Chit-Chat between songs

[CDKopf]

I need some advice - We;ve been gigging now for about a year and my wife always tells me I need to "chat it up" more with the crowd. Nothing major just a bit of dialogue between songs. I fully agree because It will establish a bit of rapport with the crowd and..well it eats up a little time. We have 15 songs per set and those old rockabilly songs are pretty short. So I try to throw an extra guitar solo in there maybe repeat the first verse to lengthen it a little and we still burn through sets like Rosie Odonnell through a cupcake. So A little chit chat between songs would definitely help....So the question is....what the hell do I talk about??? Im terrible at that! I guess you could say Im pretty much all business..Im in the zone running the next song through my head, thinking about the guitar licks and solo's and lyrics all in those 10 or so seconds before we kick off the next one. So what do all you seasoned bar gig veterans talk about with your crowd? The weather? Your Dog? Make fun of the drunk in the corner? Tell come corny jokes? Just some ideas to keep in my pocket would help out quite a bit....

[ac15]

Are you a funny, talkative, clever guy when you're out socially? If so, just be yourself and be clever or funny between songs just letting it flow. I believe that if you have a hard time coming up with something to say, you're better off just plowing through songs. That's way cooler than saying generic crap like "do you feel alright", "are you having a good time" or "put your hands together."

[Joe-Bob]

Keep it simple. Welcome and thank the audience. Introduce a different band member each time. Less is more. People are there to hear you play, not to hear you BS.

[androo]

Well..You could talk about the tune you just played, or the tune you are about to play...a little history, why you like the tune, why it's meaningful to you perhaps?

I would steer clear of just talking nonsense about nothing, keep it in line with what you are doing here, which is making music.

When in doubt, don't say anything.

Just play.

Most folks don't give two cents for the banter, especially if you are forcing it.

However, if it comes naturally to you (which it doesn't seem like it does), then that's a different story. In that case, talk on...if it seems to keep people focused on you and what you are doing!

droo

[RCinMempho]

Talk to the bartender or owner. They will tell you things to plug. Any drink specials or promos are fair game to announce. Plug any special events they have scheduled or even regular things like Monday Night Football.

Learn the names of the waitresses and bartenders. Yell back to the bartender and see if they have any beer left - then tell the crowd they have more drinking to do. Remind the crowd to tip their servers. Say hi to the servers and ask them things like - what kind of beer was that odd bottle - what was that dessert - any thing like that.

If you are going to be back at that venue, you can plug that. Never mention a gig at another venue unless it is a charity event and you clear it with the club first.

All of the stuff above works at every bar gig, and that will give you a good bit of material to start. Chances are you'll say something wrong or funny in the process or maybe the crowd will. Once something funny happens you can refer to it again later. Repetition is funny. Anything funny that happens can be referenced again as the night goes on.

This stuff is like learning to play. You have to work at it, but the more you do it, the better you'll get. Dive in. It's a fun part of the job.

[barkley]

Hers a few ideas: Naming your songs, mentioning your band name, thanking the crowd for coming, the bar for having you, or the event organiser for giving you the gig, etc. Talk about how much longer you have in your set, or any other gigs you have coming up, but especially thank the bands who played earlier and mention you'll be sticking around to see any bands playing after you.

If you have any funny 'in jokes' with your band mates at rehearsal you could share them, or share some personal info about members or something funny like that. I remember a band i saw once mentioned that they all work in the same shop- it actually was funny to hear at the time and portrayed the personal side of the band.

I'll be watching this thread closly, i need some more ideas too!!

[tc6969]

I have a natural gift for this kind of thing and can step up to the mic and just let things flow.

My capo story (told while my rhythm player searched for one) is still legendary.
But let someone break a string and whisper "TC talk to them!" and my mind goes blank!

Try to have standard things to talk about like drink specials, new barmaids/waitresses next weeks band, be careful driving home and after you get the opening line out there, the rest should just come.

[RCinMempho]

The broken string - also known as taking a string break. I once told the audience that his Indian name was Little Broken String. That one lasted all night.

Then there are the jokes...

We got a lot of requests for this one, but we are going to play it anyway.
It was in tune when I bought it.
First day with the new fingers.
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.

