Took a hiatus from solo gigs about 5 years ago but looking to get back into it. Thanks for these videos Frank. Btw. Some of the dive bars I played in a t shirt IS dressing up. 😊
I always arrive at least an hour before start…after setting up (which only takes about 15-20 min) I spend the rest of the pre-gig mingling with the early crowd, ask for requests and generally just build a rapport. As I don’t have a sound guy, I’ll find someone that seems like they know music enough to let me know after the first song if the guitar/vocal balance and volume are appropriate. Then, I always publicly thank my impromptu sound guy. My biggest tip of the night often comes from that guy.
Love your vid! I’m a seasoned musician that played in bands all my life, and now starting to do solo but even with that experience it’s different with solo gigs. Brett.
Fantastic video, spot on. Many of those suggestions can and should apply to almost any employee who wants to get ahead, be taken seriously and be professional.
Thank you for the information. I follow most all of these tips and find them to be most helpful. I have also gotten many referrals due to presenting myself in a professional manner in all aspects. Sometimes as you well know, the volume can be a moving target. I think it’s very important to anticipate for instance switching back and forth from fingerpicking to strumming with a pick to adjust accordingly. I’ve personally blown this a couple times 😊. Thanks again. Good sensible reminders.
Great stuff! New to your page. The sound volume is very important to me. My motto for sound is "be heard not loud" I have been solo giging for a few years now. Booking still seems so cumbersome to me. I'v created spead sheets tracking contact info and perfered methods of contact from all the different venues I play at. The human factor is so inconsistent, I am not sure if building the spread sheet was worth it. I am willing to deal with it because I love it so much. Am I just being unrealistic that the process can be smooth?
I'm pretty new at performing, but these all seem like good points. Being a teacher helps me because I am good at doing everything in my power to avoid disaster!
Showing up early for a gig also gives you the psychological advantage with the crowd. They will automatically assume you are part of the establishment when they walk in and see you already set up.(for what it’s worth.)😏
Spare gear is critical. I keep an extra amp in the car, mics, cables, strings, batteries, even a “woody” type sound hole pickup in my gig bag, (pickups can and do go bad). Paranoid, maybe. But like you, I don’t care for excuses. I’ve had to announce that I was taking a 5 minute break to change gear but I haven’t had to tell anyone I couldn’t finish a job. Good video.
Based on my own experience and self reflection, I can't drink at all before a gig. And this is just from years smoking weed, drinking trying to find a balance, never really hitting the sweet spot. The only thing that works for me is drink water. Alcohol after I am done and paid, if that, usually not until I get home, and even then I'm probably tired and just ready to go to bed. Reading this makes me feel like I'm really old. I do think that I probably talk too much between songs. A lot of times I will tell a quick tale of the history of the song. I might need to scale that back a bit. The audience probably doesn't care about the session players, producer, or the gear used as much as I do LOL
Make sure you tune up two guitars one spare just in case a sting breaks or something else goes wrong spare batteries are always a good idea get some body to watch your equipment if you use the bathroom or if you’re alway from your stuff
In a perfect world I would have a working band going as well but so hard to make it work. Personalities, schedules and the fact that venues don’t pay well makes it really tough
Took a hiatus from solo gigs about 5 years ago but looking to get back into it. Thanks for these videos Frank.
Btw. Some of the dive bars I played in a t shirt IS dressing up. 😊
You are very welcome.. haha yes that is true. I've played my share of dives as well and you are right. LOL
Great advice as always, the Don't Drink advice is priceless. When I went from "Costumer" to "Employee" , My shows improved dramatically.
Very good call … thanks for sharing w us
I always arrive at least an hour before start…after setting up (which only takes about 15-20 min) I spend the rest of the pre-gig mingling with the early crowd, ask for requests and generally just build a rapport. As I don’t have a sound guy, I’ll find someone that seems like they know music enough to let me know after the first song if the guitar/vocal balance and volume are appropriate. Then, I always publicly thank my impromptu sound guy. My biggest tip of the night often comes from that guy.
Smart. Thanks for sharing with us all
Love your vid! I’m a seasoned musician that played in bands all my life, and now starting to do solo but even with that experience it’s different with solo gigs. Brett.
