONLY REALLY JAMMED TWICE WITH A BAND, THAT I WAS NOT IN.
I DID STUDIO WORK FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS WHILE PLAYING WITH A BASS PLAYER AS A DUET. WE DID EVERY CLUB IN HOLLYWOOD AND ON SUNSET BLVD.
I REMEBR THIS ONE BAND, THEY NEEDED ME TO PLAY LIVE WHILE THEY RECOREDED. I HAD TO GET THE CHORDS AND HEAR THE SONG .
ONCE I GOT THAT, I PRACTICED IT AT NIGHT AND THEN THE DAY BEFOE THE SESSION.
I MADE A FEW FLUBS, BUT WE JUST TURN THE TAPE BACK AND DO IT AGAIN. WHEN I PLAYED LIVE, I WAS LUCKY THAT THEY DID SONGS I ALREADY KNEW.
WE HAVE A NIGHT CLUB WITH A DJ, BUT ON FRIDAY NIGHTS, IT IS OPEN MIC NIGHT. SO I HAVE DONE IT AND PLAYED BY MYSELF WITH MY EFFECTS PEDAL BOARD AND RECORDER. SO I HAD MY OWN BACK UP BAND ON MY RECODER.
IT WAS FUN AND I ONLY PLAYED ONE SONG I WROOTE. IT WAS USED FOR THE MOVIE, ABOUT HIDIE FLISE. THE SONG IS CALLED “STREET WALKER”. I PLAYED IT AND THE ADUNACE JAWS DROPPED, BEAUCE OF A FEW LYRICS IT HAD. AS ALWAYS GRIFF, I APPRECIATE YOUR LESSONS AND YOUR HUMOR AND YOU AS A GREAT GUY AND MUCICAN.
Well it’s never going to happen where I live. We have a once a week “open blues jam” here, and I have been going there a few times to listen. I noticed that it’s always the same people playing over and over and they are all recording pros.When I inquired about the playing skill level needed, I was told that you better be a great musician and well seasoned and that there’s absolutely no room for amateurs. So now I don’t even bother going anymore.
Start your own, we do once a months out of my garage, all levels welcome, it’s hard to start, but a lot
If fun……. the heck with those other guys
Quick note on capos. (Shout out to Steve D) When I put on the capo I generally press down on the strings somewhere near the sound hole on my acoustic before playing. This seems to help adjust the slightly stretched strings and bring them back in tune. Hope this is helpful….
WoW Griff,You hitted right on the spot,My first time playing was real bad,was playing ok or maybe alright then my solo was coming up,boy O’boy, by guitar started to mess up, the sound was coming in and out static,poping man o man what a night and to top it all no other guitar,so it ending up real bad with a boo, and my 2nd I fogot the tune’s and I froze up,Now that was really sad,anyway I’ve been practicing on some of your lesson’s,and I know of this place that let you play for an hour,just for asking,would six jam tracks be enough? So happy playing out there!
Does this mean you have to sit out and just observe at your first BGU Live jam?
I guess you would get to drink more beer this way!
The first time I went to a jam and signed up, the leader asked if I sang. So be ready for that question. Obviously, if you don’t sing (or don’t sing well – my voice is lacking) you’ll have to stick to well known blues standards or what the singer(s) know (which one learns from attending and listening). I was prepared to lead on an instrumental, “Honky Tonk” by Doggett which is the other alternative and fill in on other tunes. Since then I’ve expanded my repertoire. I can play along with most blues songs, but don’t usually know the lead lines. That’s why I’ve been expanding the songs I know.
As it turned out, my wife and I had to leave before my turn came around. So far I’ve just played at home or parties, but hope to get up on stage soon, work permitting since Fri/Sat are not jam nights where I live.
That was great…I am just a dummy when it comes to peddles and how to set them up…I have a combo amp with Reveb, distortion watt equalizer and mixer so I just set it and make it sound bluesy…Do not even know how to set up my blues driver…sang for a band once and set up and ran the stage show and efects for another but never played my guitar with a band before…so much to learn since my guitars are the only thing that I have left….I really do enjoy it and all the courses that I got…I never even knew how to read music until I got the guitar theory course…I just watch listen and duplicate the sounds…although now I know so much more I would like to know what all these different symbles in music is…I still am trying to get the counting down..I see griff starts with an p stroke and the swing feel is when you get into the grove…So much that I enjoy learning on guitar and how to get the sounds you want on it….That was just what I needed…Guitar Center has something like a get together gig but you have to have money for those kind of things…shoot I just got a pair of headphones after playing for a year and a half without ever hearing my guitar…AND I PLAY BY EAR ALOT AND COPY WHAT OTHERS DO AND SOUND LIKE…GO FIGURE….
