first show in the bar scene soon:D

[bobetman]

My college band and i are playing our first show on the bar scene next month and we're totally stoked! we've already played a few sets at school, small stuff...not too professional, but we're not totally clueless when it comes to playing live

we're an indie-prog-rock type band and we'll be playing at a hardcore venue with a few other bands...lets hope it goes well and we can score a few fans from the crowd:D

just wondering if you guys can supply a few small tips for playing small shows (amps, tech, what to bring, using pedals live etc)

anything is appreciated! thanks!

[Rusty G.]

If the facility has the ability, mic the guitar amps, drums, etc, and keep your stage volume within reason. I know, there's nothing like the sound of a guitar pushing air, but if you can't hear what your mates are playing, your timing will be off.

Have fun, and treat it professionally. Dress right, act right. . .and don't get involved drinking while you're playing.

Good luck!

[bobetman]

ive also had trouble with using a fuzz live before...couldnt hear it cut through the mix!

any tips to remedee that?

[Rusty G.]

ive also had trouble with using a fuzz live before...couldnt hear it cut through the mix!

any tips to remedee that?

Single Coil guitars might help. . .Teles....Rickenbackers. . .P-90's. They tend to have more of an edge to them than humbuckers guitars. Also, push the mid range tones with your amp. . .maybe a mid boost eq pedal or treble booster pedal (which will drive your amp into overdrive).

[Stratm69]

ive also had trouble with using a fuzz live before...couldnt hear it cut through the mix!

any tips to remedee that?

Stack it with a clean-set Tubescreamer. That may do the trick, more mids the better.

[bobetman]

havent had any luck stacking with my bad monkey overdrive...but i will boost the mids on my amps eq and see how that goes!

ever since i changed my big muff to a britbender ive had more luck cutting through but still..!

[jrjones]

ive also had trouble with using a fuzz live before...couldnt hear it cut through the mix!

any tips to remedee that?

Try overdrive instead ;)

[boldaslove1977]

If there are bands before you and band after you.. make sure you have your act together when it's time to set up. You are expected to e ready ASAP. That means you shouldn't be tuning new strings for the first time or putting together a crazy chain of pedals on the floor with a 1spot and no board. This is half the battle when you're sharing the stage.

Bring a backup guitar. Strings. Cables. Batteries. Picks. Make sure you have duct tape and a flashlight. Might seem obvious, but lots of guys don't come prepared. That being said... pack tightly... don't bring too much.

Keep wristbands in your bag. If it's a hot club and you're sweating your a$$ off.... you'll be happy you have them. I think I've used mine about 5 times ever... but each time it saved the gig for me.

You're probably not going to get a real sound check... you'll each get 20 seconds to play while the sound guy does some tweaking. So know where your levels are supposed to be on your amp/pedals. You're not going to have time to noodle. And do not play while the other guys are sound checking. The sound guy will kill you.

Make sure everyone has a set list. Don't take forever between songs. Lots of new bands (and one no-so-new bands) do that.

If its your first bar gig... don't drink. You want to be on your game to take it all in and learn as much as you can. Hopefully there will be many more to come...

Most of all... have fun. And if you're not having fun because things aren't going well... you still need to look like you're having fun... that's part of the job.

[bobetman]

thanks alot! thats great advice!

i was thinking of having a drink or two before going on to loosen up...calm the nerves a bit since this will be our first "professional" show...but youre right, if we want to get more shows its best to be serious and know what we're doing! drinking will come after:)

[sixstringslut]

Avoid greasy food before gig.
Don't stare at one chick too long (bf's hate that).
Whatever effects you are using...it is way too much, turn them down. Kick them off on the next song to be more effective when turned on again...less-is-more.

Welcome to show-biz, you are an actor/entertainer first. No one cares
if you are out of tune or your amp doesn't sound right. Have some stories ready to tell if you need to take time out to connect with audience and adjust things (dead air kills).

If your crowd is drinking...so should you (read on). Drinkers hate prudes, everyone wants to party with the band. Have some beer bottles filled with water ready if you are a light-weight like me (notify the owner/tenders first though...they will understand). We wont tell anyone , this is the oldest secret in the book.

Keep spares/backups other than guitar in the truck to minimize stage space. Good luck.

[boldaslove1977]

just fixed some crazy typos on my above post... damn auto-correct!!!

one other piece of advice... have someone videotape the show for you. you can learn a ton by watching yourself... not just about how you sound... but also how to act/look on stage.

[Chase743]

A lot of people covered the important stuff. (i.e. Don't get drunk, be prepared, bring back-ups, etc.).

