Well,..goin play live for the first time!

[sethj]

Nervous as hell,...but we got a full set worked out,...

talk about a variety of music,..lol,...omg we got a mix of everything...

here's a sample of the first set,....

1-War Pigs-Sabbath
2-Sweet Home Alabama- Skynard
3-Hotel California-Eagles
4-Just Between you and me - April Wine
5-Green Manalishi-Priest
6-Mustang Sally- Wilson pickett
7-The Chair- (unknown / country)
8-Straight from the heart- Bryan Adams
9-Cold Gin- Kiss
10- Highway Song- Blackfoot
11- Brown Eye Girl- Van Morrison
12-Stranglehold-Ted nugent
13-Don't Close your eyes- keith Whitley?

Saturday night will be MY first time on guitar live,.....any suggestions?
We have a crazy mix of country,..top 40,..rock,..metal,....lmao,..a little bit of everything,..because it seems thats what this band has been getting requests for when they go play. I aint crazy about some of the tunes,..but hell,....gotta do em. Theres always a couple old bums gonna wanna hear some country,.....

any advice on my first time out?

[ansthenia]

Hey man, great set list.

What helped me immensely overcome my nerves, but it's quite weird and not really something you can just "do" is to find a way to simply look forward to playing your instrument, the songs you are playing, or both. So that you don't really care about the audience, you just can't wait to play for yourself.

About 2 years ago I went up on stage for the first time. I was on stage for 25 mins on my own playing solo guitar pieces, I was CRAPPING my self weeks beforehand. What I did is I got my material down so it was very easy for me, then I simply didn't play guitar at all for a whole week before I was to get on stage (I was confident enough I would still be able to play it because I knew it so well and found it easy) Even though I had been very nervous about getting up on stage for a long time, about 2-3 days before the gig I found that I couldn't wait! I simply could not wait to play my instrument again and play through those songs, I wasn't thinking about the audience, or if I was to mess up, I just wanted to play guitar and I was looking forward to it. So my technique is; if I know my material well and know about the gig a few weeks beforehand, I will stop playing guitar for a while before. I always find myself looking forward to getting up on stage now more than dreading it. Try and find a reason to look forward to the event, even if you have to give yourself one like I did. It could even be someone you look forward to seeing there, think about seeing that person more so than getting up on stage.

Some people will recommend drinking a small amount of alcohol so that you loosen up a bit but can still play well.

Bananas and milk are supposed to help calm your nervous system and settle your stomach because of something they have in them (can't remember what lol) so they may help a bit if you have a decent amount on the day of the gig (although it may only help you "in theory") lots of sugar can amplify your nerves so don't take to much,or any at all, on the day of the gig.

Talking about food consumption may seem a little far fetched to try and help your nerves, but hey, if it there's a chance it helps why not

Of course you don't have to do all this before every gig, just for the first few. Eventually you will get used to it and won't care for all this

Good luck!

[shreddingjoris]

Have fun!

[Maxxxwell]

Cool set!

I just think in my head, "wow, all these people are here to see ME!"

[BKW]

Some great songs.

The first time I played live was at DOA 4 years ago. Talk about pressure!!! I only was doing one song, but MAB, Vinnie Moore, Trivium (Matt & Corrie), Bill Peck, and others in attendance (and playing) I was like .

I find a drink or a beer or two is helpful to clam the nerves...if you are over 21. But don't get wasted... that can be worse!

Most of all have fun and remember, most people will not hear mistakes that are made let alone remember them.

Also, think about the clothes you are going to wear onstage. Have someone take pictures.

Oh... one tip I got the first time.. 'don't just stand there'. Move around some (even if it feels forced) and have a good time.


Here is my first time on stage (I'm at the far left of the picture):

[sethj]

lol,..yes,..well past 21,.....more like 41

good advice here,....I'm pretty anxious,..and a lil nervous,....I just hope nothing breaks,.....like a friggin pedal,..or an amp,.....I think i would freak out,....lmao

[TheLivingDead]

Good luck dude! I'm sure you'll kick ass.

[What's-His-Face]

Jon Finn (of Berklee College of Music) told me, "...just accept the fact that you are going to make a mistake. You know why? Because [you're] human..."

There was a bit more to that which I cant quite remember but the point is, if you are going to worry about making a lot of mistakes, you're probably going to make even more. A few missed notes wont be a big deal. I say relax, play, and enjoy yourself.

[venreskiller4]

Apr 1, 2011 20:30:30 GMT -6 What's-His-Face said:

Jon Finn (of Berklee College of Music) told me, "...just accept the fact that you are going to make a mistake. You know why? Because [you're] human..."

There was a bit more to that which I cant quite remember but the point is, if you are going to worry about making a lot of mistakes, you're probably going to make even more. A few missed notes wont be a big deal. I say relax, play, and enjoy yourself.

Excellent points what's his face. We will make mistakes no matter what. Just don't hang on to the mistakes. Let them go. Music keeps moving no matter what. Keep up with the music. During practice, find graceful ways of recovering from mistakes.

Seth, just remember that the rest of the band will help lessen the impact of those mistakes. I know how mistakes could be magnified by the person who is making them, but the audience may not even catch them.

I find that if the first song goes well, it should set the tone for the rest of the set or night.

Rock on dude!!!

[loudguitar]

Not sure if you had the gig yet seth? Hope it goes/went well!

Hey ven! Your statement

During practice, find graceful ways of recovering from mistakes.

is extremely important, beautifully articulated, and one of the true keys to sounding like a good musician. All top pro players have figured this out a long time ago. This is something that I try to impart to my students all the time, I may need to steal your exact words

And What's-His-Face, that is cool that you heard that from John Finn directly. It is another great point. Did you study with him? I have not met him, but have enjoyed some of his articles and instructional stuff over the years. I had a former student who went on to Berklee and studied with John, he always had great things to say about him.

Of course this is such an issue because the guitar really is a difficult instrument to play relative to other instruments. There are many more ways to "mess up" the right note on the guitar than to get it right, and the guitar is an instrument more than most where "playing the right note" definitely does not guarantee the right sound.

[venreskiller4]

Apr 10, 2011 6:31:14 GMT -6 loudguitar said:

Not sure if you had the gig yet seth? Hope it goes/went well!

Hey ven! Your statement

During practice, find graceful ways of recovering from mistakes.

is extremely important, beautifully articulated, and one of the true keys to sounding like a good musician. All top pro players have figured this out a long time ago. This is something that I try to impart to my students all the time, I may need to steal your exact words

Right on Loudguitar! Feel absolutely free to use it! Anything help the cause of furthering excellent music and guitar playing.