I’m a bass player. Went to my 1st blues jam recently at The Alley in Sanford, FL. Nobody asked me what songs I know. I got to play a whole set. Had to fake it on a couple of songs, then learned them properly the next day.
Here are the guidelines that the Austin Blues Society has on there website:
We want everyone to have a great time at our jams, so for the enjoyment of all of our musicians and patrons, please observe the following guidelines:
This is a blues jam, so please keep within the 12-bar blues framework. This will keep all players on the same musical page for maximum performance communication.
All jammers must log their name, instrument (or vocal) and experience level on the sign-up sheet at the Austin Blues Society table.
We will do our best to keep to the order of sign-in, but this is not guaranteed. Please be patient when we group musicians together. We want everyone to have an equal opportunity to shine, not just stand in a crowd onstage.
Performers will be grouped together according to the most musical potential. We strive to combine less experienced players with professionals to provide both a learning experience as well as a musical one.
Please let the jam host or MC know if there are groups that need to be kept together to perform.
Vocalists become the “leader” of their jam band – know and communicate your keys and take charge of the songs. Signal solos and stops, as well as song endings.
Generally, each grouping will have 3 songs to perform and/or a 15 minutes time limit, so that we may ensure everyone’s participation over the course of the evening. This will keep the performances tight and keep the audience entertained with plenty of opportunity to showcase the participants’ blues chops.
Austin Blues Society jams are open to all ages and are family friendly, in order to encourage the next generation of blues musicians and fans – please refrain from profanity-laced lyrics and similar on-mic discussion.
When done playing, if you would like to perform again, sign back up on the sign-up sheet. If there is time later, we can get you back up on stage.
Make some great new musical friends and most importantly, have fun!!
Hey Griff,
Great refresher for 1st Jam. I see I already made a comment some time ago.
Last weekend a top Rock n Roll band I know quite well suggested next time I come to their Gig bring my Guitar and play one or two 12 bar blues songs that they know. Probably a Rolling Stones or Beatles 12 Bar blues. I said I was still in beginner status, that gets me out of trouble for the time being. The lead Guitarist whom I know has been playing guitar for 50 years Plus and said that it just takes practice of 2-3 songs that Rock n Roll bands know- no heavy blues so pick 2-3 songs in 12 bar blues that the band will know and play to their dancing audience. But he said you have to know your Rhythm Chords in the Key the singer can sing it in, and keep your solo short and sweet or know the song well enough.
Well my quick answer is that I will practice with BGIAB V 2 for quiet a while first.
All Cool.
Michael-Sydney-Australia- 20 April 2016.
read this a few times, great advice
just be yourself, if you get nervous in front of people focus on something behind the crowd the wall etc. look positive and will go well we all mess up called learning. have to
mess up a bunch to get it right. I saw Clapton in 87 play and miss a note and he acted like
it was the end of the world but he carried on and I think 3 people out of 10 thousand
noticed the error if that
good luck
Big thing for me is practice standing up and playing. Going to have to get that down.
Yep. Just started doing that. What a difference. Can’t see most of the notes and my whole body is sore.
Cheers Griff
For the advice but no jam nights happening around where I live but I got my
Gig in a box
Cheers Griff
still working on my gig in a box and jam-tracks no jam nights
Around for me
So can jam all night 😎🎶
Griff
the link for 5easy Blues solos
Shows up as error 404
Well! Today [Sunday 4-26] is the day I have my guitar revue in front of about a hundred strangers! I am playing the lead in Santo & Johnny’s ‘Sleepwalk’ from 1959. This is [was!] one of my favorites from way back when (I was 11 yrs old when it first came out).I have practiced it SO MUCH I am now SICK OF IT! I practiced it with a backing rhythm track until I dream about it. I am still nervous, have the ‘butterfly’s’ and all that. In truth, I love it!
I have several of the ‘Blues …” courses and also play regular in a Church Trio. IT is NOT the same! The people who come to hear us in my church group are FRIENDS … they know me … They have fun … They don’t really care if I or my other band mates screw up! A crowd of strangers is another matter … My only consolation is that todays revue is FREE … so NO MONEY BACK!
Bary,
Barry,
I’m certain you delivered a great performance and I want to thank you for bringing back a memory. Back in 1961 my little brother who was 12 at the time and I (17) performed in a talent show at our school. He played the lap steel guitar which was more commonly known in those days as the Hawaiian guitar, and I accompanied him on my Montgomery Ward mail-order duel pickup Airline. I can still hear the applause and how good it made me feel. Loved it then – love it now!!!
