Tips for a Successful Gig Part 1: Gig Behavior

I've been playing guitar for a long time, and playing gigs since I was 17 (this year I turn 50). The past few years I've been averaging around 200+ paying engagements per year, almost all small gigs. That seems like a lot, but I know some of my friends that play more than that, and have been doing so for many more years; I didnt always play this often. Still, it's a lot of gigs over the course of 33 years. There are lots of practical things you learn playing on a gig that aren't always written in instructional books or taught in private lessons or music school. These things can be just as important to having a successful gig - and to maintaining a successful career - as are your playing skills. Know and use them, and you should have no trouble getting gigs, which is what we all want.

Here's a list of some important things to remember:

Gig Behavior: Just Be Nice

1. Get there early. An hour before the hit time is usually a good rule of thumb. This allows you plenty of time for set-up, check volume levels, find the power outlets, and generally scope out the venue for issues. Too early is better than late.

2. Know the material. This seems obvious, but you'd be surprise how many musicians show up to a gig with a half-ass attitude toward the music. If you're playing a sub gig (espeically), try to know the songs inside out. There is no such thing as over-preparation. I'm not the best player in the world, but I prepare for every gig as hard as anyone. The other players ALWAYS appreciate this, and you will gain respect for it, and may get called again because of it.

3. Meet the owner and staff, be friendly, and treat them with respect. The people that work at the venue will remember you if you go out of your way to be nice, clean up after yourself, etc. They are working hard and deserve respect just as you do. Often they'll let the owner know that they like you, and you may get more gigs because of it. If it comes down to 2 acts, and one guy is a jerk, who do you think they're gonna call? Be sure to let the person in charge that night know who you are and ask if they have any concerns. Thank everyone when you leave.

4. Tune your instrument before you go on, during the show in silence, and don't noodle in between songs. This is a hard thing sometimes for guitar players; we're noodlers. But resist the urge. It looks and sounds unprofessional.

5. Dont drink or get high before the gig. Whatever you want to do after the gig is up to you. It's a job, and if you showed up to regular job drunk or high, you'd get canned. Duh.

6. Double check after you pack up that you have everything. You'd be amazed how many cables, stands, tuners, etc. get lost this way.

7. Dress up. This is just me, but its nice to see musicians who respect their audience enough to dress up in front of them. I kind of think that I should be dressed in such a way that I look different than the audience. People pay to see live music as well as hear it. This could mean dressing in a wild outfit for a rock gig, or dressing in a suit and tie for a jazz gig. Hard to be overdressed.

8. Respect the other players. Don't step on the other musicians. Listen when they solo and play supportively. Don't take a long solo break, especially if you're new. Don't try to show people up! It's ok to be play your best, but music should be a group endeavor, not a competition. A little playful back-and-forth is ok, but too much showing off is going to piss off the other players and doesn't look good to the audience. I say this as an unabashed ham; when I'm in a rock band I do a lot of audience interaction, running into the crowd, etc. But I try to do it within the context of the group, to interact with the other players as much as possible, and to stay out of the way when it's their turn to shine. In a jam session context, don't take 7 choruses for your solo, or intentionally try to one-up the next guy; play off of each other and encourage each other. The music will benefit and so will the audience. ALWAYS be complementary and accept complements with humility. Remember, no matter how good you are (or think you are), there's guys out there that can and will wipe the floor with you. And those guys are usually the most humble, supportive and complementary players you'll meet, even to average players like me.

If you have some tips and advice, please comment with them! I read this type of stuff and other musicians do too, and any advice we can get can only help. Thanks!

Please vist my website at www.tommein.com.

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