Open mic tonight

[markthechuck]

Yo Yo!!
I'm going to a open mic tonight, my first time playing drums in front of a crowd, were (my band) only doing a couple of songs but well looking forward to it, any tips??

Cheers Mark

[pastor_bob]

The big thing is to just relax and have fun. Whenever I've playing in front of the church, relaxing and having fun is the hardest thing to do (as the pastor, I feel a certain amount of pressure to do well), but as I have learned how relax, playing has become soooo much better.

[LagerHead]

Play it like you rehearsed. Stay away from improvisation your first time playing in front of a crowd. Otherwise, just you do that voodoo you do so well.

[bassist learning drums]

Have Fun!!!!!

[gonefishin]

Theres been a couple 1 st time threads like this in the past looking for tips . Here is my typical reply.........."dont fall off your throne "


Now dont be too quick to laugh because there are some well-seasoned drummers who have had this happen .

( Dont worry LW , I made sure I kept your name out of this thread .)

[lil_mawl]

Theres been a couple 1 st time threads like this in the past looking for tips . Here is my typical reply.........."dont fall off your throne "


Now dont be too quick to laugh because there are some well-seasoned drummers who have had this happen .

( Dont worry LW , I made sure I kept your name out of this thread .)

one of the legs of my throne was too close to edge of the rise my drums were set up on.... i fell back behind the stage between songs lol

just have fun and rock it like u rehearsed!

[AndyC]

Relax, enjoy it.

Stay off booze and drugs. If you feel the need to use anything to relax before this gig, and you give in to it, you will need it at every gig. And sooner or later, you will need more and more to get the same relaxing effect.

Goodness knows, I've seen way too many good musicians destroyed by something that started as, "Something to help me relax," or "A bit of Dutch Courage." I have nothing against drink, but drink after the gig, if you're not driving of course, because you want to, not before it because you need to.

But most important, relax and enjoy it.

Andy

[bruarm]

When in doubt, keep it simple.

[kaosotis]

Keep it simple is absolutely the best advice. Also keep in mind that most people in the audience don't know what you are "supposed" to play, so play through any mistakes.

[funkyruss]

Keep it simple is absolutely the best advice. Also keep in mind that most people in the audience don't know what you are "supposed" to play, so play through any mistakes.

These are wise words! I feel sometimes the only reason we practice is to learn how to recover from our mistakes!! No glaring at each other on stage when you guys goof up! Just plough on through! Relaxation is key!! Have fun!

[kaosotis]

These are wise words! I feel sometimes the only reason we practice is to learn how to recover from our mistakes!! No glaring at each other on stage when you guys goof up! Just plough on through! Relaxation is key!! Have fun!

The sign of a new/younger band! It took us a while when we were kids to not glare at each other. The worst was when one of the guitarists would actually turn around to look at me if I messed up! Fortunately, after 20+ years together we're almost over that.

[Rob on Drums]

Remember this: It's not a mistake if you play it twice"

[kaosotis]

Another thing I do is not worry about playing the some the "same way" as I did before. I don't actually try to play most covers exactly, which makes it less worrisome.

[Redeye]

Don't worry if you start to get nervous right before playing. It will go away as soon as you hit the first downbeat.

[UhOh]

Remember this: It's not a mistake if you play it twice"

That is so true.


Also, if you're not using your own kit, whatever you do, don't try and tune someone else's drums. That will get you reprimanded and/or kicked out. Yes, I'm speaking from experience. The guys snare sounded like a piece of cardboard, and I thought he wasn't looking...

Bring your own sticks, and maybe as a precaution, bring your cymbals too. Some guys are stingy like that.

[Northern Redneck]

DONT STOP!!!!
No matter how bad the mistake is, play through it.

[funkymcstain]

The sign of a new/younger band! It took us a while when we were kids to not glare at each other. The worst was when one of the guitarists would actually turn around to look at me if I messed up! Fortunately, after 20+ years together we're almost over that.

my guitar/singer player glares at me when HE screws up, as to make it look like my fault.

as far as first time gig...breath. not breathing will lead to speeding up. just relax and have fun. dont worry if the house kit is terrible. everyone else is gonna sound bad too.

[ratmycue]

Count the band in and then dont hit anything!! they will look like goofs.

[The Chazbo]

We've kinda learnt in my band, that we all make mistakes and there's no point blaming people for them. Besides, we all know we make mistakes every now and then, so we don't glare at each other when someone else does it. =]

[Bish]

Count the band in and then dont hit anything!! they will look like goofs.

OH you are a meanie....I really like it.

[backtodrum]

As others have said keep it simple and don't play over your head!

[pastor_bob]

Don't worry if you start to get nervous right before playing. It will go away as soon as you hit the first downbeat.

Wise words Shane. I don't gig, so I can only relate it to playing baseball. I played ball all my life going from hardball to softball as I got older. I played the outfield, and although I was not professional caliber, I was very confident in my abilities as an amatuer. But I never really ran onto the field without feeling butterflies in my stomach, until after I had made my first play - whatever it was.

The point is that consistent practice makes us ready, but as Shane said, the first downbeat is where the butterflies will end.

[markthechuck]

well the open Mic went wicked, i was a little nervous when i went on but as most of you say as soon as we started it all went away, a fella from my work runs it and said we were loads better than he thought we were going to be, and said we had a good solid sound, the singer didn't turn up (maybe time to replace) so we had various singers, it was such a laugh and everyone clapped and cheered when we finished and came and spoke to us, we got loads of advice from the regulars. Can not wait to go up again.
Cheers Everyone.
Mark

[lil_mawl]

sounds like everything went pretty smooth! sweet

[gonefishin]

Mark , glad to hear it went well........next time it will be even easier .