Off Topic Playing live for the first time

[Jamie M]

I was only expecting a few comments on this thread but you guys have blown me away with your help. I feel a lot better just reading what you have all experienced in a live situation. I am now ready to tear up the stage and make the Musicman name shine in my home town ( i hope )

Thanks again

 

[e.mate]

...and don't do what I did on my first gig. It was the mid-80s, glam rock era. The zipper of my (very tight) leather pants broke. I wore magenta underwear. The rest is history

(and all of you know one of my dirty secrets right now *LOL*)

 

[spkirby]

Like everyone said above, preparation is key. Make sure your guitars are in top condition, bring extra strings, tools, tuners, batteries, leads, setlists, towel(!).

Start with a song thats simple, I find it takes time for the fingers to warm up when you are nervous so start with the easy stuff and leave the more technical stuff for later!

Lastly, ENJOY it! Get into the music and your enthusiasm will flow into the crowd! Nothing beats playing live!!

 

[Charles5150]

Don't drink more than one or two beers before the show, save it for after. Alcohol gives you the wrong effect that you are playing lot better than you are really doing.

And, as said, enjoy it, music is magic, realize how fortunate you are of being able to play live and make your audience little happier that night

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

Check this out, some real good advice from "PoPoppa" (aka BP) here:

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...ppas-lessons-playing-live-random-tidbits.html

Have fun and Good Luck!!

 

[colinboy]

Jamie congrats on playing your first gig.Arent you a member of LL too,i think i replied to your thread on that forum.

 

[LawDaddy]

Excellent job to re-post BP's post.

There's a certain etiquette I find in the traditional blues I play regarding volume and trading licks that is pretty apparent in its absence when watching those that don't know when to lay back. Same in traditional country and bluegrass. You just gotta get out there and play and learn. Have elephant ears. Well-run jams are an excellent way to learn the groundrules.

 

[kbaim]

Excellent job to re-post BP's post.

There's a certain etiquette I find in the traditional blues I play regarding volume and trading licks that is pretty apparent in its absence when watching those that don't know when to lay back. Same in traditional country and bluegrass. You just gotta get out there and play and learn. Have elephant ears. Well-run jams are an excellent way to learn the groundrules.

Just reread. Fantastic thread. Love how Luke chimes in at post 50!

 

[RobW]

great read

Luke comes up with some great analogies:

Vinnie Moore refuses to play Country Boy...it scares the livin daylights out of Petrucci. He would rather lick hot pavement than have to play it. Morse and Luke love it. Luke calls it the "giant steps of country. It is soloing through major chords only...no pentatonic cheating.

 

[LawDaddy]

Bump to see how the OP did?

 

[ebmmboy_]

I've lost count of how many gigs I've played sitting in with bands. The best tip I could give is to make sure you know what key the songs are in. If I know that I can cheat my way through without too many people knowing if I'd made a mistake. Especially on bass.

-Bobby

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

...Fantastic thread.

Amen, brother!!

 

[Jamie M]

Hi Guys

After the initial nerves ( i nearly didnt turn up ) things went ok. I made a few errors due to shaking hands but the band were happy with it so it is all good.

You will all find this bit funny, at the end a man in the crowd asked what guitar i had. I told him and he said these exact words

" never heard of Musicman kid, are they crap from China? Do yourself a favour and get a Gibson"

I thanked him for his words of wisdom, grinned and walked away.

Thanks for all your comments and help on this thread guys

 

[JMD]

Congrats Jamie M! You've hit an important mark. I think you handled the Gibson dude like a pro. Cheers to live gigs, good ol' nerves and having the guts to get outside your comfort zone. Now go brush up on 'Freebird'!

 

[threeminutesboy]

Congrats you made it without any major issues, the shaking hand thing will disapear with time

The pain in the belly will always be here at the time to start, but the rest will flow

 

[fbecir]

Congratulations

Live playing is like cycling : the first 20 years are the hardest ... after that you don't feel the pain anymore !

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

...The pain in the belly will always be here at the time to start, but the rest will flow...

On one of the DT dvd's, if you listen to the audio track with the band commenting, you can hear JP talk about getting butterflies!

 

[Tollywood]

1. Don't wear shorts! (In case it is cold).

I respectfully disagree...I always feel so darn hot when I'm on stage. I usually wear shorts! And, I always bring a floor fan that I can angle up toward my area, too. Super important, because if you are hot, you will feel miserable.

As for nerves, if I feel nervous, I blur my vision slightly so the audience looks like nothing: I'm just playin' some tunes...nobody's watching me...

But, keep a blurry eye on the edge of the stage!!!

 

[captaineo]

One word - BREATHE

 

[ScoobySteve]

This thread is pure awesomeness.

I totally biffed my first two live gigs. So embarassing, but its ok, it was a good learning experience. Once you know how the nerves feels its easier to manage each time again.

My tips (despite its over for Jamie )

1. Breathe regularly. This is so important in relaxing and making sure you dont uncontrollably tense up while playing. It's the hardest one to do, but the best one IMO.

2. Know your music inside and out. I've played some songs to memory so much that it has almost become a chore to play them. The live energy will give you rebirth and you'll be playing the song largely from muscle memory. This helps a LOT.

3. If you make a mistake, don't stop. WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T STOP! Keep playing!

4. Last resort. Close your eyes, feel the music, and play like you're in your living room and no one's watching!