Members Narcosynthesis Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 heres a thread to compile all the useful little tricks and things to remember to let touring/gigging go as smoothly as possible to start off, look like you are enjoying yourself, even if the sound is horrible and half the bad is out of tune, if you at least look like you are enjoying yourself the audience will still enjoy the show and remember you and how you played and threw yourselves into the show, even if evertyhign didnt go as smoothly as it should have... lets hear all your tricks and ideas then David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zookie Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 When someone compliments you, just reply with a simple "Thanks" or "This is a great place to play". Don't launch into a long speech about how the sound stinks up there, how you missed a cue, etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Cover band advice Interact with the audience. I look at the band's role as being the life of the party. That means not only playing, but talking, joking and entertaining, not acting like a superstar. Play songs people want to hear. You're getting paid to entertain, not to force your esoteric song choices on people. Keep people dancing. If they dance, they stay longer, have fun and drink more. Club owners like that. If you play a song that clears the floor, drop it from your list. Control your volume, especially on stage. Bartenders and wait staff don't want to shout at the top of their lungs. Bartenders have considerable say in whether you come back to a club or not. Keep them happy. Ask if the volume is okay for the room. If they're supplying you with drinks all night, tip accordingly. Add some new songs to your list. Old folks don't mind some newer songs and the young uns don't mind some older songs. Mix it up. We get favorable comments from club owners frequently because we play newer stuff too. Most of them say they want to attract a younger crowd and like hearing the new stuff. Make sure all your equpment works and you have the spare parts and resources to deal with any problems quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar Guru Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 I play in an original band, but I guess these tips are universal: 1. If you don't have your own soundguy, make sure you treat the venue's soundguy with the utmost respect, even if he's a complete dick. You don't need to kiss his ass, but keeping him happy may keep your live sound from sounding like crap. A soundguy can definitely make you sound horrible if he wants too. 2. The volume tip GCDEF gave is a good one. Doesn't matter what style you play, you don't all have to play the "I need to be louder" game. The audience is paying to hear you, not hear a high pitched hissing noise in their ears for days. 3. Put on a show!! Be entertaining......that will go further with the crowd rather than just standing there. Engage the crowd.....work them and they'll love you even more. Enjoy yourself on stage! 4. Always have a backup.....whether it be a guitar, a rig, pics, strings....whatever......the show must always go on! Guys who only bring one guitar to a gig, break a string and just stand there wondering what to do, drive me absotlutely nuts! Be prepared for the worst. 5. Batteries!! Always have batteries......and extension cords. My band always brings our own extension cords just in case. You never know with some of the venues where adequate power will be located. That's all for now.....I know I have more, I just can't think at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Originally posted by Guitar Guru My band always brings our own extension cords just in case. You never know with some of the venues where adequate power will be located. I played a bar once where they were experimenting with having live music on their outdoor deck. Only problem was there was no power on their deck. We had to run an extension cord into the kitchen and power the whole band from that one outlet. Extension cord and several outlet strips. Another time we played outdoors at a country club. Again, only one outlet 50' away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ratthedd Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 On time means you show up at least 30 minutes early. if you show uop when you're expected, you're too late. Always figure that setup will take twice as long as normal - that way you have some buffer time in case something goes wrong. If you're playing outside, always have a plan B in case it rains or gets too windy. Make sure all your equipment is working the day before the show-restring your guitar the day before, check the microphones the day before, etc. If you're starting off any of the songs, be sure you have your part down perfectly. It's easy enough to fudge the middle of a song when others are in the mix, but the intros and endings to songs are what makes or breaks the performance. Smile with your audience. Lay off the hard drinks until later in the evening or not at all. You may think you sound like a guitar god right after drinking 6 shots, but no one else will. Never ask a question of the audience you're not sure what the response will be. Refrain from asking questions like "Are we loud enough?", "How's the mix?", etc. It's the sound man's responsibility to get the mix and volume levels right and you have to trust them to do their job. Never have an argument with a band member in front of any audience or potiential audience members--especially not on stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cassius Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Originally posted by zookie When someone compliments you, just reply with a simple "Thanks" or "This is a great place to play". Don't launch into a long speech about how the sound stinks up there, how you missed a cue, etc etc. Brilliant advice. I was guilty of this at our last gig... