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Monday, August 17, 2009

Volume Control

Everyone knows that, "it goes to eleven," but rarely is it appropriate to do so!

I've played in dozens of venues and I've hosted thousands of open mics, and the most prevalent 'issue' with musicians is 'volume control.'

There's a time and a place for 'blowin' it out,' but that time/place is not in a small bar with twenty-five people sitting within thirty-feet of the stage.

Most people go to bars/restaurants to socialize. They can't socialize if they can't have a conversation. These are the people that approach management and complain about the volume.

At many of our Atlanta open mics, venues management uses them to audition new acts. The number-one reason that good acts don't get hired is that they were 'too loud.'

Try this... Purposely make your volume 'too low' and try to get someone to ask you to 'turn it up.' It's a weird feeling. You'll love it!

I know this sounds 'preachy,' but if this gets through to just one musician, then I've done my job.


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2 comments:

  1. dear kramer, very intelligent observations. just stumbled across you. now u r bookmarked! hah! -- the ol' Chipster, in SF

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  2. Hey Chip - Thanks for stopping by! Check out our site in you 'hood' at http://www.OpenMicSanfrancisco.com Go make some music!

    ReplyDelete