• From: Paisley, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-07-09
  • Posts: 337

Topic: How good to gig??

Here's something that's been bugging me.....how good do you need to be to play a gig, say in a local pub or the likes?


I'm not necessarily considering it, nor indeed am I beating away offers on a daily basis. However, the appeal of playing to an audience is considerable in my opinion but when does someone decide they're ready??


It'd be interesting to know from any of you guys that do play gigs (or anyone else with an opinion, for that matter) how you arrived at your decision to finally make the step from the privacy of your own home to playing for an audience. Was it based on number of songs you knew, time you'd been playing, confidence, or indeed another factor that I've missed.


Maybe a silly question....but hey, that's what I'm here for  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_razz.gif" border=0 alt="Razz">

All I got, is a red guitar, three chords and the truth

bud_wiser's Website

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: How good to gig??

Can you play three songs?  Thats a set.


The next trick is finding somewhere to play.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 22

Re: How good to gig??

Confidence and memorization are key. if u don't know the songs, don't play 'em. thats just a recipe for disaster. start small first, like small bars, pubs, festivals ect... Always practice in front of friends and family first, that way u'll have some thought of what it'll be like. just know the songs, don't get 2 nervous and u'll be fine!!!  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,198

Re: How good to gig??

Hi Mark


If you know someone who performs regularly ask if you can do a guest spot with him/her of say, 3 to 6 songs. Practise them together first and go for it. It is far easier having someone with you when you start than doing it alone. It will build your confidence for the time you do go solo.


In the meantime play in front of family and friends as much as possible and ask them to be critical of your performance.


My brother who performs in pubs in the UK fairly frequently is usually asked to do two spots of 3/4 of an hour or two one hour spots. Here in Portugal they usually want twice as much for half the money. Oh well you can't have everything, as least I've got the sun.


Roger

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

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Murphysboro Il
  • Registered: 2007-02-10
  • Posts: 292

Re: How good to gig??

I started performming as soon as I had a few songs down.I played every week at The Longbranch which was a coffee house in town. It was mostly a modish type crowd, bunch of exies. They were more into the feeling and passion and express of the performance than the technical skill so it didn't have to be real fancy. It was a great place to build confidence and a bit of a rep as well as try new material.

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm
  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Re: How good to gig??

Some pubs do open mic nights on a regular basis. Find a local one and get down there.

I've not built up that confidence yet. Still a family and friends guy. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_redface.gif" border=0 alt="Embarassed">

Go for it.

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website

  • From: Paisley, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-07-09
  • Posts: 337

Re: How good to gig??

I fear I may have misled slightly.... <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_rolleyes.gif" border=0 alt="Rolling Eyes">


I'm not suggesting that I'm up for performing to an audience as yet...family and friends is fine. In fact there's an impending barbecue that has me practically filling my nappy at the mere thought.


I'm just curious how the transition between the two works and when you make the call to have a bash. The thought of having a go and getting booed out the place isn't so great...but then maybe that's where the buzz of performing comes from, from pulling it off.

All I got, is a red guitar, three chords and the truth

bud_wiser's Website