Joe bought a new guitar/bass/drumset this week, but he took it back. Why? It only played the same songs he already knew.

Everybody congratulate Joe who just signed a new record deal. He only has to buy four more at regular club prices.

There's a bunch of them. If you plan on doing this for a long time, you have a long time to learn them.

[kelnet]

If you're playing bars where they dance, let them know that you can see them. Point out a few really great dancers. Make it seem like you and the audience are all having a great time together.
Even the inane comments like "Damn, it's hot in here, ain't it," have the effect of bonding you to your audience.
Rockabilly is about as fun as it gets, so let them know you're having a good time too. Comment on how good your bandmates are.
If you're playing a small town, and it's a rowdy bar, play to the fact that everyone knows everyone. "So, who are the women we have to watch out for in this town?" It's kind of sexist and a bit lame, but it gets a cheer every time, usually from the women.

[brokenjoe]

If you've got something to say, say it. If not, don't force it. Keep it natural.

[Dave Hopping]

"We take requests.If we know it we'll do it.If we don't know it we'll prove it."

(example) "Joe's your bartender tonight,and Mary and Jenny are your waitresses.Please be nice to them;they're working hard so we can all have a good time".

[jhundt]

"Joe's your bartender tonight,and Mary and Jenny are your waitresses.Please be nice to them;they're working hard so we can all have a good time".

absolutely +1 - always introduce the bar and encourage the customers to tip generously. That's something to talk about, and it will please the staff and bar owner and they will want you to play there again.

[Sollophonic]

Roy Harper was famous for between song banter that went on for ages. I witnessed on of his gigs where he spent at least half the set talking and joking, yet it was part of "his" act.

[Tonemonkey]

You could always take the Paul Stanley approach:

10 minute story bigging up the band's sexual prowess, finished with:

"I'll tell you what, that baby had the longest f**ing tongue I've ever seen!" whilst pointing at Gene.

Obviously you need to adapt the trademark feature for your respective band members. e.g.

"I'll tell you what, that baby had the manboobs too!" whilst pointing your bassist.

Just an idea.....might or might not work...not sure....let me know how it goes.

[jjkrause84]

I like a little friendly banter especially BEFORE a show (i.e. while setting up). In between songs? Not so much. If you're in a relaxed setting and you're there for HOURS then you might wanna chat a bit almost in the lounge singer tradition (just not as plastic and sleazy of course) talk to the waitresses, etc. If not....introduce yourself, tell a joke if you can (I like tellign audiences that I'm from Glasgow in my strong American accent...simple stuff like that for a quick laugh) then get to work. That's my advice.

[Tonemonkey]

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

I like telling audiences that I'm from Glasgow in my strong American accent...simple stuff like that for a quick laugh) then get to work.

I thought you were German! That's the internet for you!

[Wardpike]

Stories about the songs are great, drink specials if you're there to sell booze (most of us are- most of the time), tell the people what they want to hear:
"Wow, we're having a great time tonight" "You're the best audience we've ever had" "Holy crap, this is a good looking crowd here tonight. Some sort of model convention in town?"
"Sure we take requests, we probably don't know them or will screw 'em up but we'll take them." "Mark down your request on a $20 bill and your complaints on a $50."

There are plenty of little lines and snippets you can come up with.
What is your audience normally like? Try to cater to them.

People appreciate conversation. There's no real need to swear or use foul language, it often makes a man look crude and less appealing to most of your audience who probably don't swear at their jobs. At the start of the show ask if anyone's celebrating a birthday, marriage, engagement, or divorce (!) and then play up their celebration(s).

I hope that helps a bit!

Ward

[rand z]

a good entertainer/musician "pulls" the audience into the songs... this can be done in many ways, especially if you have a gift for gab.

- ask the customers where there from, local or out of town... actually talk to them between songs. doesnt have to go on for 10 minutes, but youre acknowledging their PRESENCE>

- if youre doing any original material, give an intro as to what inspired the song. again, doesnt have to be a 20 minute dissertation on a lost love, but the point is that you are continually "PULLING THEM IN" between songs and, again YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR PRESENCE.

