Acoustic Guitar Player

Have you ever been to watch a guitarist play and he/she spend so much time frigging around on the stage before they start playing the first song that you are already wishing you hadn’t bothered going to see them? Regardless whether it be blues, classical, rock or whatever style, it’s darn annoying.

Some  players are fantastic at chatting and tuning up before they start, they have got it down so that it’s become part of the act.  This sort of skill you are born with or it comes from years of performing.  If you don’t have this skill, there are a number of things to consider. 

Here’s a list of what you need to think about:

• Are you there early enough?
• Have you checked out the room?
• Do you know where the power points are?
• Are your cables long enough?
• What PA system is available and do you know how to use it?
• Have you done a set list?
• Is there a place you can tune up quickly nearby?
• Do you have spare plectrums and strings?
• Is your guitar in good working order?
• Do you have spare batteries if you need them?
• Do you know the tunes well enough to be performing?
• Is your mobile off?  Unless it’s part of the act

These things listed above are part of a long list of things that need to be considered if you are performing in public.

And the BIG one:  Don’t ever practice the song you are about to play on stage before you play it… I’ve seen this so many times.

And do a sound check if humanly possible and tune your instrument properly