Interesting open mic session

[Tenor Viol]

Interesting experience this evening. A friend of mine who is a sound engineer had organised for some local bands to play at an open mic session in one of the local pubs.

Inevitably, the majority of the music played is not really stuff I like.Some of the players / singers were quite decent. Some weren't. One female vocalist was a right diva with a very high opinion of herself. Good job she didn't talk to me otherwise I would have been quite blunt about her complete lack of any talent or ability whatsoever... people like that annoy me as they get singing a bad name. One make vocalist/guitarist thought he was Bob Dylan - he needs to learn that singing too high and sliding between vowels with no consonants is incomprehensible. A later sing by contrast was very good - in part because he stayed within the limits of his voice (baritone) and his diction was reasonable.

One alto sax player cum vocalist was interesting. Part of a gigging trio - I was dumbfounded by the extremely basic level of playing - not much with the octave key down, let alone anything really high,and very simple rhythms.

If these guys can get paid gigs with that level of playing, then I really should have a go - I'm definitely no worse! They did have a good guitarist and drummer it must be said.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I'm the bloke who walked out on a Courtney Pine gig. I don't think most people hear like some people.

At the NO sit in tonight I got the full low down on clarinet and mouthpiece for 10 mins from a guy, only for him to walk on stage and play out of tune. The odd thing was he sang quite well and in tune.

Sometimes it sounds great in the bedroom. Playing to an audience and adding nerves less so.

I don't think you get many seasoned pro's at open mic nights.

 

[altissimo]

people actually get paid for doing open mic nights?

 

[trimmy]

One female vocalist was a right diva with a very high opinion of herself.

Next time you see her give her a snicker 😉

 

[Tenor Viol]

Some were local(ish) bands performing as a favour, others were not.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Colin - I think you're right. It's the only conclusion I can come to too. I think so few people are used to hearing live musicians that they have very poor ability to discriminate between the good and the bad.

I've been to a number of events in local pubs this last year. There are one or two exceptions who are really good, but most of the singers can't - they are mostly out of tune and (usually) flat. OK, I'm an experienced singer and I wouldn't like to sing solo in front of a crowd, so it's hats off for doing that, but I do think a reality check is needed about tuning and capability.

 

[Targa]

A lot of bands think if they play loud they must be good.
I hate music when it's forced on you like when I went to a vintage car rally and they had to have loud, crap 'musicians' supposedly entertaining the crowd. The organisers couldn't understand the concept of ambient noise.
We left earlier then intended because there was no pleasure in looking at cars and it was almost impossible to talk to the owners with that row going on.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Good job she didn't talk to me otherwise I would have been quite blunt about her complete lack of any talent or ability whatsoever...

I would never chritisize someones playing or singing ability, its just wrong, how would you feel if someone came up to you at the end of your gig and told you you had no talent or ability whatsoever? Only the other night i watched a local pub rock band try and play some Reggae they really had no idea but bless em they gave it a go and thats what matters.

One make vocalist/guitarist thought he was Bob Dylan.

Good for him, if he enjoys being Bob Dylan when he's out giging why on earth shouldent he?

I was dumbfounded by the extremely basic level of playing.

OMG music snobbery at it's very best!

If these guys can get paid gigs with that level of playing, then I really should have a go.

Yes...maybe you should..

 

[kevgermany]

Two extremes here. When listening I try to balance skill with feel for the music. I can enjoy a technically poor perforomance if the music is there. What's bad for me are lack of skill and lack of musicality.

And, there are a lot of people getting gigs who fit this category. I guess the popularity of karaoke shows the level of many people's musical taste and helps show why.

 

[Clivey]

Woo . have to agree with Fraser . You have to start out at some level, and it`s usually the one that will have you LOL . The mild intoxication of both performers and audience usually has the effect of seemingly improving the musical issue LOL.

When & where I was growing up, playing music and being in bands, music group etc ( Sali Army excluded ) was very elitist mainly as the Instruments ( not just saxes) were in short supply and expensive to purchase. Lot`s of middle class kids, got a head start . I think the ready availability of affordable musical Instruments and equipment Is a great thing on the whole. Tuition on the other hand is still something that can remain outwith the budget of many aspiring players. The question of whether the ubiquitous nature of "Dads-Mums Rock" and cheap / free music has removed value is uncertain but for sure a lot of the elitism resulting from parental affluence has been reduced.

Incidentally. I totally approve of the other type of elitism . The other type , that screens " Gifted " kids , "yep I believe it is one" for special education is probably 100% essential to the cultivation of high quality musicianship although as usual some folks opinions will differ.

 

[dooce]

I would never chritisize someones playing or singing ability, its just wrong, how would you feel if someone came up to you at the end of your gig and told you you had no talent or ability whatsoever? Only the other night i watched a local pub rock band try and play some Reggae they really had no idea but bless em they gave it a go and thats what matters.

Good for him, if he enjoys being Bob Dylan when he's out giging why on earth shouldent he?

OMG music snobbery at it's very best!

Yes...maybe you should..

