1 Topic by Guitarpix (edited by Guitarpix 2008-05-31 22:36:04)

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Topic: Gig advice...!!!

OK well I just got off the phone with the owner of the local music store. He called and asked me to perform at a barbecue next Friday! It's a paying gig scheduled from 5pm to 9pm or untill. I'll be performing solo or possibly with one other guitarist (a friend of mine). Music is no problem but what I need to know is how long are your sets usually and whats the duration of your breaks? This is my first paying gig and ,considering who it's for and the other musicians that are going to be attending, I really want it to be as professional as possible. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!  Don't know if I'm more excited or nervous...lol I've never performed in front of more than 20 people and he's got over 50 guests attending. One good thing though... It's open barr so if I can do decent for the first hour everyone will be two sheets in and not care about the rest...lol Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: Madeira Beach, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-12-05
  • Posts: 3,312

Re: Gig advice...!!!

And to think.....I knew Pix before he was famous! (Damn, shoulda got an autograph)

Congrats to you my man! I am sure you will have a blast. Let me know the details, maybe I can make it to your debut.

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: Gig advice...!!!

topdown wrote:

And to think.....I knew Pix before he was famous! (Damn, shoulda got an autograph)

Congrats to you my man! I am sure you will have a blast. Let me know the details, maybe I can make it to your debut.

LoL... Thanks Tops! No fame here though...lol

Is it really the performance you'd want to see or possibly the mention of OPEN BARR is what caught your attention...lol I'll fill you in on details when I get them Monday after I go by his store with my set lists for his approval. Look forward to jamming with you again sometime!Are you still planning the beach trip and possible stop by this summer? Peace! -Pix

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Gig advice...!!!

most sets run 45 to and hour depending on how many songs in your set list and if you take time to talk to the people the breaks are usually around 20 minutes or 15 if your in vegas or an hour if you visit a friends van smile

Guitarpix wrote:

OK well I just got off the phone with the owner of the local music store. He called and asked me to perform at a barbecue next Friday! It's a paying gig scheduled from 5pm to 9pm or untill. I'll be performing solo or possibly with one other guitarist (a friend of mine). Music is no problem but what I need to know is how long are your sets usually and whats the duration of your breaks? This is my first paying gig and ,considering who it's for and the other musicians that are going to be attending, I really want it to be as professional as possible. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!  Don't know if I'm more excited or nervous...lol I've never performed in front of more than 20 people and he's got over 50 guests attending. One good thing though... It's open barr so if I can do decent for the first hour everyone will be two sheets in and not care about the rest...lol Peace!

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: Gig advice...!!!

Russell_Harding wrote:

most sets run 45 to and hour depending on how many songs in your set list and if you take time to talk to the people the breaks are usually around 20 minutes or 15 if your in vegas or an hour if you visit a friends van smile

Thanks Russell, That's about what I was figuring... 45 on and 15 for break. And yea, I'll be taking a quick trip to the van (or Jeep in my case) during break unless the party is more casual than I'm thinking it's going to be...lol Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Gig advice...!!!

Guitarpix wrote:

OK well I just got off the phone with the owner of the local music store. He called and asked me to perform at a barbecue next Friday! It's a paying gig scheduled from 5pm to 9pm or untill. I'll be performing solo or possibly with one other guitarist (a friend of mine). Music is no problem but what I need to know is how long are your sets usually and whats the duration of your breaks? This is my first paying gig and ,considering who it's for and the other musicians that are going to be attending, I really want it to be as professional as possible. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!  Don't know if I'm more excited or nervous...lol I've never performed in front of more than 20 people and he's got over 50 guests attending. One good thing though... It's open barr so if I can do decent for the first hour everyone will be two sheets in and not care about the rest...lol Peace!

Congrats on the gig. The person paying you is the one you need to work out your break schedule with. Work this out before you play. Each place I play has a different  break schedule. Just make sure you are the same page with the person paying you at the end of the night. If they leave it up to you, I would recommend keeping things going(play a long first set ,90 minutes or longer if can hack it) if it's going well to begin. Gigs tend to be a bit easier if your last sets' are shorter than your earlier sets. Also, the owners are gonna be happier if you get those extra people to stick around and buy a few extra drinks. Keep some background music going during your breaks either from your CD player or the bars house stereo. Limit your breaks to no more than 25 minutes. Best of luck to you. Be sure and write about it in "Let's Hear About Your Gigs".

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Give everything but up.
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Gig advice...!!!

First set a full hour to an hour and fifteen.  By then, everyone who is going to be blasted will be blasted, or at the very least chemically prepared not to care how long your second set is. 

If you play an hour and fifteen, then a twenty minute break and then a 0:45 set.  By then, the party will be in full swing and you'll not have to worry about the third or fourth set lengths. 

If there's going to be a lot of other musicians there, if you know any, don't be afraid to invite them to jamm a song or two during the break.  Unless you know them well, don't ask someone to jamm from stage without having addressed it with them directly first.  You could hint around, but don't put someone on the spot. 

Above any and all other advice I could possibly give is this: have a blast.  If you're having fun on stage, the audience will have fun.  And remember, they aren't there for you.  They're there for the open bar.  And maybe to visit with the host, but mostly the open bar.  You will be playing to drunken people before the end of the first set.

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: Gig advice...!!!

Hi Pix,

You seem to have all the advise you need so all remains is for me to say "Break a leg" and enjoy yourself. I will second SouthPaw in asking you to please let us know how it goes.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • badeye
  • The Blues Fixer
  • Offline
  • From: Cape Breton Island, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 3,381

Re: Gig advice...!!!

Good luck Pix, stay relaxed, have a blast.

...Badeye cool

one caper after another
  • From: Derbyshire, England.
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 162

Re: Gig advice...!!!

5 till 9 and maybe midnight is a long gig. I would be looking at 30 on,30 off with a bit of a blast at the end. Push it too far and you will look awful silly when your voice gives way.

Also remember your gear, take as little as poss and have a mate keep an eye on it when you are not around and get it locked up pronto when you have done. Don't take you good stuff with you just to impress other people, a guitar played in the house is safe, a guitar on the road takes a beating.

Good luck and don't get drunk til' the last song.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."