I really appreciate the comment. Yeah for sure solo gigs is its own sub category lol .. you will do great I’m sure
Frank, if you ever come to Australia…drop in and see me and I’ll set you up for gigs in my mountain location and coast. Brett.
Fantastic video, spot on.
Many of those suggestions can and should apply to almost any employee who wants to get ahead, be taken seriously and be professional.
Thanks so much
Thank you for the information. I follow most all of these tips and find them to be most helpful. I have also gotten many referrals due to presenting myself in a professional manner in all aspects.
Sometimes as you well know, the volume can be a moving target. I think it’s very important to anticipate for instance switching back and forth from fingerpicking to strumming with a pick to adjust accordingly. I’ve personally blown this a couple times 😊.
Thanks again. Good sensible reminders.
Thank you:):)
Great stuff! New to your page. The sound volume is very important to me. My motto for sound is "be heard not loud" I have been solo giging for a few years now. Booking still seems so cumbersome to me. I'v created spead sheets tracking contact info and perfered methods of contact from all the different venues I play at. The human factor is so inconsistent, I am not sure if building the spread sheet was worth it. I am willing to deal with it because I love it so much. Am I just being unrealistic that the process can be smooth?
nothing in this business is ever smooth lol. just hang in there :)
I'm pretty new at performing, but these all seem like good points. Being a teacher helps me because I am good at doing everything in my power to avoid disaster!
Hahaha very good:) those skills will come in handy
Hey, cheers Frank, sound solid advice, thanks man
Any time!
100% best advice. Thanks, Frank.
My pleasure. All the best to u
You really nailed it 👍🏻
Thanks!! And thanks for posting:)
Showing up early for a gig also gives you the psychological advantage with the crowd. They will automatically assume you are part of the establishment when they walk in and see you already set up.(for what it’s worth.)😏
Couldn’t agree more. It just gives you that ability to mark out the turf so to speak. I personally have to be early . But i am slightly neurotic lol
Spare gear is critical. I keep an extra amp in the car, mics, cables, strings, batteries, even a “woody” type sound hole pickup in my gig bag, (pickups can and do go bad). Paranoid, maybe. But like you, I don’t care for excuses. I’ve had to announce that I was taking a 5 minute break to change gear but I haven’t had to tell anyone I couldn’t finish a job. Good video.
Absolutely. Same here been lucky all these years. Well there was the one time I showed up to gig with empty guitar case but …nevermind lol
I thought drummers were the only ones that forget things, like their snare, kick drum pedal, etc. I forgot one of my keyboards once, oh well.
Good vid, Frank. You are a lot smarter than you look.
Wow, thanks…I think lol
good stuff. a lot of musicians really shoot themselves in their foot (feet?) by not following these "common sense" rules
Thanks so much. Have a good one
thank you.
my pleasure
Definitely don’t drink you can get forgetful what you’re doing make mastakes keep a clear head even if you’re nervous love the vids frank 😀🎸
Very true!
Based on my own experience and self reflection, I can't drink at all before a gig. And this is just from years smoking weed, drinking trying to find a balance, never really hitting the sweet spot. The only thing that works for me is drink water. Alcohol after I am done and paid, if that, usually not until I get home, and even then I'm probably tired and just ready to go to bed. Reading this makes me feel like I'm really old.
I do think that I probably talk too much between songs. A lot of times I will tell a quick tale of the history of the song. I might need to scale that back a bit. The audience probably doesn't care about the session players, producer, or the gear used as much as I do LOL
Half the complaints I get in my comments is that I talk too much … I feel ya! Thanks for the comment
Make sure you tune up two guitars one spare just in case a sting breaks or something else goes wrong spare batteries are always a good idea get some body to watch your equipment if you use the bathroom or if you’re alway from your stuff
Good call
Thanks for the tips.
My pleasure: I hope they help
Well done!
Thanks so much
Pack an "oh shit" bag.
Aka: "oh shit i broke a string"
"Oh shit my cable died"
"Oh shit I need an adapter"
Makes a GREAT gift for musician friends
Love it!
Great tips!
Thank u!
Playing in a group is better but ist really hard playing on your own if do you must have big balls ha haha
In a perfect world I would have a working band going as well but so hard to make it work. Personalities, schedules and the fact that venues don’t pay well makes it really tough
Also, avoid wigs.
Lolol I’ll try