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Originally posted by zookie When someone compliments you, just reply with a simple "Thanks" or "This is a great place to play". Don't launch into a long speech about how the sound stinks up there, how you missed a cue, etc etc. Also, I usually thank them, and reply that if they've REALLY enjoyed the music, while it's nice for them to tell us, it's REALLY nice for them to tell the bar owner. He or she is the one who will decide on having us back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Timezarrow Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Have a set list and give every band member a copy. Don't try to pick a song after you've finished the last one. It makes too much dead space. Plan the set out, giving attention to tempo and dynamics. Try to have some songs that you can go right into from others or segues, especially if you have short songs. It can be too much for the audience to be expected to applaud every two minutes. Also, extremely long songs can lose them, depending on the venue and situation. In a club or bar, remind the audience to tip the bartenders. Thank the venue and the audience. Make sure they can tell who you are. Don't react to mistakes, except to try to cue the other players, if necessary. Most of them didn't notice the mistake, but will notice you grimacing. Never stop playing in the middle of a song. Tune your guitar off-line or in silent mode. Don't show off your hot licks between songs. If there is a big delay, you can play some quiet background music while someone talks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cherri Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Make sure you find the light switch before you let the bathroom door close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members machinegun78_2 Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Originally posted by Cassius Brilliant advice. I was guilty of this at our last gig... to EVERYONE in the audience, that was just the best show you've ever played...weather it was the most HORIBLE show you ever played.... you live and learn... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JBJ Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 judge your audience on every level ie what you play, how you act onstage, what you say between songs and basically how you compose yourself. don't be an ass ie always be nice to everyone. not too difficult unless you're an asshole but there are a good amount of them in bands so bearing that in mind. be nice to the bar staff, the punters, the security, the soundguys etc... and you'll have a much easier time. It's amazing how many guys i've seen who are absolutely {censored}, and are playing in dives but walk around as if everyone should thank god for their existence and they do tend to have {censored} attitudes to match. it's pretty easy to bring them down a peg or 12 but you shouldn't even have to. I absolutely despise bands who use the mic as a platform for talking down to people. have a bit more class than shouting: hey soundguy i need more guitar or saying: yeah we sound {censored}, it's not our fault the soundguys crap. 2 points on that one: not exactly making the soundguy want to make you sound good and there's only so bad a soundguy can make you sound, most of it's down to the band no matter who you want to blame it on. don't do stupid band or friend in jokes because no one else has a clue wtf the {censored} you are on about and watching people laugh at themselves isn't exactly hilarious in itself. even though we all want to hear ourselves above the rest of the band. no one else does. much better to be at the same level as everyone else and have compliments on the band as a whole than people saying yeah they were good but that bass player was far too loud etc... if you sing and don't play guitar, find something cool to do between instrumental breaks and solos because nothing makes you look more out of place than standing still not knowing where to look while slash 2 is rocking out to your left. it can be as simple as casually holding the mic stand and looking over the crowd or nodding at someone int he band. dancing or anything like that only works if you can pull it off or you're the happy mondays and everyone in the crowd will be too pilled up to even realise what you're doing. if you're going to talk in between songs make up a script. sounds gay? yup. on the other hand just about every good front man you'll see looks and sounds so natural at doing it because everything is well rehearsed even what they say between songs. it doesn't have to be verbatim but at least a general outline will do. same goes for posing/ practicing in front of the mirror. it might make you feel ridiculous but Mick Jagger et al do and have done it. I'd rather feel like a muppet for 5 or 10 minutes on my own and look great on stage than not bother and look like i dont belong there. It's almost like the gym. you might think it's only the losers who run or do anythign right in front of the mirrors but it promotes a better technique and it's the same for performing, you can see if you look nervous or akward holding your guitar a certain way, moving like this or singing like that etc... don't play anything out of your limits. we all want to be able to sing bohemian rhapsody and solo sultans of swing but not alot of people can. I'm constantly being moaned at from the band because i won't sing everything they want to do but at the end of the day, if I struggle too much to do it, it compromises me, the song and the band. there's no point doing that just to wind up doing a {censored}ty half assed version of an ac/dc tune or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Blackwatch Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 don't be an ass ie always be nice to everyone. Because you never know who you're talking to. Could be the owner of the club or one of his relatives..