Guitar Performace Tips – By Tony Hogan
Eleven Tips for Guitar Players when Gigging
1. Turn up on time
The sundial has been updated and many years ago the Swiss developed some great technology called the clock
2. Check all your equipment is accounted for before you leave for the gig
Leaving your amp at home really sucks
3. Learn how to communicate with other musicians
Screaming at band members was outmoded around about Neanderthal Man
4. Never get intoxicated before you play
Pretending you are Jimi Hendrix is fine, believing it is scary for the rest of the band.
5. Don’t teat the audience with disrespect if they don’t like your music
The chances are, if you haven’t tuned up and the drummer is playing a different song, the audience has every right to be critical.
6. Create good relationships with venue owners
Using the PA to describe negative attributes of the guy paying your wages is a no, no, even if has short changed you two dollars, there are other ways to sort issues.
7. Speak up for yourself when need be
Telling your girlfriend about band problems instead of telling the band, is a great way to prove to your girlfriend that you don’t have any skills at dealing with issues, but don’t worry there’s a great market for songs about your lover leaving you
8. Don’t throw tantrums in public places.
Unless you’re using is a promotional tool, showing the anger management skills of a four year old is not great for your career
9. Pack an extra extension power lead and guitar lead
Standing next to a refrigerator at the other side of the room at the only available power point waving at the rest of the band, would be a little embarrassing.
10. Check all your equipment is accounted for before you go home
“Now where did I leave my ’69 Les Paul, I had it last night?”
11. Don’t believe the saying “You’re only as good as your last gig”
That’s bullcrap, there’s good and bad nights, learn from your experiences
Great tips, Tony
Some more;
Beware of playing near electric fans…It might blow your music underneath a table, and if you go crawling on your knees looking for it…”Madam, I assure you I really AM looking for my er, music…” Embarassing at best. Worst, potential lawsuit!
If you play at the same venues two nights running, try to play a different programme, or one with variations. Like when I told one diner “I will try to make any mistakes at different point in the music this time”, or “I’m playing the same notes as last night, but in different order”.
Think about the best time to take a break in your playing. Often, just as I’ve been about to take a break different people will turn up (if restaurant) so it’s a tendency to think “I can’t go off now as these new people have only just turned up”. BUT it’s hard to play for over an hour without taking a break.
Just some more ideas