I have to agree with something Marian said, and that you DO have to take the situation and venue you're playing in into consideration. At many of the places I perform at, which are mainly coffee house venues, people aren't there to be blown away by your performance. For all intents and purposes, anyone could be playing, or they'd be just as content with piped in satellite radio. Alot of the folks are just coming in to get warm with a cup of coffee, for some dessert after dinner and a movie, to have conversation or alot of college students come in to study. One consideration that can totally turn a crowd against you is volume level. You have to be willing to perhaps suffer with not hearing yourself as well sometimes so that the people ther can talk at a reasonable level. Just some thoughts...
davey O.

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