Gigging Rules

Philbiker · #1 10-17-2008, 08:01 AM

Shortly before my current R&R band's first gig, I presented my three rules for playing live. I've lived by these for decades, they've never let me down. I don't remember where I got them from or if I just made them up (doubtful). Here they are:

(1) Always be ready!
(2) No Noodling!
(3) Never ask "are you ready?" - see rule number 1.

Think they are good? What are your rules?

Phalex · #2 10-17-2008, 08:04 AM

(4) Leave the drama with your S/O at home!

DudeWheresMy182 · #3 10-17-2008, 08:06 AM

(5) Have fun, but not tooooooo much fun, unless that is the crazy acrobatic style your band does!

artisan1967 · #4 10-17-2008, 08:06 AM

(5) have fun & enjoy yourself--damn beaten to it

(6) don't drink too much

DudeWheresMy182 · #5 10-17-2008, 08:17 AM

(7) Solo only when appropriate

(i say this cause i believe rule 2 applies to between songs and before starting the first song)

tZer · #6 10-17-2008, 08:26 AM

8) Try to look like you enjoy what you are doing - even better, REALLY enjoy what you are doing. Hell, you're being paid to PLAY - that should make anyone happy, right?

No one wants to look at the stage and see a bunch of sad-sacks looking like they're being forced to play. Don't be afraid to make eye contact and put a smile on your face.

Throw this rule out if you're in some sort of angry/emo/otherwise emotionally bereft band.

LaughingGroove · #7 10-17-2008, 08:31 AM

9.) Go pee before you get on stage. I'm sure most of us have went on stage and 2 or 3 songs into it thought, oh man, can we speed up the tempo.

rllefebv · #8 10-17-2008, 10:07 AM

10) Always be sure that there are at least 2 PBR's within easy reach of the drummer...

I swear, if I hear 'Drummer Needs A Beer' midway through the second set tonight, my headstock is going through the kick-drum!!!

-robert

Slax · #9 10-17-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rllefebv

10) Always be sure that there are at least 2 PBR's within easy reach of the drummer...

I swear, if I hear 'Drummer Needs A Beer' midway through the second set tonight, my headstock is going through the kick-drum!!!

-robert

Alcoholic?

11) If you have a mic, don't try talking to the crowd the same time someone else is.

wnelson · #10 10-17-2008, 10:52 AM

having fun is an obvious rule,however thier are certain things a band must do to create a smooth show and good performance

our rules :

1) make sure you coordinate what everyone is wearing.
i know it sounds silly...but my band is big on stage presence...
i once watched a band where the singer and guitarist were both goth out (all black/make-up/fishnets) but the bassist was wearing a beach shirt/shorts and a gilligan style hat

.......it looked awful and took away from the band imo

2) always help the drummer set up and break down....drummers have the hardest time setting up...even if they pre-set up on the side stage....everyone has to work as a team or you waste time and sound guys will chew you ass out if your pussy footing around.

3)two drink minimum before playing....take the edge off...but dont ruin the performance.....i once played in a band where our lead guitarist got so drunk that in the middle of a song he took off the stage to piss and throw up......horrible show that night for us, because of him

4) do not do ''meet and greet'' until all equipment is off stage and packed properly....the next band is ready to get gear on stage...and everyone is busting ass to move stuff off but then you notice one of your band mates in the crowd with his girl or whatever chatting it up and your like ***!

anyway,after years of playing live shows these are the few rules that have help me and my bands.
cheers

jaywa · #11 10-17-2008, 11:00 AM

PLEASE do not play along to the break music. Please. Please. Totally bush league.

Also, the time to put on new strings is 3-5 DAYS (not HOURS) before the gig. Nothing kills the flow of a show like stopping every two songs to tune.

casualmadness · #12 10-17-2008, 11:12 AM

Don't decide halfway through a song that you can't/don't want to sing backing vox and then motion for the bass player to do your part.

Yes, this happened to me. Several years ago, a club gig in Nashville. Probably around 300-400 people. We had a song where there were two backing vox parts. The guitard did one (the one that was more in the spotlight

) and I did the lesser one...at his insistance btw.
Anyway, about a minute into the damn song I notice I'm not hearing his vox so I look over only to see him motioning at me to do his part.

Luckily, I caught it right away so it turned out be be a very minor hickup that was hardly noticable. And the crowd didn't know that I was singing his part. So it all worked out. But he's still an idiot.

standupright · #13 10-17-2008, 11:14 AM

noodling has got to be one of my biggest irritants....drives me crazy

NJL · #14 10-17-2008, 11:19 AM

No text messaging during tunes!!! LOL hahaha

Philbiker · #15 10-17-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnelson

2) always help the drummer set up and break down....drummers have the hardest time setting up...even if they pre-set up on the side stage....everyone has to work as a team or you waste time and sound guys will chew you ass out if your pussy footing around.

I like this one. Generally the bass player has the easiest set-up, but perhaps the heaviest pieces if you have heavy cabinets. If you don't use many pedals (I use two) it's a snap. Drums are mostly light (except metal), but bulky and there is so much to bring. I always help with the drums and PA.

kelleysdad · #16 10-17-2008, 11:49 AM

Don't refuse to play a particular song you have rehearsed. A friend of mine had a band that would work out new material and when it came time to play it at a gig,one of the guidards wouldn’t do it. It really made everyone else look bad besides the wasted time learning it.

Old Cane · #17 10-17-2008, 01:46 PM

I only have a couple of rules that have served me well over the last 35 years:

-make sure you're getting paid

-don't let the drummer handle the money (see above rule)

-it's better to be asked to turn up than to turn down

-don't marry the singer

-don't let the drummer marry the singer (see above rule)

-know what key it's in before you start

-if you sit in for a set make sure the rig you are using doesn't belong to one of those guys that turns the amp to 11 and "controls" his volume on the guitar/bass

-if you let somebody sit in make sure they don't like to play on 11 (it's hard to find someone to recone speakers on a Sunday anywhere in Utah)

-don't let anyone sit in (see above rule)

jimmy rocket · #18 10-17-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnelson

2) always help the drummer set up and break down....drummers have the hardest time setting up...even if they pre-set up on the side stage....everyone has to work as a team or you waste time and sound guys will chew you ass out if your pussy footing around.

+1 no one ever appreciates how much stuff a drummer has to carry, set-up, break down, and carry away. I've always found myself helping the drummer in this regard, and I feel like it pays off later locking in while playing. There's a certain camaraderie built.

Stumbo · #19 10-17-2008, 02:02 PM

10 commandments of gigging
10 commandments if gigging

Thunderthumbs73 · #20 10-17-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Shortly before my current R&R band's first gig, I presented my three rules for playing live. I've lived by these for decades, they've never let me down. I don't remember where I got them from or if I just made them up (doubtful). Here they are:

(1) Always be ready!
(2) No Noodling!
(3) Never ask "are you ready?" - see rule number 1.

Think they are good? What are your rules?

-Don't say anything negative about anyone/anything while on stage. The mic picks up, or potentially picks up much more sound than you think it does.
-If you messed up or someone else messed up, don't give the "I messed up face" or don't give anyone else the "you messed up face."

In both cases, save these issues/items/things for OFF stage!!!