- then there's jokes or funny stories or even current events can be used to get THEIR ATTENTION. but, try to stay away from anything TOO CONTROVERSIAL>

- a pretty girl, a strange hat, a nice jacket... if the food theyre eating looks or smells good, theres always room for a compliment or funny comment (done in reasonably good taste)

the important thing again is:

THAT YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR PRESENCE and...

CONTINUALLY PULLING THEM INTO YOUR PERFORMANCE/MUSIC.

imo, too many performers are lax in this area and the ones that are successful are great at working their audience.

rand z

[kelnet]

CDKopf, what kind of gig do you usually play?

[CDKopf]

Originally Posted by Tonemonkey

"I'll tell you what, that baby had the manboobs too!" whilst pointing your bassist.

Just an idea.....might or might not work...not sure....let me know how it goes.

I take it you've seen our Myspace picture...

[CDKopf]

Originally Posted by kelnet

CDKopf, what kind of gig do you usually play?

MOstly '50's rockabilly. Then throw a couple classic rock bar favorites in towards the end when everybody is "in thier prime"
Right now we'll play anywhere we can get. We've played bars, town festivals, biker rally's, private organizations (VFW, Eagles) Saturday we're playing a small bar in a little town outside of Spokane. Our favorite actually , we've played there before, frequent the place on our off time, know the owner/bartenders. This'll be a good one to practice some of the advice you guys have given...thanks!

[woodman]

between-songs banter helps bring the audience in on the act — if you don't talk at all, the band seems remote and separate from the crowd. the more you can make the whole room one big happy family, the better your gig will go.

i'll usually string two, three or four songs together, then talk a little about all the stuff mentioned in the posts above while the band gets a deep breath and a sip of beer. even in the scummiest clubs, the band needs to realize that the goal is putting on a show, and the front man is the master of ceremonies.

[Dave Hopping]

You can also punctuate banter with licks,like at the end of "Happy Birthday" doing 4 snare hits in time and then the lick from the Beatles' "Birthday".

[cdc3jj]

Try to check out Jeff Tweedy's solo shows dvd. He's kind of known for his banter. One of my favorites is off the Kicking Television discs.... Recorded in Chicago...

Crowd member: "Kansas City!!!"
Jeff: "Thank you, thanks for coming from kansas city."
Crowd member:"YEAH!!!!"
Jeff: "Now be quiet."

[vic108]

Guys who can do that like an art form:

Tom Waits
Leo Kottke


and who was the guy on stage getting jeered by someone in the crowd....

he just smiles and says "Yeah, I remember my first beer too!".

[MandyMarie]

Originally Posted by brokenjoe

If you've got something to say, say it. If not, don't force it. Keep it natural.

+1.

Before the band I'm in now, I had done nothing but play lead guitar. I just had to stand there and smile...and focus on whatever I was going to play. I didn't have to think about lyrics or anything other than what fills I wanted play and what kind of direction I wanted to take the solo that was coming up.

...I miss those days ;)

I struggled with it like crazy until it finally dawned on me that I could just be myself. If you're a naturally friendly person, someone who is easy to talk to off stage...let that come out on stage. If you're not...only talk when you have something to say and don't force anything. Because when you do? It's obvious.

Be yourself. Even if that means you're silent in between songs.

My opinion only!

[Rick J]

"This next song was written in nineteen - sixty five, - but we're going to do it in four-four."

Any musos in the audience will get it............

Rick J

[emu!]

The in-between song banter has always been a thorn in the side for me. I want to be a musician on stage, not a comedian, and surely not a celebrity. That's why I can't stand it when there is too much idle time between songs. I like to start the next song no more than 15 seconds after the end of the last one. Don't let the crowd leave the dance floor...they are there to dance and listen to music, not necessarily to be entertained by a story. JMO. Does it make the band seem aloof?...maybe. But for every person in the bar that thinks the band is aloof, there are two that just want the singer to shut up and sing already.

[Donnie55]

Remember this , introduce the song and get on with. If yer doin a bar , once in a while tell them to tip the bartenders. But people go to clubs to hear music, yer the band so play music.Let the DJ talk trash in between sets ,, thats his or her gig. If yer short on tunes , then jam people always dig a good jam.

