Tips for first time performers

mcblink

mcblink

Ambassador of Riffs & Spliffs
To be clear, I don't have any. I've never performed before.
I'm gonna be getting my cherry popped in about a month. Our band booked a gig and we've put together a set and have been practicing at least once a week, more if everybody can make it. Gonna have to be an instrumental set. We had a vocalist once but he quit due to health issues.

But I'm still terrified and it's causing me to stress out about it. I'm not enjoying it. This is supposed to be fun, right? Well right now, it's not fun at all lol

It's at a biker bar. You can ride your Harley inside, right through the place. Pull up and park right at the bar. Seems like a cool place, if I liked going to any bars, but I really don't. I do like beer, but I don't like going to the bar to drink it lol

So now I'm supposed to go to a place I hate and do something that scares the poop out of me and this is supposed to be fun?!

I think I'm maybe overthinking myself into a minor mental crisis? Lol


Okay so help me guys. Everyone has heard stuff like "oh, just pretend the audience is all in their underwear" and stuff like that, but I wanna hear about stuff that real people with real experiences use to deal with jitters, butterflies, whatever the hell this is...
 
you sound like me about 2 years ago.
I was freaking out about everything because I hadnt played in front of people in over 30 years.

you will be nervous no matter what, why? because you care and want to do well.
The people at the bar are there to drink, hang out, and have fun. They wont care much.
Once you get through your first song, you will feel better.
just prep, be ready, and have fun with the guys that are up there with you.

You will be fine, I've listened to some of your submissions here and on the MF forums, you play really well.

Dont over think it, you'll blow a gasket.
 
mcblink said:
To be clear, I don't have any. I've never performed before.
I'm gonna be getting my cherry popped in about a month. Our band booked a gig and we've put together a set and have been practicing at least once a week, more if everybody can make it. Gonna have to be an instrumental set. We had a vocalist once but he quit due to health issues.

But I'm still terrified and it's causing me to stress out about it. I'm not enjoying it. This is supposed to be fun, right? Well right now, it's not fun at all lol

It's at a biker bar. You can ride your Harley inside, right through the place. Pull up and park right at the bar. Seems like a cool place, if I liked going to any bars, but I really don't. I do like beer, but I don't like going to the bar to drink it lol

So now I'm supposed to go to a place I hate and do something that scares the poop out of me and this is supposed to be fun?!

I think I'm maybe overthinking myself into a minor mental crisis? Lol


Okay so help me guys. Everyone has heard stuff like "oh, just pretend the audience is all in their underwear" and stuff like that, but I wanna hear about stuff that real people with real experiences use to deal with jitters, butterflies, whatever the hell this is...
Click to expand...

Start off with a good set of strings that have had some "play time" on them, so you are not fighting stretching strings during a show.

Have some form of straplock or locking strap so you don't drop your instrument.

Consider the crowd and streamline your equipment. Try to minimize the potential for problems. Run just the amp without FX of possible.

Have a spare cable.

When playing, remember this...

Most patrons don't play an instrument.

They just wanna rock out.

Have fun.

Give them what they deserve....

P.S.

My greatest compliments have been from the performances i liked the LEAST.
 
I plan on bringing 2 guitars, fresh strings on both
Not sure if I bring TSL or DSL, either one will do. TSL requires an EQ pedal in loop, DSL requires BE-OD out front. So either one, just one pedal, nothing fancy. And the tuner too...
We have a few spare cables to bring...
Should probably stock up on a bunch of fresh Duracell 9v too...
 
mcblink said:
I plan on bringing 2 guitars, fresh strings on both
Not sure if I bring TSL or DSL, either one will do. TSL requires an EQ pedal in loop, DSL requires BE-OD out front. So either one, just one pedal, nothing fancy. And the tuner too...
We have a few spare cables to bring...
Should probably stock up on a bunch of fresh Duracell 9v too...
Click to expand...

If you can run with just an amp, run it.

Less FX - Less chance of a problem...

Make sure strings have settled....
 
mcblink said:
I plan on bringing 2 guitars, fresh strings on both
Not sure if I bring TSL or DSL, either one will do. TSL requires an EQ pedal in loop, DSL requires BE-OD out front. So either one, just one pedal, nothing fancy. And the tuner too...
We have a few spare cables to bring...
Should probably stock up on a bunch of fresh Duracell 9v too...
Click to expand...

If you can run with just an amp, run it.

Less FX - Less chance of a problem...

Make sure strings have settled....
mcblink said:
So maybe restring a day or two before and put a couple hours on em?

Also, bringing a spare amp is probably wise, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Stretch/stabilize strings a few days agead of time.

Spare amp is a good idea if space permits.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
I did mine a few days before. Gave them a good workout for a couple of days, and put them in their cases.

I was using the bands gear, because I was just filling in, so all I had to do is show up with my guitars.
Click to expand...

I did that back in February 2022 when we played at Fontana Raceway for the NASCAR 400.

20220226_064223.jpg

I played through the music academy's funky Yamaha half stack thingy.

20220226_075912.jpg

It had loose knobs, loose jacks and i wasn’t sure it was gonna make it!!!!!!!!

I ran without a board and set all the EQ's halfway and cranked it wide open....

I had no backup cable, FX or anything.

The second Les Paul was tuned to D Standard for one song only.

20220226_081423.jpg

The wind was so strong it blew some of the lighting down off the main stage before Nita Strauss's national anthem performance, so they moved us to an outfield stage during the repair operations.

Screenshot_20220219-190133_YouTube.jpg

I had to wear a bandana to keep the grit put of my teeth!!!!

20220226_093558.jpg
 
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When we played it was pretty smooth. Except I dropped my pick in the middle of one of the songs, which was pretty funny, I think it was Roadhouse Blues if I remember correctly.
Top it off, we just suffered a huge storm and I remember some of the guys lost some gear because of flooding. The gear we had packed up for the gig survived. That part sucked, but the show was great to play.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
When we played it was pretty smooth. Except I dropped my pick in the middle of one of the songs, which was pretty funny, I think it was Roadhouse Blues if I remember correctly.
Top it off, we just suffered a huge storm and I remember some of the guys lost some gear because of flooding. The gear we had packed up for the gig survived. That part sucked, but the show was great to play.
Click to expand...

I got a call a few months back. A local band asked me to fill in for one performance at a local 1980's club. Very spur-of-the-moment thing.

20220416_213525.jpg

I just winged it and it was one of my best performances.
 
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Inspector #20 said:
I got a call a few months back. A local band asked me to fill in for one performance at a local 1980's club. Very spur-of-the-moment thing.

View attachment 88359

I just winged it and it was one of my best performances.

youtube.com

Fender MIJ Boxer H-H Guitar Spin At Work

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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Rob, Please dont encourage it with a successful spin. Next thing you know, we are all gonna try it, just to see if we can.
 
Mike you are going to have the jitters no matter what.. I always had them.. and I would just calm down by first running through finger exercises, then have a beer.. made sure I was still in tune. And went out an did the best I could, after the first song.. all was good.
And yes put fresh strings on a day or two before you go on.
Biker Bar don’t f around with Freebird, they take that one seriously I am told..
Enjoy my friend.

Mitch
 
Mitch Pearrow SJMP said:
Mike you are going to have the jitters no matter what.. I always had them.. and I would just calm down by first running through finger exercises, then have a beer.. made sure I was still in tune. And went out an did the best I could, after the first song.. all was good.
And yes put fresh strings on a day or two before you go on.
Biker Bar don’t f around with Freebird, they take that one seriously I am told..
Enjoy my friend.

Mitch
Click to expand...
FREEBIRD!
 
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