... just a few things I've learned over fifty plus years of playing ... that might be helpful ...
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Some Tips for the Newbies
* First and Foremost: Remember to thank your audience, before you play, and after you play. Remember .... all the energy you perform with ..... you draw from your audience. * Be prepared. The last thing an audience wants to see on stage is an unpolished performance. * Performing on stage is all about ego. If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be there. Don’t let it go to your head. The objective is always the same. Leave the audience wanting more. * If you’ve got some personal issues going on, leave them off stage. It will drag you down, and in turn, drag your audience down, and it is from the audience, that you draw your energy. * Private jokes on stage amongst band members makes an audience feel left out, and an audience should never feel left out. * Look professional. This includes your mannerism and your attitude on stage. Be respectful of everyone on and off the stage. There is no “I” in band and everyone works together. Have your gear organized, making sure everything is in it’s place. * Help other band members set up and move gear wherever you can. It makes the job a lot easier and you're more apt to get help...if you need it. * Need to tune up between songs ? (it will happen) Get yourself a good quality digital tuner, rack mount or floor, preferably with a bypass/mute feature, so you can talk to your audience while making any tuning adjustments. Don’t leave them standing there wondering what’s going on. * Song transition from one song to the next. A dance floor with nobody dancing...is not a good thing. * Watch your language. Remember....mics are unforgiving. It can mean the difference between being asked back....or never hired again. |
For the Guitar Player
Guitars: Bring a backup. In addition to requiring a particular sound, you never know when you may need it, even for something as simple as a broken string.
Strings: Pack spare strings, at least 2 of each, but more for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings
Cables and Stuff: Good quality, professional grade, including a spare ¼” stereo. Think about snaking cables if you’re going to have multiple connections from pedals or keys.
Spare tubes. My amps are Fender, so I bring along spares for GT12AX7 and GT6L6B. 3 A fuses. Put together a kit, possibly with a multi-head screwdriver, some sort of multi-tool, string winder, mini-flashlight, electrical tape, short patch cord(s), picks, guitar polish, string cleaner, etc.
Accessories: Capo...clip it to your mic stand so it’s always handy. Pick holder. The best type I know of is the slotted rubber sleeve that slides onto your mic stand. Strap Locks...use ‘em.
Gaffer's Tape...the musicians best friend. Tape down loose cables
Stomp Boxes and Pedals: Ensure you have sufficient 9 volt batteries or working power supply.
Guitar Stands: A must, whether it’s the multiple standing rack, or the single guitar styles. A word of caution...the double and triple guitar stands can be unstable on stage.
It’s your choice.... but be warned.
Cases: Every guitar needs a good case. A home away from home for your axe, and your axe, is your bread and butter. Soft gig bags are okay, but they don’t offer much in the way of protection.
Strings: Pack spare strings, at least 2 of each, but more for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings
Cables and Stuff: Good quality, professional grade, including a spare ¼” stereo. Think about snaking cables if you’re going to have multiple connections from pedals or keys.
Spare tubes. My amps are Fender, so I bring along spares for GT12AX7 and GT6L6B. 3 A fuses. Put together a kit, possibly with a multi-head screwdriver, some sort of multi-tool, string winder, mini-flashlight, electrical tape, short patch cord(s), picks, guitar polish, string cleaner, etc.
Accessories: Capo...clip it to your mic stand so it’s always handy. Pick holder. The best type I know of is the slotted rubber sleeve that slides onto your mic stand. Strap Locks...use ‘em.
Gaffer's Tape...the musicians best friend. Tape down loose cables
Stomp Boxes and Pedals: Ensure you have sufficient 9 volt batteries or working power supply.
Guitar Stands: A must, whether it’s the multiple standing rack, or the single guitar styles. A word of caution...the double and triple guitar stands can be unstable on stage.
It’s your choice.... but be warned.
Cases: Every guitar needs a good case. A home away from home for your axe, and your axe, is your bread and butter. Soft gig bags are okay, but they don’t offer much in the way of protection.
For the Keyboard Player
This info is primarily for the "Live" keyboard players
This info is primarily for the "Live" keyboard players
Your Keyboard: Obviously it's difficult to bring a spare, so it's important to ensure your keys are in good working order.
Connections: Replace or repair worn cables and/or snakes. This is why it's a good idea to keep the area around your feet clear of cables, because it's so easy to step on cables and internal repair is virtually impossible.
Snakes: Think about a snake for the many connections you're liable to have, depending on your setup. Makes for an easier setup and tear down.
Stands: Be aware of your footprint and where possible, your alotted room on stage or if on the floor level, the general band location and how much room you need to take up.