[Dave Hopping]

The idea is that it's a show,and the energy level has to be kept up all the time you're onstage.I like emu's thought of banging off 3-4 songs in a row with no more than time for a deep breath in between,then talking for a minute or so with the usual announcements about drink-specials-tip-yer-bartender-yada-yada-yada,and then the next mini-set is on.

[kelnet]

Man, I would hate to hear a band advertising the drink specials. I don't want to think of the band as part of the establishment. I don't want to feel like they're trying to sell me something.
I want them to be part of the party that I'm having that night. I want to feel that the band is having a good time playing for us, and that they are happy we are having a good time dancing to what they're playing.
If it's hot and sweaty in there, I love it when the band is feeling it too. If it's an empty bar, I like the band to acknowledge it and include me in their evening. Then I feel good about showing them my appreciation for the fact that they want to provide a good experience even for a small crowd.

[IdahoPicker]

Hey, nice to see a member on here from the area! I'm from Moscow, and I love rockabilly. I'm currently in a country band, we're doing our best to promote an independently released debut album. One thing about talking in between songs that I've observed is: don't be getting too drunk; it gets annoying really quick! I've learned this from my lead singer, he's a helluva good guy, but has a very big mouth!
(not that you might drink too much, just a funny story)

[Tim Bowen]

Lots of good advice here.

One thing I'll throw it that hasn't been mentioned is a way to avoid onstage banter if you're not comfortable with it: plan three or four song mini-sets that go bam-bam-bam and are designed to elevate a room. After that, folks' ears are ready for a break, and they're cool with it if you need to take a moment to tune, regroup, collect your wits, have a drink, or whatever. Along these lines, you can always plan song segues around allowing the person that has the most prep or maintenance between songs to drop out and get their thing together on the side, while others within the project with less challenging demands can keep the pace moving along. You can say something as simple between tunes (hopefully after some hearty applause!) as "Good evening, thanks for coming out!", or "Thanks, you guys are great." Keep it warm and friendly.

Back to the banter. It's always a good idea to check in with the venue and be aware of what upcoming events they have on tap. Make the plugs short n' sweet for the sake of the room's attention span. The venue operator will appreciate your efforts, which is a consideration as to getting rehired. Keep up with local and world news and look for little ways to connect with an audience in a way that makes it seem like we're all in this together - however, keep it very light and absolutely DO NOT get overly political. If one couple gets up to dance during a tune, you can say something like "We'd like to congratulate the winners of our dance contest - awesome job!". At a bar gig last weekend, we found that much of our audience was comprised of a ten year high school reunion; we learned a little bit about the school, the mascot name of its sports teams, met some folks, and tossed some stuff about all that out over the mic' as we went along.

It's mostly about finding aspects of your personality and sense of humor that are universally applicable as to connecting with others. In my duo, my partner used to stare at me as I was switching between instruments and tuning - amounting to dead air. Finally I said, "You know, you can stare at my tuner all you like, but I'm not going to play until I'm in tune... tell a joke or something!" So it just sort of started from there. We crack with and at each other constantly, and try to treat gigs like we're hanging at a house party. He'll say something like "While we've got a minute, let's all have a drink!" The banter has become as much a part of our schtick over time as has anything else. We're also big history buffs. As to cover tunes, some of the info that we convey is sincere and purely factual, but sometimes we lie like rugs, just to see who's paying attention. For instance... my partner's last name is Bell; sometimes when we cover Big Star's "Thirteen", he'll announce, "Here's a tune I co-wrote with my cousin Chris back in the 70's", which couldn't possibly be further from the truth. Or he'll say "How many Arthur Crudup fans are here tonight?!" And I'll say, "Oh yeah, old lady Crudup's boy, sure!" Then we'll launch into "That's All Right", which most folks think of as being an Elvis Presley song (and certainly his cover put the song on the map).

Another gig I did last weekend was a concert in a theatre. I've done loads of proper concerts, but never with my duo (we're a bar act at heart). It was a bit disconcerting to be met with applause upon being announced, without even having played a single note, but I'll take it. We played a tune, and the room dug it. After that, I said, "You guys are too kind, thanks. Bear with us here, we're not accustomed to playing for polite society. What we're going to do is think of this room as a really big and really nice bar, so here we go!" It was downhill from there.

