General Music Chat

I love to jam...with anyone. On nights that I'm not playing I will go looking for a jam session, open mic, whatever.

Just did 6 concerts in 8 days from Dallas to Wichita, to OKC, to St Louis, to Meridian MS, to Birmingham, to Knoxville. It was a very successful tour and I'm off until the 27th now.

And now I have started something in my local area to make sure I get home for a few days every month. It's called "cultural exchange fellowship" and we hope to give a platform to Christians who are songwriters on the last Thursday of every month in 2014. We will petition the city (Waxahachie TX) to let us start a 2 day music festival complete with a tent city in the park, starting next summer.

I'm going to put an offering bucket by the stage and remind everyone about it between bands/acts. It will probably cost me to do this, but if we can attract good players it could also turn into a scene that makes noise.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Just like open mics.

Another thing for me is that I don't like open mic/jams. I hosted one for a while and I couldn't really stand it after a while. I never got gigs off the ones I attended. They generally have mediocre musicians at most who play the same songs over and over again. I just get bored at them and think I'd rather be home rehearsing more challenging material.

Then either 1) you didn't have the reach to find other/better musicians or 2) your area didn't have enough of them.
It really is area-dependent. Talking to the young lady I played with on Saturday, she told me that several of the OMs she has gone to in the greater Boston area get so many attendees that many may not get to play if they sign up late. One that I have attended fairly regularly, though, like you said, attracts the same guys time and time again - that's why I look for other places to play, too. However, a few of the guys at that particular OM have got paying gigs at that same place!
Improving your skills at home is great but doesn't get you anything if you can't get out and play with others/in front of people.

LOL, BOB do you ever like anything?

just curious but most of your post are negative

the local open mic I like to go to was last night, I worked late and didnt go, but I saw the picturs on FB and this one is a whos who of working musicians in the area. I would say that for the most part, you have to be a pretty good player to even get up with this group.

lol No need to hack on Bob..

As for open mics, we have the convex down here..

It's like amateur night, every little chickie wanting to her latest karaoke tune du jour.

And god help you if you break out something heavy...you get greeted with stares, silence and the sound of heads being scratched.

Then come the onslaught of people wanting to know if you can play any "NEW COUNTRY". (get bent)

I hate 'new' country. (I love the old stuff though)

Best gig I ever played in my life was free. Yep. We asked for 5k - all the money was gone. Yet we played an outdoor concert with several people and then led the post concert jams. It was one of the finest days of my life. I had a pretty girl, I played guitar and bass both - and I didn't drink the er, 'coolaid' that was being passed around. (which was why I played with my clothes on and the drummer didn't!)

Talbot

I Hosted an open jam every Sat for over eight years. It was great. So good that I only missed several weekends, but only because I was on the road on those occasions. Nothing wrong with jams when you like to play. Even pickers that weren't considered that accomplished would come up with some good chops now and then. There isn't anyone that can't teach you something. Jams are a good place to learn more than you think you know.

LOL, BOB do you ever like anything?

just curious but most of your post are negative

the local open mic I like to go to was last night, I worked late and didnt go, but I saw the picturs on FB and this one is a whos who of working musicians in the area. I would say that for the most part, you have to be a pretty good player to even get up with this group.

I like:
1) Playing with outstanding musicians who challenge me, whether it's rehearsing or at PAID gigs
2) Planned studio work
3 Learning new tunes, originals or covers
4) Real big boobs (wait a minute, that's Crip's specialty)
I don't like:
1) Hearing the same tunes I've heard a gazillian times played by beginners
2) Being taken advantage of by greedy bar owners

Real big boobs, or big real boobs ?

Just thought you should clarify . . .

the mass influx of bands (and mostly mediocre at best) in the 90's created the problem in part, but mainly it's been these mediocre bands playing for free or close to it, for the "bottom line" club owners that have replaced the music lover owners, that have destroyed the live music trade for everybody.
You paint it any way you want, but you veterans know this to be fact!

I think the biggest problem getting fans to shows today (compared to yesteryear) is the fear of getting a DWI coupled with so many entertainment choices (speaking of big real big) from your living room.

Be honest now....how many of you go out to see a live band these days, and how often if you do?

I believe nothing is free, you get something for everything you do good or bad ie karma. I'm not interested in playing for free, and the open mic nights usually have some better quality musicians at them then craigslist.
Yet I rarely attend.

FBob I didn't hear you say how long you practice your bass, practice makes perfect. There is nothing wrong with trying to improve your skills, set musical goals and attain them. Surely you can find somebody in KC to play with, maybe your not up to there level?

Bingo! SlackerZ I hrarely play with anybody I don't learn from, no matter what there skill level. I'm self taught, and I've sure learned a bunch of it from watching other players.

When it comes down to it I say don't play for no money, money talks and bullshiyt walks. I pay when I play at Mooneyhams Barn, but man do I take a lesson there.

It has been so frustrating for me trying to find a music partner(s) to play with that are at my level that many times I have almost given up. Sit at home, learn new songs, write and record new ones, piece of cake, no pressure. But I enjoy playing in front of others, and enjoy playing with others who have some degree of ability.
If nothing comes together for me by my next birthday (58 on May 1), I may give up on active seeking and just keep doing the (free) open mics - no pressure at these gigs, do a few songs, listen to some others, have a few beers, go home only having to schlep a guitar case.

I may not have been the best player at Thursday night's OM, but I was the only one to get the place singing along! Started out with Van Morrison's Celtic New Year (little known but good holiday tune), then an original then did Lennon's Happy Christmas. Passed out lyric sheets for Happy before hand.

On the other hand ....
The guy I'm 'auditioning' next Wednesday now tells me that he just started a new 2nd shift job, so would only be available to play out on Saturday nights. (what about rehearsals, dude?) IF I didn't know the guy's fiance (worked with her 15 years ago), I would just cancel the audition.
And the songwriting workshop that was going to kick off tomorrow night has been postponed due to the approaching storm (saying we'll probably get 12"+ starting tonight).

I have been playing in bands since high school (1977). I have ALWAYS been able to get the band paying gigs. Not one band I have ever been in that was ready to play out had to play for free. It is not rocket science. You get a group of musicians together that get along and want to play professionally you make a song list learn the songs (at home on your own) show up for a few rehearsals work hard and your ready to gig. Having said all that gig availability in your local may vary. At that point you do what you have to and get some PAYING GIGS!
As I get older I am running across the guys that kept their priorities in order. By that I mean gave up music got their careers underway and achieved success. Now they want to be rock stars. I did them both at the same time. Still I say do what makes YOU happy but please understand that other folks may see things differently.

You're good enough to make mediocre musicians in a band sound good. In my past experience a good picker raises the bar for everyone.

Or drinks up the bar for everyone.

Any star player helps, but I think a star drummer raises the bar the easiest.

IMO, if youre over 30, don't play for free.