Band Gig Tips

Whether you’re in a new band just starting out or an experienced musician familiar with the scene, you will always take something away from every gig you play. If could be something that didn’t go as planned that you will know not to try at the next gig, something that was a huge crowd pleaser that will definitely make a reappearance, or something as simple as your own personal set of rituals that gets you and your band ready for each show.

Below are a number of helpful tips and suggestions to keep in mind at your next gig. Whether you play the guitar or the violin, these are all good general things for any musician to know, and could also help your next big show to run a little bit smoother.

Music Stand: This is for those of us that have set lists and key structures written out. The music stand is better than picking all your guitar tabs and sheet music up of the floor after they fall off of your amp.

Instrument stand: I can't even count the times that my guitarist kept forgetting his, he'd prop up his electric guitar and I would watch it fall across the amp after just a few minutes...oh well, save your own instrument. If you want to avoid potential costly damage, be sure to invest in a sturdy instrument stand.

Ear plugs: For obvious reasons, ear plugs are a necessity for anyone that plays an excessively loud instrument such as an electric guitar, bass guitars or the drums, as well as anyone in close proximity to any such instrument on stage.

At the Gig: Don't drink excessively or dope up. It shows in your playing and your professionalism or lack thereof.
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Practice: Be courteous. Send a flier to the neighbors letting them know what time and when you practice ... so if there is a problem they don't call the cops first, they call you.

Band Politics: The band sits at a round table - no egos, everyone gets a say - democracy - discuss your goals, tunings, who knows what, song dynamics, etc. A happy band is a successful band.

Bring a Towel (or five): To sop up the spilled beer on your amp that your guitarist denies he did. This will also help to keep the stage cleaner and safer for everyone in the band.

Cable: Loop your cable through your amp handle and your strap so it doesn't fall out.

Guitar Picks: Different gauges for anyone in your band who uses one.

Spare Cords and Cables: Oh yeah it worked yesterday why doesn't it work today? BTW, wrap your cords when you are done - the copper wire has a memory.

Spare Microphones: If you sing it is always good to have a back up. There is nothing like watching, in slow motion, a microphone hitting the ground and splitting into pieces.

Tuner: Guaranteed your guitarist thinks he's in tune and everybody else is out.

Extra Batteries: For the tuner (which proves your guitarist wrong) or effects pedals.

Extra bass guitar and guitar strings: Obviously for yourself but even a set of guitar strings. Guaranteed when a guitar string breaks, it's always the high E ... and it's on a Sunday and the music store is closed and the gig is in an hour.

Drum Key: Drummer arrives and can't tune his set, or can't put a new skin on.

Power Strip/Surge Protector: For some reason, clubs always have problems with their power, go figure - too many surges or blown circuit breakers than I care to remember.

Screwdriver: To get into your instrument or amp if there are any problems.

Allen Wrenches: A must have if you want or do any instrument adjustments.

Tubes: For all of you oldies out there.

Fuses: GK amps especially.

Pen/Paper: Whether for a song idea that pops into your head mid-show, or just any random idea you happen to think of, a pen a paper always seen to come in handy.

Crazy Glue: For your fingers or your guitarist's mouth.

Duct Tape: Repairs anything ... also for guitarist ... oh yeah broken drum skins.

Duffel Bag: To carry everything you are secretly supplying.

Spare Cloths: For yourself, not the kinky kind but something that is comfortable for either relaxing in before/after the show, or to change into should you or someone else have an accident with a drink.

Take every suggestion on this list to heart, and you are good to go for your next gig. I know you will feel like a walking hardware store, but trust me you will thank me in the end.

Stage Craft Secrets

Stage Craft Secrets

You have the tunes, you have the gig now comes the difficult task of marrying the 2 together so your show becomes an “Event”. Something that is talked about for days, weeks or years to come and a display that lives long in the memory of those in attendance. How do you achieve such a feat? Stage craft! And here are our top tips:

KNOW THE MUSI C INSIDE OUT

The first essential is to make sure you’re absolutely on top of the

music. This is the physical or technical side of self-confidence. You

have to free yourself from worrying about whether you play the

right notes or sing the right words. This means rehearsing to the point where

you can almost play without thinking about what you’re doing. Here are a

couple of pointers to help you.

PRACTICE AS IF YOU’RE PLAYING LIVE -

To get ultra comfortable with your material rehearse as if you’re gigging.

This means sticking to the set list in terms of which songs and the order you

rehearse them. You can work out song starts (who does what), where there are

potential problem areas (down-tunings, guitar switches etc).

Playing the set-list when you’re practising is the same as a “dress rehearsal”

and will itself help ease any stress on gig-night. When it comes to the gig

you’ll have been through the same songs in the same order in rehearsal

countless times before. This will increase your confidence and technical mastery

just like playing gig after gig.

HANDICAP YOUR REHEARSALS

You can make performing feel much easier on gig night and so increase your

confidence by “handicapping” yourselves at rehearsals. Rehearse without

letting your singer check out his lyric sheets or guitarists stare at fret boards.

This will also help keep your focus where it needs to be when the time comes

to play live: Out towards your audience!

Drummers and guitarists can also handicap themselves with weights on their

wrists. You don’t want to overdo it and risk injury of course, so you can for

example, use a heavy watch and/or wristbands when you rehearse. You then

leave your wrists bare and so lighter and easier to play with whenever you gig.

RELAX ONSTAGE

Onstage you’ll perform and relate to your audiences better

if you’re feeling relaxed. Crowds can often tell when a

performer is uptight or anxious and it can make them

uncomfortable too. Concentrate on your breathing pattern as this is a key to your feelings of either

tension or relaxation. Once you’re aware of your breathing, just deepen it and

slow it down. This will naturally dissolve feelings of tension and replace them

with calmness. You have to keep on top of it as you’re learning and gaining

performance confidence. Repeat it over and over. Eventually, like most habits

you develop, you’ll find it’s become second nature.

However, all of the advice in the world can’t beat experience. So accept every gig offered and learn by experience.