Transition from shy bedroom guitarist to gig next month - help!

Slash'N'burn · October 2022

Acdeezee86 said:

Envious of you OP! Don't forget to let us know how it goes!!

Will do! And if I can get to play in a band, seriously anybody can!

Slash'N'burn · October 2022

I've arranged an open mic thing with the singer/rhythm guitarist for next week, hopefully this will help towards the upcoming gig.

Thanks again for all the help. Think I will be reading back through this thread on the night of the gig, because it really does put me in the right frame of mind!

AntonHunter · October 2022

Slash'N'burn said:

I've arranged an open mic thing with the singer/rhythm guitarist for next week, hopefully this will help towards the upcoming gig.

Thanks again for all the help. Think I will be reading back through this thread on the night of the gig, because it really does put me in the right frame of mind!

Great! Should help drum up some audience for the full band gig too!

roberty · October 2022

digitalkettle said:

randella said:
And, apart from anything else, there's nothing worse than needing a piss halfway through a set

Yes there is: having a piss halfway through a set!

Pro tip: go for a wee

That's a good one

mrkb · October 2022

roberty said:

digitalkettle said:

randella said:
And, apart from anything else, there's nothing worse than needing a piss halfway through a set

Yes there is: having a piss halfway through a set!

Pro tip: go for a wee

That's a good one

Not in this way though

https://youtu.be/xCwXy0aq6Do

Flanging_Fred · October 2022

Lots of good advice here.

If the venue is very hot you can get rather sweaty and if you’re not careful you can get a bit dehydrated, which can lead to cramp. This doesn’t seem to affect everyone, but I always have a bottle of water to keep hydrated (not a glass as it can spill) and eat a banana before the gig (for the potassium).

Getting cramp in the middle of your showpiece solo is not fun.

Good luck and have fun.

chor808 · October 2022

Some great information above. I think when I started I thought everyone would hear every missed noted or chord but they just don't. We've had a couple of stinkers were we've walked off thinking that was terrible only to told that was great. Someone said just remember you are up there doing it, pretty much everyone else watching would love to be able to play or sing.

Enjoy it, play at home stood up, don't bother about mistakes no one will notice. You will be buzzing after, don't expect to sleep!

shufflebeat · October 2022

Nice thread.

The most helpful things for me:

At some point during rehearsal when things are going well, look around you and notice what and who are there. Notice your own body/mind state and remember that when you're in that mindset things go well.

This is your happy place.

If at any point when things aren't going your way think back and put yourself in your happy place, when you get good at this you can do it instantly but it might take a second to start with. All will fall into place.

And remember, you're not required to produce magic. Some of playing is quite boring and some gigs are awful, that's not about you.

Good enough is good enough, that's why they call it good enough.

Slash'N'burn · October 2022

Thanks again for all the help and advice.
Well the *month* I had to get prepared has been shortened a bit - we now have a gig this Friday, as a support act! the practice run at an open mic is this Wednesday. I won't get to meet the drummer until the gig! But it's all good - I'll do what I can do and enjoy it.

shufflebeat · October 2022

One more thing:

If in doubt - do less and do it confidently.

mudslide73 · October 2022

Unfortunately we start the first set with my three quickest/hardest solos so I've found a few minutes of warmup gets me through. Remember to look up!

uberscott · October 2022

I can't add much to the practical advice to what's already been said, but just under three years ago I was in much the same position as you. By my 40s I had been playing for over 30 years, but hadn't gigged regularly since my 20s. Three years ago, I got back into regular playing/practice and joined a local band, and honestly - it's one of the best things I've ever done. We play pub gigs once or twice a month, and I've improved a lot in both playing and performing. I bloody love it, and I hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I do - good luck and have a blast!

mark_jwedge · October 2022

shufflebeat said:

One more thing:

If in doubt - do less and do it confidently.

+1 to this!

Less is definitely more generally when gigging but especially when you start out.

Use as small a pedal board as possible to minimise getting in a mess with pedal dancing, plus less stuff to go wrong/trouble shoot.

When you get your amp up to gig level, use a bit less bass and a bit less gain than you think you need.

Then when solo time comes many less notes at much less speed than you think!

A good tip someone gave me once was to prevent getting carried away when soloing (particularly improv) play a phrase and then physically take your hand off the neck of the guitar to allow a pause before playing the next phrase/lick.

Good luck and enjoy. If you look like you are having a good time it will translate to the audience and they will pick up on it. Simple stuff played in tune goes down great!

mrkb · October 2022

mark_jwedge said:

shufflebeat said:

One more thing:

If in doubt - do less and do it confidently.

+1 to this!

Less is definitely more generally when gigging but especially when you start out.

A good tip someone gave me once was to prevent getting carried away when soloing (particularly improv) play a phrase and then physically take your hand off the neck of the guitar to allow a pause before playing the next phrase/lick.

Great idea - one note per arm windmill should do it

Audience will lap it up.

Classic Rock Bands Pete Townshend of The Who

Slash'N'burn · October 2022

Did the gig last night - It was fun and I survived!

We were a last minute addition to the 3 band event, but when we arrived it turned out that the headliner had pulled out, and we ended up playing last!! First time I'd met the drummer also.

I was bloody nervous while watching the first band, as they were really skilled and a confident bunch of teenagers! It was really hot in there and humid with the strange weather we've had, so whoever suggested taking talc for the fretting hand - thanks again I would of been knackered without it!

We started off with a simpler song to ease into it, but I wasn't quite prepared for how much faster they played their already fast songs live, missed a couple of solos due to that but no-one would of noticed. Ballsed up the lead intro to the 3rd song by playing part of it a semitone out (nerves) but after that it all went well and I really enjoyed being up there and playing live. And I get to do it all again next thur!

If I can do this, seriously anybody can.

shufflebeat · October 2022

Excellent.

There will also be awful gigs, it's not you.

If it is you you'll stop getting gigs so as long as they keep coming - keep enjoying them and don't worry.

HAL9000 · October 2022

Glad it all worked out. keep on keeping on. And keep on enjoying.

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Transition from shy bedroom guitarist to gig next month - help!

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