Old School & Still Rockin’
Old Schooler : enjoyed your comment as well as Barry’s . I remember those old Airlines from Monkey Wards. I had a single pickup model with a heat-crazed paint finish in ‘61; traded it and some borrowed $$ from my Dad to buy a Gibson SG when our garage band started making some cash. Played bars, clubs, frat & sorority parties for 6 years before USMC. “Sleep Walk” was played at least once a night”, generally in the last set, for the belt-buckle shiners. Great memories.
Greetings Griff, I am a singer songwriter and am learning quite a bit from your classes. I have purchased more now than I am able to digest this year, but my rational was to go from one lesson to another rather than burn on the onw. It is working for me so far.
I would like to comment on performance. I play every Sunday in a band and sometimes they let me do my own music and songs. Sometimes I get to go solo. I have guest appeared in several different venues from packed churches to 20-30 people in a hall.
I have to confess I am very nervous all the time. It helps that I set up all my own equip. and once I am into it I am ok.
Are there any routines, (not voodoo), that I can follow to get over this nervousness till I settle down.
I do most of the things you have suggested but still….
Be Blessed;
Harm…………:)
P.S. the commentary responses are very interesting reading as well……H…
Yes. Breathe and visualize yourself hanging out and playing with your friends in the garage or where ever you practice. This will help you relax and focus.
Thanks Griff a couple of other things came to mind if you are using pedals make sure you put in fresh batteries my first jam was scary because the battery in my delay pedal was weak also I make it a point to use fresh strings so intonation is spot on but like you said nobody even noticed the weak delay they noticed the solo did some EVH tapping and they loved it way back in 1980
been there done that. for over 40 years. I have my own blues songs i have wrote, produced arranged and recoreded. used a key board for all the instruments and midi into the computer. there on a demo cd disk in my Friends draw who is Paul Simons publisher and road manager. if i was to go on stage i would play my own songs. If i get the vibes they want some famous song then it will be “House of the Rising Sun” in a slow blues.
Now to sick to play any more. by the time 6pm comes, i’m to fatigued to do anyhthing.Thanks for the advice .
Griff,
Great advice. BUT!! ALWAYS FOLLOW THE FIRST TWO FROM ABOVE. I’ve jammed and those are both the best ideas to follow ANYWHERE
Griff:
Great advice. My first time was with my guitar teacher at the time, Mark Wydra from Chicago, at the Hansen Brothers Tavern in Northbrook, Illinois. They held open mic nights on Tuesday evenings. Mark introduced me as a FNG, I was all tuned to open D to play Elmore James “Dust My Broom”, and had the honor to kick it off with that distinctive slide riff. Well, it started great, got into it, the room went nuts because most guys don’t use the open D tuning for that song. Then I dropped my pick on the quick change…the most helpless feeling I could have, as I could see it on the floor but the stage was jammed with folks. Mark carried me on until I could get the pick and back in to the song. After we were done (we also did “Little Queenie” and “It Hurts Me Too”) I went to the bar and a fellow sitting there smiled at me and said, “I saw you drop your pick”. He kindly recommended that I keep an extra on the amp behind me, and stick one in the strings on the guitar head. I never forgot his kindness, nor the thrill of that first time. I think it’s the most fun you can have while clothed.
Griff, Great post…Thank you. Just started the guitar journey 6 months ago and hope to SOMEDAY have the ability and opportunity to give-it-a-go. Thanks to all those who put on the “open mic nights”, we love the open-mic night at the Blue star Cafe in Vero Beach Fl.
Griff
Thanks for the good advice and the many important lessons!
Griff could you please give us a lesson on Capos? What happens when you clip on a capo? How does it change the key? Whap happens to the chords?
Thanks, Mike
Yes I have a problem with using a capo as, no matter how loose/tight I make it on the fret-board, the strings go out of tune and I either have to retune or play the song partly out of tune (if I’m in an open-mic session and there’s little time for retuning). Is there anything I can do about this?
Thanks
Steve
Steve, I had the same issue and was recently told not to use the Kyser style capo as they are good for acoustic’s but not for electric. He suggested the Shubb brand as it is adjustable tension and you don’t need a lot of it for capo’ing. Sure enough, I no longer have the tune problems as before. Hope it works for you if you decide to try it.
