How do you prepare a show ?

[Frantz]

Hello,

The first show is coming very soon for my band and I.
I feel a little bit like
I think we must do :
- a stage plan (where is each musician)
- a check list for each musician and for the group
- a (few) group rehearsal(s) that will exactly be the show
- individual rehearsals the day before the show
- sleep well before the show
- stick the song list on the instrument (for the kb)
- bring a bottle of water (with sugar ?) on stage
- have some spare jack cables
- bring some adhesive to fix cables
- know the amount of time we need to install and make "balance" (audio acoustic settings).

But ... I play very badly when I have pressure. I play smoother when I play relaxed.
If some of you had a few advices : how do you prepare yourself for a show ?

[shark]

We've all been there!

After 30+ years of playing live I really don't think about it anymore.
Just know that you and your bandmates will enjoy yourselves and if you do the audience will too.

Playing live is what it's all about!

[bdodds]

I find i play much better, come up with more interesting things, and generally take more chances when I don't care about the gig as much, so I try not to care about any of the gigs I play. I treat them like I'm going to jam with friends and have fun and it usually rolls much better. The more my bandmates and I stress over things the more things go wrong and it's all downhill from there. Just expect something to go wrong (it always does) and compensate. Everyone has their own method so you're going to have to find yours. I dehydrate fast at gigs so I have to drink gallons of water, I typically have no alcohol though a small amount would probably help my nerves. Too often I've played with drunk bandmates, and let me tell you when you're nearing the end of the night with 5 drunk bandmates and you're the sober one it's not a fun experience at all - though I know *I* sounded good.

Good luck, don't plan so much you stress, run through the show at rehearsal a few times, and unless you've got a robot for a drummer anticipate that you'll probably play everything 20-50bpm faster than normal. Also, if you're splitting the bill with any other bands and things in FR are anything like they are here in the US, your start time will be more like a guideline and the hour you had will magically become 45 minutes.

[Hanon_CTS]

We've all been there!

After 30+ years of playing live I really don't think about it anymore.
Just know that you and your bandmates will enjoy yourselves and if you do the audience will too.

Playing live is what it's all about!

+1
While I do believe that chance favors the prepared mind, and a plan, no matter how ill-conceived, will succeed over no plan at all.
You can cause yourself undue stress, and induce failure by over-thinking a show.
It takes many years of live gigs to really put together a solid roadworthy kit with enough contingency to be able to play no matter what, but there will always be challenging problems.

I played with a blues brothers review called "The Detectives" and we were playing a place called the laff-a-lot on Boca Grande when all of the power went off on the island during the first set. We finished the next 4 sets with an out of tune upright piano, drums, a harmonica, an acoustic guitar, and unamplified vocals.

We spent the first 15 minutes running around lighting extra bar candles trying to figure out what to do with no electricity before remembering that music transcends technology, and electricity.

It was the best gig ever, we sang '50s and '60s tunes like the old street corner a capella groups. It worked out really well because most of us in the band had played together for many years in a 1950s revival act.

We doubled the size of the crowd from the night before, simply because of bored residents hearing the drums and singing for miles through the open windows of the electricity-free void, and wandering down the street to see what all of the excitement was about.

My point behind this grandpa story is that if you have confidence in your musical ability, and the musicality of your group, you will prevail through any crisis.

Cheers, Hanon

[lennaerttol]

Don't worry. It will go well. Just rehearse until you know everything and play on stage like if it's a rehearsal. Then you, your band and the audience will enjoy the show. Good luck!

[Johannes]

+1 on what was already said, definitively relax!!!
And to be a bit more specific (and knowing that having a checklist can release some of the overwhelming stress of one's shoulder): (just my 2 cents)

- a stage plan (where is each musician) =>YEP
- a check list for each musician and for the group =>one for all should be OK plus everyone got his gear plus spare cables!!
- a (few) group rehearsal(s) that will exactly be the show => one
- individual rehearsals the day before the show => well you should all know your parts obviously
- sleep well before the show => maybe, but I guess Adrenaline will keep you awake even if your dead-tired
- stick the song list on the instrument (for the kb) => I prefer the floor version.
- bring a bottle of water (with sugar ?) on stage => 1L for everyone, these days maybe even more. No Sugar! In France they should serve you some nice food so no need for extra blood sugar.
- have some spare jack cables =>everyone should have his eq. including spare parts. For Keys, a DI just in case. Be sure to check what they have sound wise!!
- bring some adhesive to fix cables (Ruban à conduits in french, Gaffa in German or DUCT Tape in English, exactly!)
- know the amount of time we need to install and make "balance" (audio acoustic settings). The organizer will tell you that probably.

