Just got a call from the lead singer, and he told me we have our first gig. It's a small club and we have to do a 2 hours worth of music. That's not a problem. Just very nervous. Can you guys give me some tips.
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First Gig
- Thread starter ken897568
- Start date
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
Anyway, just kidding. Well, i moved your thread... but... ah whatever.
Have the TIME OF YOUR LIFE on stage. You'll forget about the people in the crowd, but they'll be drawn to you. The first thing people say to me after a gig is "It was SO much fun watching you play" which means the world to me.
Obviously, before that make sure you know your stuff. Memorize tunes asap. internalize them and really FEEL them.
I just can't stress enough that even if you are nervous, don't let the crowd know it. Jump around, dance, sing along to the songs. The crowd will LOVE it, and soon you'll be addicted to being on stage.
Have the TIME OF YOUR LIFE on stage. You'll forget about the people in the crowd, but they'll be drawn to you. The first thing people say to me after a gig is "It was SO much fun watching you play" which means the world to me.
Obviously, before that make sure you know your stuff. Memorize tunes asap. internalize them and really FEEL them.
I just can't stress enough that even if you are nervous, don't let the crowd know it. Jump around, dance, sing along to the songs. The crowd will LOVE it, and soon you'll be addicted to being on stage.
Work with the nervousness. Your first gig is like riding a roller coaster. It's terrifying, and fun as hell! That wears off all too soon. Enjoy it for what it is. Make sure you're practiced, remember to breathe (don't over play), and have a blast!
One thing to bear in mind that I've learned over 20 some odd years of playing in front of people; No one notices or cares if you screw something up. They all think you're superman, so don't sweat a few clams here or there.
One more thing; Nervous people that have a drink to calm their nerves tend to way over do it. Drink as many as they buy you after you're done playing, but be mindful of your intake before you hit the stage.
One thing to bear in mind that I've learned over 20 some odd years of playing in front of people; No one notices or cares if you screw something up. They all think you're superman, so don't sweat a few clams here or there.
One more thing; Nervous people that have a drink to calm their nerves tend to way over do it. Drink as many as they buy you after you're done playing, but be mindful of your intake before you hit the stage.
Move around, be happy, and don't stare at your fretboard all night.
It's OK to mess up. Shrug it off and keep going. Do not, under any circumstances, stop playing.
Make eye contact with the hottest girl in the audience.
It's OK to mess up. Shrug it off and keep going. Do not, under any circumstances, stop playing.
Make eye contact with the hottest girl in the audience.
I get that one a lot myself, but mostly because I tend to drool and make stoopid faces.
Yeah, I guess with a face like Marks, it's bound to happen a lot.......
If you're not having fun, the crowd won't have fun; so remember why you joined a band - Fun!
Make sure you have some kind of set list. No one enjoys watching a band stand around bickering about what's next. Keep the momentum up.
Don't noodle around on your instrument between songs. Share that advice with your bandmates.
This will sound silly, but a time will come when you'll realize its importance: Take a leak before you play (especially if you indulge in a few beers before show time). And keep your indulging to a minimum until after the show.
And, again, have fun!
Make sure you have some kind of set list. No one enjoys watching a band stand around bickering about what's next. Keep the momentum up.
Don't noodle around on your instrument between songs. Share that advice with your bandmates.
This will sound silly, but a time will come when you'll realize its importance: Take a leak before you play (especially if you indulge in a few beers before show time). And keep your indulging to a minimum until after the show.
And, again, have fun!
...and try to #2 before you leave for the venue. Not much sucks more than pooping at a bar.
That's great advice and I'm going to expand on it a little bit: Forget about mistakes as quickly as you can. Thinking about them will only cause you to make more mistakes. My brother the motorcyclist says that when you're riding and there's only one tree around as far as the eye can see, if you watch it, you'll hit it. Think ahead, not backward.
And relax and have fun.
KO
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
Nothing beats thorough preparation. Practice what you have to practice - if you are *ready* for the show, and you *know* it, everything else is gravy.
I remember my first gig. I was scared and I actually hated the time I was on stage. Afterward, and I mean almost immediately, I was thrilled. I was hooked. Like a drug. I needed to get back on stage asap.
Just try to relax as much as you can and remember, it will all be over soon.
Have fun!
Just try to relax as much as you can and remember, it will all be over soon.
Have fun!
Drink allot ..I mean heavy, get sloppy drunk. This way if you can still play and mess up at least you have an excuse. This also allows you to be free and not care and to rock out 
jk
be prepared,relax, look like your are having fun and don't worry over a clam... live it up. Good Luck!
jk
be prepared,relax, look like your are having fun and don't worry over a clam... live it up. Good Luck!
All good points, but especially about forgetting clams, keep playing NO MATTER WHAT, and take a crap before you get to the show. That advice is just gold!
And if you're band mates get upset about some clams or problems with how a song went, just tell them to chill out, it's only music, and that no one died. It's all good.
And if you're band mates get upset about some clams or problems with how a song went, just tell them to chill out, it's only music, and that no one died. It's all good.