MIKE IRIS: look at it this way. open string.from the bottom you have E,E#, F ect. second fret with a capo just changes the open key of the Guitar which is E. chords still have the same shape but if your at the 2nd fret thats G. as far as the chord names i would say a f chord with a capo on the key of g will still be the same. am i right Griff? hope that helped bro.
Paul:
If you capo at 2, playing an E major shape will give you G. If you capo at 5, playing E major shape is A. By the way, FYI, there is no E# – E# is F and F flat is E. Similarly, there is no B# – it’s C and no C flat – it’s B. E/F and B/C are separated only by a half step.
My bad again. I must be projecting the 2nd fret. If you place the capo at 3rd fret (G based on 6th string) and play an E major shape that gives you G. Think of the capo as your finger doing a barre chord for 6th string based chords wherever you place the capo. But using the example at 3, you’re a step and a half up so to translate you must play a shape that is a step and a half down from the chord you want. If you want F you need to play a D major shape. A major is really C major, which you can see if you think about a barre chord C major it involves your barre finger at 3 playing an A 2 frets higher. I hope I’m not confusing people and Griff please tell me to go away if I am.
How about the key of C#? Seven sharps. C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#. But true, E# and B# are F and C. They are ‘enharmonically the same’. But in the key of C# they are named as above.
Mike:
A capo in essence allows one to move away from barre chords and change to open chords. An example I like is “Let It Bleed” by the Stones. I believe it’s in the key of C. But the way Keith plays it, dropping a notes for the Csus4 and Fsus4, in each chord, it’s easier to capo at the 2nd fret, using the A shape as C, D shape as F, and E shape as G. For the E7th, use a C7 shape at the 5th fret.
Look at “Hotel California” for a similar approach. It starts on B minor then to F#7, but it’s hard to arpeggiate those as barre chords. Eagles capoed at the 2nd (or 7th for the 12-string) then used A minor shape for the B minor, E7 shape for the F#7, G for the A, D for the E, C for the D, F for the G then back around. This allows arpeggios on all open chords, giving that distinctive sound.
If you just think you will figure it out – write down the chords in the song in one column, then take your guitar, put the capo where it fits your vocal range, or where the guitar sounds like the song, then translate the new shapes. It’s a great way to learn the neck too.
My bad Mike. “Let It Bleed” is capoed at 3, not 2. Sorry for the confusion.
…
One thing I would add to #1. Introduce yourself to the jam leader when you go to observe, and also mingle with the other musicians while you are there. When you return, you’ll know some people and that will help put you at ease. They will also be rooting for you.
I remember the first time on stage at an open mic night 40 some odd years ago. A memory that will never be forgotten.
The house band knew it was my first time and we did Before You Accuse me.
My fingers were sweating so much they basically slipped off the E chord.
Then all of a sudden my lead was here and after all the worries it turned into the coolest time I ever had. First live performance is a memory that will stay with you forever.
Your advice here is wonderful!
Doug
That’s real good advise. Thank you. Now, I’m NOWHERE near being ready but I have a goal to be within a year. BGU has been an excellent tutorial. There used to be a spot called Warmdaddy’s. It closed down n moved somewhere years ago but I have to find out where. I never heard anything about it since. I used to fo there and watch freinds of mine jam the blues, and many other bands on “open mike nite”. Ain’t no sunshine was played by everyone. Good times, good memeories. Playing the Blues at Warmdaddy’s would be the threshold I’m looking to cross. Perpetual beginner to intermediate! Thanks again for all you do Griff.
Pete,
Aside from Warmdaddy’s, there’s Twisted Tail over in Headhouse at 2nd and South St. They have open mic every Sunday. I have yet to get there to check it out but that’s a place you could shoot for when ready. I’ve been there many times to hear bands, just not open mic night…they book a lot of very good blues bands. If you’re interested in a local jam buddy, let me know. I’m sure we’d both benefit from that.
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Despite our jam leader’s encouragment and willingness to allow me to play with him, I too have lacked the nerve to get up at a jam, even though I think I can do OK. Our jam here at Blues Society of Central Pa is seven or eight sets of five to seven different players each set. My question is this: is it better to know just a few songs or to know a wide variety of rhythm progressions, mixing octaves, chord shapes and fills.
l like to just listen to Griff play on the solos , l learn more from listening , than watching many times. Some day though l would like Griff to do an explanation of the theory ,and what to do with songs with pitch shifts , or different tonal centers such as Hotel California . l do not mean just copying the Eagles licks , but being able to freely improvise to songs like that as if it say had been composed ,and recorded by a different band . Because those type of songs offer harder challenges than just 3 chord 1 4 5 progressions . How about it Griff , you can do it come on teacher buddy?