But ... I play very badly when I have pressure. I play smoother when I play relaxed. => So relax!! One beer early the evening might help, others have different policies on playing on drugs (including alcohol) but that's another story...
[/quote]

I would insist more than twice that you band mates are on time for the setup and soundcheck (bass player and drummer in particular ).

Any mos importantly, relax and enjoy!! Have fun!!

[Frantz]

Hello,

Big thanks for sharing.

We will: "be confident" and "enjoy"

Last week, I was (over) confident on a tune (Toto, Africa). I knew how to play the different parts, I was needing concentration for that, I thought I would just chain up the parts during the rehearsal but ... it has proven to be a disaster.

So I have 2 questions :

1. When do you know that you are ok (confident) on a tune ? (ready to go on rehearsal / then on stage)
- when you can play it eyes closed, just naturally, no concentration needed
- when you can play it but need to concentrate more on difficult parts
- when you can play it, need to concentrate, still can make a few mistakes
- ?

2. How long does it take for you to learn a tune and be confident ?

For Keys, a DI just in case

What is a DI please ?

Cheers,
frantzkb.

[bdodds]

- stick the song list on the instrument (for the kb) => I prefer the floor version.

It always winds up on the floor anyhow.

[Johannes]

1. When do you know that you are ok (confident) on a tune ? (ready to go on rehearsal / then on stage)
- when you can play it eyes closed, just naturally, no concentration needed
- when you can play it but need to concentrate more on difficult parts
- when you can play it, need to concentrate, still can make a few mistakes
2. How long does it take for you to learn a tune and be confident ?

JMO: Record yourself!! At rehearsals or even alone and listen afterwards, if you think your part sounds good, the crowd will like it! (sufficient, not necessary condition )
How long?? 1 Minute (genre "Lady in Black") to 1+ years (Köln Concert Tribute), hard to generalize.

What is a DI please ?

I meant a Direct Injection Box (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DI_unit) which is used to convert unbalanced outputs such as from (most) Keys into standard balanced inputs.
Typically you should not need one since if you play a venue that is used to have bands, the Sound Man will automatically give you two DI boxes at your keyboard stand where you just connect your Jack cable(s if you are playing stereo) and are set. Smaller venues might not have DI boxes but in this case you needed one (or two if stereo again, or a stereo DI) DI-Boxes plus long XLR cables (sax, 10 meters) to connect to the mixing console (Some places even might lack the XLR cables).
So depends on the type of venue your playing. In my experience, if you need a DI there will be one. And if it is a small or more or less accoustic gig or bar/café concert, you might not need one altogether if the mixer is close to the stage. But then be sure to have long enough Jack cables. I always carry one of these: http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_1802_adapter.htm which in the worst case let's me use my two 5m (=Stereo) Jack cables as one (=Mono) 10m one in case you need to directly connect to the mixer besides the stage.


Enjoy the show!!

[shark]

So I have 2 questions :

1. When do you know that you are ok (confident) on a tune ? (ready to go on rehearsal / then on stage)
- when you can play it eyes closed, just naturally, no concentration needed
- when you can play it but need to concentrate more on difficult parts
- when you can play it, need to concentrate, still can make a few mistakes
- ?

2. How long does it take for you to learn a tune and be confident ?

1. That will depend on your ability and on the song. I personally think I'm confident with a tune when I "feel it" rather than "play it", it's hard to explain but in time you'll understand.

2. that also depends on your ability and on the song. Sometimes it's better not to insist on playing overly complex songs but to choose the ones that are within your reach and build up your skills.

In my experience the best songs (crowd pleasers) are not the most complex ones and you can still enjoy playing them.