If you're playing on a raised platform, be conscious of instability. Movement by others can often affect the stabiilty (shaking or rocking) of your keyboard(s).
Tri-footed mic stands are best for keyboard players because of the extended reach often required. The Ultimate stand does offer the ability to mount a mic stand directly to the keyboard stand, so that's something to consider.
Floor controlled effect units: Have them readily accessible....but not underfoot. And....there is no rule that says a foot control unit has to be on the floor. If it's more convenient to be within hand reach then put it within hand reach. You've got enough going on in front of you without feeling around with your foot for a stomp box in the dark.
Cases: This is fairly self explanatory. The soft gig cases will suffice. The hard shell fitted cases offer more protection and of course road cases are prime.
Connections: Replace or repair worn cables and/or snakes. This is why it's a good idea to keep the area around your feet clear of cables, because it's so easy to step on cables and internal repair is virtually impossible.
Snakes: Think about a snake for the many connections you're liable to have, depending on your setup. Makes for an easier setup and tear down.
Stands: Be aware of your footprint and where possible, your alotted room on stage or if on the floor level, the general band location and how much room you need to take up.
If you're playing on a raised platform, be conscious of instability. Movement by others can often affect the stabiilty (shaking or rocking) of your keyboard(s).
Tri-footed mic stands are best for keyboard players because of the extended reach often required. The Ultimate stand does offer the ability to mount a mic stand directly to the keyboard stand, so that's something to consider.
Floor controlled effect units: Have them readily accessible....but not underfoot. And....there is no rule that says a foot control unit has to be on the floor. If it's more convenient to be within hand reach then put it within hand reach. You've got enough going on in front of you without feeling around with your foot for a stomp box in the dark.
Cases: This is fairly self explanatory. The soft gig cases will suffice. The hard shell fitted cases offer more protection and of course road cases are prime.
How do you know the RIGHT keyboard for you?
This info is primarily for the "Live" keyboard players
"How do you know...?" You don't....not without taking them for the proverbial test drive first, and even then, after deciding on what you think is the perfect keyboard, you may find quirks that you're not overly happy about and you have to make a decision...do I keep it or try something else?
I myself, like many other keyboard players, have gone through more keyboards than we have fingers, always in search of that "perfect" unit.
My personal preferences in what I look for:
THINGS TO CONSIDER
The bottom line is: the keyboard that's right for you, is the one that you're most comfortable with. That's not saying you've settled, because there are so many more, possibly more costly keyboards out there, but if it works for you, and your needs, then it is in fact the "right" keyboard, and don't let anyone tell you differently, because they're not the one playing it...you are.
Thank You for visiting Shboom
This info is primarily for the "Live" keyboard players
"How do you know...?" You don't....not without taking them for the proverbial test drive first, and even then, after deciding on what you think is the perfect keyboard, you may find quirks that you're not overly happy about and you have to make a decision...do I keep it or try something else?
I myself, like many other keyboard players, have gone through more keyboards than we have fingers, always in search of that "perfect" unit.
My personal preferences in what I look for:
- Portability, specifically if I'm going to be using the keys for gigs which means packing up, tearing down, how much of a footprint, etc.
- Connections: generally (and this is very generally) you're going to use your L/Mono in the most simplistic application. From there, you can go L & R, secondary outs, midi in/out/thru (to work with secondary keyboards and other midi compatible units)
- What's involved in the set-up? Can you handle it alone? Is it a two man job, or 3 man in the case of a B3?
- What kind of stand should I use? Classic 'X' stand, double 'X', Ultimate Stand, 4 leg platform style? These are all things you must consider, and in so doing, you need to know the weight capacity of the stand and it's locking capability. The last thing you want is your keyboard suddenly crashing to your feet.
- Power supply? Hard wired or wall-wart? (AC transformer) If it is a wall-wart, be sure you carry a spare of correct specifications.
- "Gaffer's Tape is a musician's best friend". Tape down those loose cables, and as out of the way as possible. You're going to have a lot of "stuff" at you feet. Keep the area clear.
- Always protect your gear. Get a good case and protect your investment.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Makes and models? Again, this is your choice based on what I consider to be important points that I've laid out here.
- For me...the top three: KORG / YAMAHA / NORD
- Other Choices: Technics, EMS, Kurzweil, Alesis
The bottom line is: the keyboard that's right for you, is the one that you're most comfortable with. That's not saying you've settled, because there are so many more, possibly more costly keyboards out there, but if it works for you, and your needs, then it is in fact the "right" keyboard, and don't let anyone tell you differently, because they're not the one playing it...you are.
Thank You for visiting Shboom
