|
|
Playing
in a band is about more than making good music. After all, even though
we say we play music, we call it the music business. In
order to be successful, you'll need to be business-like in your approach
to playing live. What follows are the basics of approaching live performance
in a business-like manner. Learn these simple guidelines and you stand
a much better chance of being asked back to the club you're about to
storm.
A band
leader once offered this sage advice: "if you can show up on time,
stay in tune and not get too drunk, you'll play as often as you want."
While it's not quite that simple, these are three things that are of
paramount importance so let's look at them first.
Be
on Time
This is a no-brainer. Show up to the gig no later than load-in time.
If possible, leave for the gig somewhat early in case of traffic, car
trouble or a hold-up at your favorite convenience store. Fill up your
tank before you head out on a long drive so you don't run out of gas
on that long, lonely road. If you get to the gig early, always check
with the staff before loading in. Sometimes there are strict times set
aside for loading equipment.
Stay
in Tune
Another no-brainer. If you don't have a tuner, buy one now. At the very
least, tune before each set. If possible, run your tuner as part of
your rig so you can check tuning between songs if need be. It won't
matter how fast you can play, or how many bassists you can sound like
if your G string is always a quarter step flat.
Stay
Sober
Or, at the very least, relatively so. If you want to party with your
friends and get sloppy drunk, invite them over to your basement and
play/drink to your heart's content. But if you're playing for an audience,
they didn't come to see you make a fool of yourself. And your band mates
aren't going to be impressed with the way you missed every chorus of
every song. Unless they're drunk, too. In which case you're in the wrong
band.
Once
you've committed yourself to the three keys, as I call them, you can
move on to the next items.
Have
Transportation
Your car should not be on its last legs, leaving you (and others) to
worry about whether you can actually make it to the gig. Also, it never
hurts to have some brake fluid, transmission fluid, a quart or two of
oil, etc. in case something happens at 2 in the morning. You do want
to get home, don't you?
Maintain
Your Gear
Your bass, amp and accessories are your tools. You wouldn't expect a
carpenter to show up at your house with faulty tools. Why should you
show up to a gig with sub-par equipment? If anything is broken, fix
it. If it needs maintenance, get it done. No excuses. This is your livelihood.
Get
Your Gig Bag Together
A gig bag holds all your cords, spare parts, strings, etc. If you don't
have one already, get one and fill it up. If you aren't sure what you
need, read The
Well-equipped Gig Bag.
Be
Nice
You might think it's cool to have a snotty attitude with your friends.
And if they'll tolerate it without breaking your nose, no problem. But
the staff at clubs, concert halls, etc., aren't your friends. They don't
think you're cool. They see twenty or thirty bands a month and, believe
me, you probably don't impress them. (They can be very jaded, ok? It
isn't always your fault.) Treat staff courteously. Use please, thank
you, may I, could you help me and other respectful phrases. You and
your band have a much better chance of being asked back for a future
gig if you learn to treat people with respect - even if they don't deserve
it.
Do
What the Boss Tells You
And do it without argument. Set the drums up in the bathroom? Sure,
no problem. Turn all the amps down? OK, how's this? First and foremost,
you have to please the person handing you the money. So stop crying
and get it done. Afterwards, if the gig was a nightmare and the money
didn't make it worth the trouble, don't play there again. And do other
bands you know a favor by warning them.
Set
a Clean Stage
Like it or not, live performance is a visual medium, as much as it is
about the music. Your stage should be as clean and organized as possible.
Group cords together whenever possible. Hide the drum and guitar cases.
Use black Gaffer's Tape instead of silver duct tape. Once set up is
complete, step back into the room and look at your stage. Is anything
out of place? If so, fix it now.
Dress
Like You Mean It
Obviously, in certain styles, this is going to be a very fine distinction.
However, there is a difference between wearing the dirty, ragged jeans
you wore when loading in and the ragged jeans with the strategic holes
you wear during your performance. Your band should have a unified look;
not uniforms (unless you're on the show circuit) but coordinated. If
one member is all slicked up, another is in jeans and the third in shorts
and no shirt, you run the risk of looking amateurish. Get your act together
and dress like you're a band, not a bunch of know-nothings that just
walked in off the street
Get
Out Fast
Once your gig is over, get out and go home. That cute bartender really
doesn't want to stick around an extra hour while you get drunk, tell
her lies, and hit on her. Sure, take a few minutes to catch your breath.
Then, pack your stuff and load it out. Then, and only then, can you
sit down and have a nightcap. If the staff gives even the slightest
signal that you've overstayed your welcome, smile, thank them, and say
goodnight.
These
are the bare minimum requirements for acting professionally. And, if
you want to be a professional musician, you'd better get used to them.
If you aren't willing to be business-like, don't expect anyone to do
business with you. On the other hand, there are countless bands playing
several nights a week that aren't outstanding musicians. They play well
enough to get by. And they make up for their lack of musical ability
by being consummate professionals. How wonderful it will be for you
if you can do both extremely well. And, above all, Keep Thumpin'!
©2004
- Lane Baldwin
^Top of Page^
|
