retrosurfer1959 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Weird night we had a gig at a small bar with a small private party probably 80 people max probably 60 for much of the night. We were doing a really mixed bag including quite a bit of reggae song's. It was a great mellow crowd and we were having a blast. As is often the case when Reggae is played I had the mic it's one of the few genre where a wrecked voice is a benefit. People thing the heavy rasp is intentional not the result of years of abuse. Anyway they were a fun crowd and we had about five young ladies and two young men down in front that were in their mid twenties and were definitely reggae fans singing every word and clapping and snapping their fingers in perfect time even. So it was fun until I did a cover of Stephen Marley's "Now I Know" then it collapsed on me. In three places the term "Now I know" is repeated 12 then 13 then 12 times. And they were counting and singing along hell I don't count. I just repeat until the timing is clean and I move on and they caught me twice. No big deal right? yeah except the whole last chorus is whistled and try to whistle sometime when your trying not to laugh with a group goofing with you. **** I had to turn around with my mic to finish the whistling part. And that happened on a few song's Oh well the joys of playing live I guess. It wasn't a big deal hell it was fun but it's weird when something minor derails something youve done more times then you would like to admit. Anybody else have nights where the singing along wasn't fun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Anybody else have nights where the singing along wasn't fun? I was raised by bikers (Bandito's) in Az and started playing bars at age 12. Yes...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Anybody else have nights where the singing along wasn't fun? yep Just this past Saturday night. I'm in a duo with another guitarist, acoustics and a piano. Hard to make sure you're singing the right harmonies when 25 people are screaming out the words to a chorus. One comes to mind was Wish You Were Here, "Am I even singing the right notes. No clue" The other problem we had is the people whopping it up, were louder than we were while we were trying to play. Everyone had a good time tho, and they really liked the music (1st time in this room) so it was a good gig all the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Too bad there isn't a way to smile and look at the audience and completely block them out. :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojo68 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I LOVE it, they'll never be able to scream over my amp enough to distract me ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 It was always when they hurled objects that bothered me! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 That's part of the fun. We would often let people from the crowd and sing a song with us, 9 times out of 10 it was some Lynyrd Skynyrd. It's a blast and the crowd loves it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Too bad there isn't a way to smile and look at the audience and completely block them out. :unsure: 3 words: Noise Cancelling Headphones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I guess that so far, at least, I've loved having the audience participation even if it screwed up the rehearsed version of various pieces. I figured if the crowd loves it, I'm doin' something right (<grin> for a change). It's back kinda to figuring you're not "just" a musician, you're an entertainer in those saloon/coffeehouse gigs. Maybe it's because in my youth I really enjoyed the piano bars that had a good player who knew that he/she was there to keep the crowd there, enjoyin' the interplay - and I learned in retrospect, buying booze. I can see how in some situations it may not be nearly so much fun. I can't forget the "all-original" band of young guys in a saloon where a cupla drunk ladies kept hollering, "Play Puroud Maaaaary." And yeah... I remember a gig or two with chicken wire around the band too... <grin> And a cupla times when it was almost a physical battle when a drunk wanted to play my guitar. That's when I learned bayonet tactics can work with guitar if needed - although not with a Gibson-style peghead. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Audience participation is always a plus as you know they are having a good time and that is pretty much the whole purpose. But on more than one occasion I have had crowds clapping in the wrong tempo. The drummer I played with for about 20 years was very steady, and very loud and he would not hear or pay attention to the crowds clapping and it would get pretty hard to keep going in rhythm with him playing one tempo and the crowd another. Just muddle through and on to the next tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 It's rock n' roll, right? It's part of the fun! But for different styles, it's not appropriate. But I hate it when someone films a show and the guy next to him is yapping all of the lyrics and you can't hear the music as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Happens All the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0CdXaOS5_o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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