There are lots of obvious ways to engage a room, but it's a good idea to not second guess the intelligence of the room, as audiences are often far more mature and well listened than many working musicians realize or give their rooms credit for. Cliche's such as "Are you having a good time?!" can be effective, but are really tired; I tend to steer clear of this particular variety of pandering.

[CDKopf]

Thanks for the good advice guys Ill definitely put some into practice. Wow TIm, I mustve struck a chord with you! I dont think Ive ever seen a post that long form you! But as always its filled with great advice! Thanks!

[CDKopf]

Last nights gig went off great...As mentioned we played in a small establishment that we were familiar with and we know the bartenders /owners etc. Plus we had lots of friends, coworkers, spouses etc there as well. So I used the chance to loosen up a bit and utilize some of the good advice from you guys. Everybody had a good time and we interacted and had the crowd hooked pretty good. We played a few new songs that we'd only practiced a time or two because the crowd didnt want us to stop! It definitely makes a huge difference when the crowd feels like theyre part of the act! - Even the old drunk guy holding a beer standing 2 feet away from you swaying back and forth staring at your fretboard while you play guitar had fun!!

edit:
ANother first was the tip bucket...The waitress put one out for us and we accumulated a pretty good bit...but at the end of the night the guys suggested we give the tip to the waitresses to split up between them. I thought that was awesome.

[Dave Hopping]

Originally Posted by kelnet

Man, I would hate to hear a band advertising the drink specials. I don't want to think of the band as part of the establishment. I don't want to feel like they're trying to sell me something.
I want them to be part of the party that I'm having that night. I want to feel that the band is having a good time playing for us, and that they are happy we are having a good time dancing to what they're playing.
If it's hot and sweaty in there, I love it when the band is feeling it too. If it's an empty bar, I like the band to acknowledge it and include me in their evening. Then I feel good about showing them my appreciation for the fact that they want to provide a good experience even for a small crowd.

The band is supposed to LOOK as though they're part of the party.The audience is at the party;the band is at work.Conceptually,the band is providing the aural counterpart to what a caterer provides at a wedding reception,and for the musicians to presume they're OF the party as well as IN the party is a lot like the caterer asking the bride for a dance.

[CDKopf]

Originally Posted by Dave Hopping

The band is supposed to LOOK as though they're part of the party.The audience is at the party;the band is at work.Conceptually,the band is providing the aural counterpart to what a caterer provides at a wedding reception,and for the musicians to presume they're OF the party as well as IN the party is a lot like the caterer asking the bride for a dance.

FWIW... I stepped out on the dance floor and danced with the ladies while playing a smokin' improv guitar solo to Carl Perkins' "Put your Cat Clothes On"... The "bride(s)" LOVED it......

[Charlie Bernstein]

A few songs, then gab. Then a few songs, then gab. Then a few songs, then gab.

Talking about the song or the person who wrote it is great: The Dead popularized "Big Railroad Blues," but it was written by Noah Lewis of Gus Cannon's Cannon Jug Stompers. Lewis's big claim to fame was that he could play two harmonicas at once - one with his mouth and the other with his nose. Sure glad he didn't try to play three....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JULZ9xlOuw

Asking band members how they're doing is a great cheater's way to get your gab up: Hey, Mike, how's it going?... You ever get your starter fixed?... You can tell when it's Mikey coming - he's in the car that doesn't move....

Asking the audience questions is good, too: Hey, anyone know how the Sox are doing? You're kidding! There goes my lunch money. My kid's, too. Man, there's no justice....

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by CDKopf

Last nights gig went off great...

Way to go! And congrats on the tip bucket!

[Dave Hopping]

Originally Posted by CDKopf

FWIW... I stepped out on the dance floor and danced with the ladies while playing a smokin' improv guitar solo to Carl Perkins' "Put your Cat Clothes On"... The "bride(s)" LOVED it......

All part of LOOKING like you're part of the party.And I'm sure you weren't there as the caterer.Glad the gig went well.