I often feel that playing with others is the missing ingredient for me, wondering where I would start. Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep you apprised.
Thought I might be ready for a jam until I started your thing on mixing minor/major blues scales and riffs without any hesitation (Slow Blues Supplement) and realized I have some more work to do. You are right – there are no short cuts to being proficient! Thanks Killer. T
Hi Griff,
Great advice, I will use it when the time comes as still practicing as only new with solo guitar. But I do have past Stage experience from the past as a Drummer of many bands and also we hosted back then some Jam nights for newby’s.
I am learning the 5 easy Blues Solos and when perfecto, will search and revert from that experience… probably sometime next year.
Thanks Griff for the fantastic lessons & tips.
Michael-Sydney Australia
Brings back memories of playing “You Keep Me Hanging On” by Vanilla Fudge.
There were nights people would request that song four and five times a night.
Got the lesson Blues Guitar Unleashed and the Beginning Blues Guitar and know you are great!
Also make sure you are Tuned up BEFORE you play…it’s really annoying to sit through an awkward pause while the Guitar Player makes the same lame jokes about tuning while tuning…
I CAN GET UP ON STAGE AND FIT RIGHT IN. I HAVE PLAYED LIVE SINCE I WAS 16 YEARS OLD. NOW I’M 62 AND DID NOT PLAY GUITAR FOR 6 YEARS. IT’S NOT LIKE RIDING A BIKE. LAST VENUE I DID WAS FOR CAL STATE DOMENGUEZ HILL UNITY FEST. HAD A HARD TIME THE FIRST 2 SONGS TO FACE THE CROWD. THEN OUR FEMALE LEAD VOLCOLIST AND I HAD OUR DUET. IT ALL CAME BACK AND WE GOT A STANDING OVATION. THE FIRST THING ANYONE WITH A BRAINS MAKE’S SURE HIS GUITAR IS IN TUNE. FOR THE GUY WHO SAID THAT. THANKS GRIFF.
Play nice now kids, you might have 50 years experience and everything seems obvious but this little segment was done for someone who may be so intimidated that they might actually not remember that the room conditions might have altered their guitar while waiting their turn. Tune em up!*% Thanks Griff, I have checked out many so call web instructors and you have a great feel for teaching. T
That was great. Love the extra ideas in the musical realm. Was thinking along these lines, as I noticed more ads and listings for open-mike and jams. Thanks for all you do. Tim 821
Griff,I do not feel confident enough to play out yet. There are a few places close by,that have open mike night,so hopefully soon I will try it. This lesson helps a ton,and I will be put it to good use. Thanks, Mike
Just going to open mic nights as a fng without playing is a learning experience! I’m not ready to join in yet, but watching the flow and interaction is very helpful! I have a drummer buddy and have invited him and his band mates over to practice around pool( provided free food). They allow me to play a little ! This helps a lot!
Hey Griff,
been working on your Blues Gig in a box which is awesome and just what the doctor ordered. I am planning to go to some open mike nights here in Cebu, Philippines. Thanks for the advice.
I’ll keep you posted on events.
Cheers,
Mich
I just did my first two jams and everything mentioned is spot on. I’ve got 3 of the 5 Easy Blues Solos down and plan to use them.
Hey there Griff .I have been out there in many diffrent places bars get togethers and such .Got alot of experience playing out. I always bring my amp and of course my fav my didgetech rp 7 . its basiclly a fancy tuner with a bit of boost . It also has some other features as well . expression pedal built in so its just one unit easy to pack and carry . I have tried other muscicians amps already set up ,but problem not all guitars are the same ya know . just had a feed back that almost blew the thing up . embarrasing to say the least ,but, since then I use whats familiar it just works better for me . Going to check the solos you have provided c ya
I go to a jam night where the leader cranks himself and the backing tracks up, and complains if anyone else is to loud . He is in charge of the desk so no chance of sneaking a bit more juice. I took my guitar once but couldn’t here what I was playing, so it went back home after that. Now if someone lends me a guitar for a go i turn the volume down and sneak it up after they start. All the guitarists moan but don’t say much in case boss man takes his toys home.
Hey Griff. Started my playing in Liverpool 45 years ago. Perhaps if you’d been around then with this advice I might have started my session work a heck of a lot sooner and had a few less rotten tomatoes thrown.
This is really good advice. Rock on and when I decide to go on I will use it. Thanks
Grab the mike here in Tulsa is getting a 10 minute spot for original songs, so it forces you to write.
Papa J