How To Prepare For Getting Gigs
By Joshua LeBlanc
So you've been playing your instrument for a while now and you are ready to get out there and perform for the world. You've been hacking away at songs and feel they are to the point where you know you will amaze people when you play them. The only thing stopping you now is one question: “How do I actually get a gig?” Well fortunately it is a lot easier than most people think. It will only require determination, patience, and the ability to accept hearing the word “NO” a lot. This particular article will apply more to musicians who perform as a solo act. This also assumes you are proficient at your instrument so if you want to be a performing guitarist but can't play your guitar well, you should look into guitar lessons. While you may not be aiming to perform as a solo act, do know that these principles will still apply and that future articles may apply to your situation better. Today we will start with the preparation aspects.
Preparation Is A Must
Benjamin Franklin is known for saying “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” First things first, do you have your set together? Are you able to play it as perfect as possible consistently? Do you still have problems with switching between certain chords in one song? Have you recorded yourself and listened back to it with an honest critique of yourself? (Using a smart phone to record yourself would be sufficient enough) Have you had a few friends or family members sit in and listen while you perform? Doing all this before stepping foot out of your house will increase your chances of landing that gig you've been looking forward to.
Taking The First Steps
Now that you worked out your set in the comfort of your home it's time to get some actual performing experience down. First, look for any type of Open Mic session in your area. These are great for getting some actual stage time and experience. Usually a PA (Personal Address) system is provided so you'll have the chance to actually feel the difference of being amplified if you haven't before. Usually venues that host open mic nights tend to book live music as well so if your style would suit the venue this is a great way to showcase yourself. The best part is that you don't need to worry if you mess up because this isn't an audition. This is a way to better yourself. Also you should have the chance to get feedback and advice from other musicians if you take the time to introduce yourself.
Figuring Out Where To Start
This last step can be done in conjunction with the other two steps and this step is what I refer to as “doing your homework”. This step takes time but is well worth it. Start off by finding all the venues in your area that you could perform at. Then start weeding out the ones that the style of music you play wouldn't go so well with. From there find out what you will need in terms of gear. You don't need to have the highest level guitar or microphone to start out but you will need a decent quality one in order to get started. Most places will require you to have a PA as well so you will need to invest in that as well. Once you have all the basics acquired you can start playing and upgrade your gear as needed.
Joshua LeBlanc is the owner and lead instructor at Lafayette School of Guitar providing guitar lessons in Lafayette, LA.