I've only done a couple of open mic nights and no one was being paid at either of them. Both featured a range of talent from enthusiastic beginner to well travelled veterans, but both were noteable for the enthusiasm, positive comment and support for all the performers. We all have to start somewhere and even though the cynical might think that open mic nights are an exploitation of musicians by not paying the going rate, round here they are incredibly popular, mainly because they are a great way of meeting other musos and hearing new talent.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Next time you see her give her a snicker 😉

No she might have a nut allergy

 

[Tenor Viol]

Let me be clear.

On an 'open mic' night I have no problem with anyone of any ability level having a go, and I would not criticise them for doing so. It's a big ask to stand in front of people and perform and it's a good way for people 'get out there'.

I first performed in public just over 20 years ago and yes, it was scary. I've not soloed on sax yet and I have no doubt it will be terrifying.

However, if people are paying to hear you perform, it's a different matter and I expect a certain level of capability: I would be horrified to have people pay £10 for a ticket for a concert I was performing in and we didn't do our best to do a decent job. I accept that there are levels of expectation depending on the nature of the group: people expect less of the community orchestra that I play in than the light music orchestra for example.

My criticism of the female vocalist is that she does get paid for gigs (OK not last night). Her singing was very poor - end of story. Others who have heard her elsewhere confirmed that is what she's like and they said (but it was obvious) that she had a very large ego, behaved like a diva, and has a very high opinion of her ability. I don't understand having heard her why anyone would give her a gig.

The alto sax player may have had a few sherbets. Again, this was a group that performs widely as I understand it. Maybe he was having a bad night. If it was a first-timer at an open mic I wouldn't have said anything, but he's not and that was the point I was making.

My other observation was that an awful lot of band singers are not in tune and I don't understand why - maybe it's a lack of understanding, e.g. piece might be played in a key other than the one they 'know' and ends up somewhere in between. Or maybe it's a lack of critical listening skills.

On the other side, several guitarists and drummers last night were very good and so where two of the other vocalists.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Update: the sound engineer from last night had a coffee with him this afternoon. Seems that the female vocalist was utterly plastered...

 

[thomsax]

Let me be clear.

On an 'open mic' night I have no problem with anyone of any ability level having a go, and I would not criticise them for doing so. It's a big ask to stand in front of people and perform and it's a good way for people 'get out there'.

I first performed in public just over 20 years ago and yes, it was scary. I've not soloed on sax yet and I have no doubt it will be terrifying.

However, if people are paying to hear you perform, it's a different matter and I expect a certain level of capability: I would be horrified to have people pay £10 for a ticket for a concert I was performing in and we didn't do our best to do a decent job. I accept that there are levels of expectation depending on the nature of the group: people expect less of the community orchestra that I play in than the light music orchestra for example.

My criticism of the female vocalist is that she does get paid for gigs (OK not last night). Her singing was very poor - end of story. Others who have heard her elsewhere confirmed that is what she's like and they said (but it was obvious) that she had a very large ego, behaved like a diva, and has a very high opinion of her ability. I don't understand having heard her why anyone would give her a gig.

The alto sax player may have had a few sherbets. Again, this was a group that performs widely as I understand it. Maybe he was having a bad night. If it was a first-timer at an open mic I wouldn't have said anything, but he's not and that was the point I was making.

My other observation was that an awful lot of band singers are not in tune and I don't understand why - maybe it's a lack of understanding, e.g. piece might be played in a key other than the one they 'know' and ends up somewhere in between. Or maybe it's a lack of critical listening skills.

On the other side, several guitarists and drummers last night were very good and so where two of the other vocalists.

I think a person that can pay a poor singer is a bigger problem than the singer.

 

[Merryfisher]

anyone who stands up and 'does it' it gets the thumbs up from me. i certainly can't live in my glass house and throw stones!

 

[Colin the Bear]

People like what people like. The unsuccessfuls for these talent shows on telly seem to be popular. Perhaps it's the same thing. There was a dance act round here that had a massive following. They were hilarious but didn't know. They disbanded when they found out their fans..... weren't. Same went for karaoke competition. Local guy winning competitions had massive self belief and no ear. It was a sight to behold.

Open mic nights are what they are, amateur night. What else are you going to do to fill the pub on a midweek wet winters night in a recession. It's not fair if proper , sober musicians turn up though.

The wedding reception I did this afternoon is an example. I was the Brides choice. A bit of 40's swing. The Karaoke singer with the massive baritone voice slightly off key was the Groom's choice. We both went down well. Nobody died. lol

 

[Targa]

anyone who stands up and 'does it' it gets the thumbs up from me.

Especially in a hammock.

 

[Targa]

The wedding reception I did this afternoon is an example. I was the Brides choice. A bit of 40's swing. The Karaoke singer with the massive baritone voice slightly off key was the Groom's choice. We both went down well. Nobody died. lol

The entertainment at weddings has changed a lot since I last went to one.

 

[Ivan]

Especially in a hammock.

That laugh is my first Christmas present of 2014

Thank you Targa-the-Ottter