One thing I would add is that it is very important to work the room after the show -- especially if you are building a following. Don't hide out backstage (if there is one) hoping that groupies will bang down the door (they won't). When you're getting started, it is important to talk to as many people as possible in the crowd and befriend them. Show them that you're cools guys that love music. It'll make it easier for them to come to your next show. Get their email addresses personally -- no one signs up for mailing lists without a nudge or two.

[Reincaster]

Manage your instrument volume. Vocals are king, they need to be on top and as clear as possible. Have a talk with each other and make sure that when you ask someone, or get asked to turn it down, don't get offended. Same with the drummer. Good drummers sound good at any volume. You've been playing a few times, so I'm sure you know this.

I second the have fun comment. I've seen bands having an off sounding night as far as vocals or slightly out of tune, but if they are having fun, then I can dig it!

[robare99]

Back the gain off a bit on your distortion pedal. Too much fuzz just ends up as mush. Plus, if your mids are scooped, bring them back a bit. It's now no longer the same tone as you have when you practice, but your with your band. Everything's works together or works against each other. That scooped tone that brings the br00talz in your bedroom might just vanish in the mix with the whole band. So you'll have to understand that instead of cranking it to cut through, adding back some mids will also fatten the sound.

Chorus does the same thing. I love chorus when I practice, but in my band, if I use chorus I disappear into the mix. No need to be crazy loud. Think of the band first, then yourself. Like others have said, you want the vocals out front, work with the soundguy. He should know his rig and what it can do.

Don't get drunk. You don't want to be "that band thats always really drunk" have fun and drink after the show. Be sure to get your gear out of there as quick as you can, have a planned spot to store all your gear. Dont drag your cabinets over the cordon if you can avoid it. Move the amp head separate from the cabinet so there's no chance of it toppling off. Make sure all your cords are good, fresh batteries if needed, spare pics, a spare guitar ready to go.

Then go an have fun!! Be sure you don't play the songs too fast, it can happen.

:thu:

[vicdeluca71]

WOW!! Really? Cant believe what I'm reading here,you guys musicians or business men.

OP,if your music is really good none of this advise matters

[robare99]

WOW!! Really? Cant believe what I'm reading here,you guys musicians or business men.



Yes.


Don't worry, there's always room for another group of amateurs, blasting away so loud you can't think, who can't hear themselves in the monitors because they are too loud. We just put some kick and a bit of vocals through the board. No point wasting headroom on a garbage can. The people in front of the amps complain its too loud. The people off axis say they want a bit more guitar, no one can hear the vocals.

We just cope for the set, damage control, if I brought up the rest of the band to match the levels, the room would be empty, because everyone would be outside, and believe me, it's happened before. shrug when the manager asks if we can turn down. I show them the only thing running is some kick & vocals. They band won't listen to me, no point getting upset, I just tell them "hey good job" at the end.



They just don't get invited back.


:shrugs:


There's lots of good advice in this thread, from people with a lot of experience. It sounds like you guys are on the right track. Hell, even asking for advice puts you miles ahead of some bands out there.


Good luck guys!!

;)

[Ogrekingdad]

WOW!! Really? Cant believe what I'm reading here,you guys musicians or business men.

OP,if your music is really good none of this advise matters

There's a helluva lot of Great Musicians playing in small bars across the world because they don't take the time to learn business fundamentals. Unless your a prodigy your going to need some good common sense, or have enough brains to ASK for help. Why do you think top bands have managers and promoters?

/kudos to OP

I'm a business owner and I have clients who own venues. No one wants to deal with unprofessional people, and that goes double for young people who think the world is just waiting for them to "break it open". I continously hear from them that they would rather work with someone with less talent that makes their lives easier than someone who's got "great potential" but is a total pain in the ...

[dspellman]

WOW!! Really? Cant believe what I'm reading here,you guys musicians or business men.

OP,if your music is really good none of this advise matters

OP, *all* of this advice matters, and it's all good advice (I'm actually a bit impressed). If you want to play at the same place twice, heed all of it.

More importantly, your reputation will proceed you; you'll find that the word on idiots gets around, and you won't be asked to play some venues even if you've never been there before.

If your music is really good and no one will pay you to play it at their venue, it's like the sound of a tree falling in the forest. If there's no one to hear, does it MAKE a sound?

[dspellman]

Oh. And never let anyone on the mike say, "This next song...."

[MrTAteMyBalls]

Oh. And never let anyone on the mike say, "This next song...."


I will correct that. I saw a band recently, who's singer would introduce each song as follows:

"This next song is a song."

Then the drummer would count off and they went. Hilarious, and awesome IMO.