I've run into this problem the last few weeks: I'm playing at an open mic, the audience starts clapping (good thing, means they're into it), but it feels like they're clapping out of rhythm (bad thing). I'm not sure if they're not holding a beat or I'm not holding the beat, but it's annoying either way. Most times I just try to ignore the clapping, but a couple times I try to "catch up" with it (maybe they're clapping ahead of the beat?).
Anybody else encounter this phenomenon? And how did you or do you deal with it?
-Bryce