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JBJ Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 Originally posted by Blackwatch Because you never know who you're talking to. Could be the owner of the club or one of his relatives..... it's not even a case of watching your own back incase you say something to someone you shouldn't, it's just not cool to be a dick.... could be someone out just to have a good night who doesn't need someone who thinks he's hot {censored} because he can play a G chord being a {censored} to them.... etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members whiteroom Posted August 15, 2005 Members Share Posted August 15, 2005 I think you guys covered most of the important stuffHere's some things I learned from outdoor gigs. Amps can and will overheat. Plan accordingly. Take the guitar that stays in tune the best out in the heat or cold. (find out which one that is before the gig) You won't be able to see the led's on your pedals. Remember to turn them off. One water for every two drinks. Bring a flashlight. Strings rust quickly out in the heat. Remember dry 'em off between songs. Everything sounds different. (DUH!) Bring some sheet plastic if it's a "rain or shine" event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brian Krashpad Posted August 16, 2005 Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by ratthedd Refrain from asking questions like "Are we loud enough?", "How's the mix?", etc. It's the sound man's responsibility to get the mix and volume levels right and you have to trust them to do their job. Objection, assumes facts not in evidence. A goodly number of places I've played don't have sound people. In which case if you don't have a long cord or a wireless to listen to yourself during a sound check, asking how the levels are is a necessity. However, the way to do that is not to ask the entire audience. You'll get 15 different answers. Have a friend who is at least experienced in listening to bands (doesn't have to be trained, just have a good ear) out there, and ask that one person, off-mic. Oh yeah, and in the gigbag/go-box, the accessory that ALWAYS goes on top (unless you keep one on your person) is a flashlight (torch for you Limeys). Because you can't see any of the other stuff in there without it. BK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GCDEF Posted August 16, 2005 Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 We usually talk to the bar people or owner if he's there and ask what kind of levels they like. After sound check, we'll ask again if they were happy with the levels. Usually after the first set we'll check one more time. We also let them know to let us know if they want adjustments. We'll also check with people we know that come and see us regularly. We don't ask over the mic, but we do continually get feedback on the sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ratthedd Posted August 16, 2005 Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by JBJ if you sing and don't play guitar, find something cool to do between instrumental breaks and solos because nothing makes you look more out of place than standing still not knowing where to look while slash 2 is rocking out to your left. it can be as simple as casually holding the mic stand and looking over the crowd or nodding at someone int he band. dancing or anything like that only works if you can pull it off or you're the happy mondays and everyone in the crowd will be too pilled up to even realise what you're doing. That's what tambourines were invented for. I bought a tambourine, and a couple of egg shakers for the singers in the band so that they have something to do during the instrumental sections of the southern rock tunes we do. It's much more comfortable for a singer to have some prop to hang on to when they're not being the star of the moment--at least the instrumentalists all have something to hold, the singer has nothing but a mic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Narcosynthesis Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 plan everything you are going to do onstage in advance, from the setlists to having an idea of some banter to keep everyone amused work out in advance what order to play your songs, which songs you can keep playing and roll together without stopping, or which songs are really tiring for any one member - let them get an easier song next and check on the 'mood' of the songs, amd mix them up, you want to keep the audience interested and happy the whoel night, so dont play all your sadder songs in a row to destroy the mood, keep them mixed up to try and keep the audience going, writing out a set list makes sure you keep everything going, and all the members know what is coming next for example my band do a little intro song which we instantly roll into the first 'real' song, our start was a simple instrumental buildup type affair, where all the band played and the singer introduced us and set the scene (thanking previous bands and the like) then we launch into the first 'real' song. and then for the last few songs we always make sure to play the faster, happy, and most importantly, catchy and memorable songs and go out with a bang, leaving people humming the chorus and off to the merch table for a cd to listen to later David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Narcosynthesis Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 another thing, never let the audience know you have made a mistake, if something goes wrong and you start early or whatever, fix it in whatever way you need, but dont screw up your face, or turn to the band members and mouth sory at them, keep going and play like you did everything perfectly, and unless you completely destroyed the song, the audience probably wont notice i remember one of my bands songs has a break in the middle, where the drums keep going but everyone else stops, then starts again with the guitar, one night when we were playing i completely forgot it was me meant to be starting, so i just drew out the pause in the middle, then started like i always meant to, nobody knew any different and the rest of the song went well (with a few jokes on me afterwards) but none of the band reacted except a quick glance to remind me and the audience didnt really suspect a thing David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mr3lions Posted August 16, 2005 Members Share Posted August 16, 2005 Bar Owner: Great job guys, here's your money. Me: Thanks we love playing here. WHEN CAN WE COME BACK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hollow body Posted August 18, 2005 Members Share Posted August 18, 2005 Work the room between sets. If there's anyone there you know, or anyone you've made contact with while setting up or playing, schmooze them a little while taking your break. If possible, make a connection with a bartender while getting your drink, and tip him/her whether you're paying or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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