Played a Gig tonight...

[Kip]

at a local coffee house. It went OK. I couldn't hear myself as well as I would have liked. I had been toying with using my K&K p/u but just went with straight mic. I am going to do some homework before the next time out so I can get more sound both to the monitor and front of house.
I enjoyed playing out a lot... though I wasn't stellar I think I did well as an accompany melody/harmony player. The guitar player and I only practiced twice and at the actual gig, though I had chord charts with lyrics, it ended up with him just saying "this one's in A- a-one and a-two..."

I think that actually helped me because I ended up just playing by feel and ear and not focusing on the chord charts too much. I just wish I could have kicked back with a beer afterwards but had to come to work (graveyard shift)... oh well.

Louis

[Mike Snyder]

It usually sounds better, to me, if it's a little loose. Let it flow, good things happen. Sounds like a cool gig. But, if I can't hear myself, bad things........very bad things. I don't have any input for you on sound re-inforcement. Much more informed folks on the Cafe than me. I am a straight mike man, but there are sometimes it just don't work. So I let it flow, and things happen, just not always good. Glad you enjoyed it. Performance is a kick in the pants. And, I've long wondered how many graveshift workers (like me) are posting while the conveyer belt is flopping cakes out onto the floor. "Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do!"

[Kip]

I know the feeling Mike, though I did just pause for a moment to play a few scales... I have noticed that the commitment to "play out" really pushes me to practice more and my left hand has built up some crazy callous material!

I think for better sound I am going to get a seperate "monitor" on my side of the stage. I can hear the guitar just fine. I need to hear myself!

[Andy Miller]

I like to use mics when I can. . . but I always bring preamps and DI's in case it doesn't work out. If hearing yourself becomes a problem, a pickup and a monitor will usually make you feel better despite a less familiar sound!