It's fricken out here

[Bluto]

Been a reader of the site for awhile now and wanted to tell "Everyone" that your tips and experiences have been extremely beneficial. I do have a question however; minor it may be and didn't know where to put it. Since there are allot of "First GIG" posts here figure I might as well try too.

My Band was offered our first Gig and which we accepted for free just to gain experience and get out name out. The Gig however is outside late next month were we will be supplying the music for a BBQ/Bon Fire event. My question is does anyone have any experience playing in the cold weather that we should keep in mind. I realize our guitars will need to acclimate to the weather to hopefully prevent them from going out of tune constantly.

I don’t foresee the weather being anything close to freezing but could easily be in the mid-low 40s since it is an evening event.

[SolidFooting]

Don't count on playing a lot of 16th notes. Cold fingers means less speed and dexterity. Try to come up with some sort of plan to keep them warm.

[HolmeBass]

I find cold gigs tough. If you bundle up too much, your hands get cold. Go breathable layers and warm pockets to put your hands in. You're axes are going to go out of tune- even if you let it acclimate, which will make your axe very cold to the touch, when you play it you'll heat up the strings and the tuning will change. It's a struggle no matter what to keep things in tune. But if you keep warm it can still be fun playing, no doubt. Have fun with it.

[electracoyote]

"Uncomfortable" comes to mind.

"Outdoor space heaters" also come to mind.

[Munjibunga]

I don't like cold gigs either. If it gets down into the 60s, my fingers look like this:

[Buster Brown]

Played a bunch of gigs in October and a few in November (outside) in the early 80s.........notice I said in the early 80s.....have never done it again since then.

Fingers get cold....very slow to respond......

Don't get me wrong here. I'm in favor of you going the job for the exposure. The operative word being "exposure"......wear your long underwear.....

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Bluto

I don’t foresee the weather being anything close to freezing but could easily be in the mid-low 40s since it is an evening event.

Outside BBQ in freezing weather?

Uh....no.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I don't like cold gigs either. If it gets down into the 60s, my fingers look like this:

Who does your nails?

[Never_grew_up]

Big par can light rig. A dozen or so 1k's front & back should keep you toasty as long as the wind's not too bad.

[pbassnut]

Originally Posted by Bluto

Been a reader of the site for awhile now and wanted to tell "Everyone" that your tips and experiences have been extremely beneficial. I do have a question however; minor it may be and didn't know where to put it. Since there are allot of "First GIG" posts here figure I might as well try too.

My Band was offered our first Gig and which we accepted for free just to gain experience and get out name out. The Gig however is outside late next month were we will be supplying the music for a BBQ/Bon Fire event. My question is does anyone have any experience playing in the cold weather that we should keep in mind. I realize our guitars will need to acclimate to the weather to hopefully prevent them from going out of tune constantly.

I don’t foresee the weather being anything close to freezing but could easily be in the mid-low 40s since it is an evening event.

I would personally balk at it. You're going to have a hard time playing your best because you'll never quite be able to get "warmed up" and you will not be able to generate any hand sweat to help you glide up and down the fingerboard. It's probably going to be an unpleasant experience unless they provide some kind of on-stage heat. Most of my full time playing days were in Wisconsin. We used to play a lot of outdoor shows ... particularly in the Spring which is a dicey proposition in Wisconsin where it is just as likely to be 50 as it is to be 70 degrees in May. 50 degrees is perfectly comfortable to hang out in, but not to play in ... particularly if it's breezy.

[DblG]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I don't like cold gigs either. If it gets down into the 60s, my fingers look like this:

That's what my late uncles hands looked like. Arthritis sucks.

[Buxtehude]

I've used fingerless gloves to good effect at outdoor gigs.

[metallicafan18]

get some space heaters! and those little pocket warmers are nice to have so you can stick your hands in your pockets when not playing.

[Thor]

Tell one of your friends bands you got this great intro gig for them. No money or anything but after all, the beer and BBQ is free. Right? Just like the music.

Then hang out, drink the free beer, eat the free food, watch your buddies band work their @rses off loading in and out and freezing their @rses off while playing while you stay nice and toasty. Offer them a buck or two to help defray the gas expenses and gear wear and tear. Just so they know you are supporting the music. Tell then how great they were after the show and they are now going to booked once a month at the same pay until spring.

That sounds like the best plan to me.

[Chuck_Hill]

Wear gloves as much as you can before playing, and during breaks.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Who does your nails?

It's supposed to be French white.

Originally Posted by DblG

That's what my late uncles hands looked like. Arthritis sucks.

Fortunately, that's not my hand. My arthritis is in my knee and shoulder, but liveable.

[TomB]

Originally Posted by Buxtehude

I've used fingerless gloves to good effect at outdoor gigs.

+1. A pair of well broken-in bike gloves helps.

[Bluto]

Yep I'm gonna freeze, but this being our first gig I'm actually excited. I'm thinking under armor, hand warms and lots of moving around. Maybe go wireless and play by the fire and let the guitards hang out up front and freeze. Other the my bass going out of tune is there anything else I should keep in mind i.e. Amp, PA etc or should they be ok?

[Marko5657]

I hope there’s not too much guitar work (far more susceptible to going out of tune when it’s cold), as they’re gonna sound like crap, which will make the whole band sound like crap.

I'd think twice about doing it.

[Sizlack]

Wireless and go play near the bonfire