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From: sk~te.com (Rod Thomas/Sandra Teare)
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 08:57:23 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Clueless at the mic

Steve writes,

>I'm continually baffled by people who go out of their way to play on stage or
>in front of people, when they have NO clue how to. What is so fun about
>being clueless on an instrument and playing in front of people? Can't they
>tell they're ruinning the song? Ya kinda figure they'd be embarrassed!

Dream on Steve, (and I'll be dreaming with you) but we better not hold
our breath.

As my musical partner and I were preparing for our first performances,
we played at a couple of open mics. We figured it would be a lot of fun,
we'd get to hear some good local talent, we might make some good
connections, we'd get a chance to get a better feel for each other while
playing on stage. What a blast!
Actually it was more like What a shock! Waiting for one's turn at the
open mic is my working definition of "paying your dues". I was stunned by
the level of ineptitude of over half the players. It was painful to be in
the same room with these guys. How they could get up there and assault the
audience (right after a wonderful performance by someone else) is beyond
me. And yet, there they'd be, week after week, playing the same awful song
the same awful way without a smidge of improvement, and without the
slightest hint of any discomfort on their part.
Their inability to discern that they need a lot more practice, and
that the audience is waiting anxiously for them to finish, seems like some
sort of mental block. A slective blindness. They remind me of anorexics
who look in the mirror and still see a fat person even though their bones
are showing.
I can't understand it either. But I think they're a fact of life.
Nowadays when Chris and I sign up at an open mic, we check out where we are
in the line-up, estimate when we'll be on, and leave until then. The good
acts just don't make up for the stinkers.

Sad but true,
Rod

- --
Rod Thomas email: sk~te.com