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First gig in a lifetime is coming!!! I'm scared!!!

#41
bassinplace said:
No there isn't. There's only as much or as little "to it" as a person wants there to be. If he's in it for fun, so be it! Have fun!
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I disagree and maintain my position. There is a certain amount of work you have to put into performing.

After you have put in the time and the work it is fun and you will have fun.

You don't put in the work, you might find yourself in "train wreck" land and that will not be much fun.

blue
 
#42
Relax, practice. and know the songs as much as possible. Do an equipemnt check before the day of the gig to make sure your equipment and cables etc work. repair or replace as needed. Preparation is the key. When you hit, just enjoy the experience and go for it. You'll be fine. And it's good to be a little nervous. I've been playing for 41 years and just before I go on I feel something but it's nothing to worry about.
 
#43
Relax enjoy! It's only Rock and Roll. Seriously take a deep breath and dive in, mistakes will be made don't make the face and no one will know and for Pete's sake don't argue or discuss mistakes on stage save it for rehearsal. Dress the part, what ever works for you and your style of music. Be sure to bring extra strings, batteries, back up bass if you have one, a DI in case your amp dies and anything else you think you may need. Be prepared what can happen will happen! Have fun and a full report once it's over!
 
#44
My advice is don't have a rehearsal the day before. The last should be two days before. Just like you really shouldn't study the night before an exam, it tires you and clouds your brain with too much thought. Take a day off and run at it with a fresh mind.


You will end up playing more than 25 songs, you will have to play some twice because the folks will want more!
 
#48
The show is on 1st september... next saturday!! 4pm-6pm. You'll have to wait a little more!

The drummer told us that some folks he knows will put on a real stage-like with roof top... They will publicize the show... (it's a small village, 2 hours away from big city, everybody knows everybody, a music show in this area is a big thing!) We will attend 50-60 viewers maybe more!! O my o mY :eek:

rust_preacher said:
Usually the gig goes well if the last rehearsal goes down the tubes. Good luck!
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Yesterday night was last rehearsal! :D Went so great! I use advices I got here as I were doing that last rehearsal... SHEETLESS! Just my song list near pedalboard with cheats.

I was playing my way, feeling, not counting too much, I was smiling and enjoying myself. I made a lot of mistake nothing dramatic (the worst was when I missed half a solo when I was way too much in my low groove missing the solo cue) always going forward without freaking. I advise them that I will make a lot of mistakes; the told me some quick advices about how to cope with mistakes. No new stuff was learned there; I smile and thank them :cool: We were rocking solid yesterday!! This family better get ready to rock!!

Singer nearly never comment. We got an email this morning; Nice jam! We're not 100% perfect but it's enough to make them rock!!

I keep you informed! Rock'n roll! :bassist:
 
#50
Dammit, now I have the Jeopardy theme stuck in my head. lol

Bass, sounds like you're well prepared for the show. The way you described yourself at rehearsal is a great place to be... relaxed and having fun. You'll do great!

I'll pass on another little tidbit I've learned... don't rely on the venue to do the promotion. I've played with groups at venues that said "We'll take care of the marketing" and ended up playing for an audience of TWO PEOPLE. There are little things you can do to create buzzzzzz... whip up a quick flyer to post around town (like on street poles) and you could go into businesses and ask them if you could put a flyer in a window. If you're respectful and nice, chances are good that they'll let you... but if they don't, don't get angry, just be nice and move on. :)

You could also post said flyer on Facebook if you can get it in a digital format... I whipped up the flyer below for an upcoming event with my gospel band and posted it to my FB page, tagged everyone in the band, etc.

You can also create email lists, group text messages, even just pass the word to your mom... there's a lot of little things you can do that don't cost anything! And the more people your band brings in, the happier venues are and they'll have you back. Bars don't care where people come from, as long as they're spending money. Don't be afraid to be shameless with self promotion!

:bassist:

5sg.
 

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#51
Bass_Band said:
Hi Rockers!

I'm about to perform live for the first time. The gig will be really smooth; 25-30 persons on a family party (drummer's family). I play with lead guitar, signer/rythm guitar and drummer who all have experience ++ on gigs. I'm playing for 5 months with thoses guys; they say my play is much much better (I practice hard) but I'm scared anyway!! :help:

We're gonna play 25 songs, I'll have a lectren for 4-5 song that I struggle more with (singer and lead guit will get one to). It's no big deal since we're doing this for free; purely to break the ice as a band.

The show is septembre first and we have 2 rehearsal left . How should I spend my time practicing? (my weak spot? all the song? My strongs ones to build confidence...). Any advices for this first gig? All advice would be really appreciate!

Rock'n roll! :bassist:
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Sounds exciting. Go with the edge and have a good time. You're going to make mistakes. Make 'em good ones.

As far as practicing, I would start every song, and go through the rough ones all the way. Just have fun. Once you drop a clam, it's gone. Enjoy them.
 
#53
alecduncan said:
Good luck, man! I'm addicted to live performance and it's easily my favorite aspect of music. When I started off, I was glued to my fretboard and I probably came across as really awkward. Something that got me away from feeling so insecure was to look at the other guitar player's fretboards, or maybe even at the drummer. Your playing will still sync up with your head, and it really, really helps to detach yourself in a live situation. After a few practices of doing that I was able to look straight ahead at me and still remain focused.

And despite what some grumps say, there is no reason to get into music if you're not enjoying yourself.

Also:



I can't stress enough how accurate this is.
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Every practice our band has before a gig usually ends up bad, like we have not played in months, but the gig always turns out great...
 
#57
Bass_Band said:
Hi Rockers!

I'm about to perform live for the first time. The gig will be really smooth; 25-30 persons on a family party (drummer's family). I play with lead guitar, signer/rythm guitar and drummer who all have experience ++ on gigs. I'm playing for 5 months with thoses guys; they say my play is much much better (I practice hard) but I'm scared anyway!! :help:

We're gonna play 25 songs, I'll have a lectren for 4-5 song that I struggle more with (singer and lead guit will get one to). It's no big deal since we're doing this for free; purely to break the ice as a band.

The show is septembre first and we have 2 rehearsal left . How should I spend my time practicing? (my weak spot? all the song? My strongs ones to build confidence...). Any advices for this first gig? All advice would be really appreciate!

Rock'n roll! :bassist:
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just dont smoke out good way to choke, well for me anyways LOL. When i first played in front of people I tended to pick out someone on the dance floor and pretty much concentrated on them instead of the croud. Now i can be up in front of thousands and love it.
 
#59
alecduncan said:
You know, come to think of it, your live debut will be way better than mine. My band played three songs and we sounded terrible. You guys have 25 tries to wow the audience! Hope you have fun.
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But I guess you were not a grumpy old middle-aged man like me when you do it!! I wish I discover my passion for bass playing before...

Rock'n roll! :bassist:
 

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