Just lookin for some ideas...

[cloud9]

Me band's having a concert next Friday and I now Rimshot plays Drums and I think Waspiflab posted some pictures of him and his band.  Any advice on playing.  I'm the guitarist (i play drums mainly though) and have a Epiphone LP-100 and a Line6 Spider II 210 with a FBV Express.  Any advice?

Thanks

[flyboy 28]

Any advice?

Don't screw up.

Seriously though, is this your first show?

If so, be sure to practice your songs repeatidly over the next week. It works wonders. My first gig, I kinda blew because my sticks kind of exploded. But as long as you've got good equipment and practice, you should be alright.

What kind of music is it anyway? And what kind of drumset do you use?

[cloud9]

What kind of music is it anyway? And what kind of drumset do you use?

All kinds and I have an old '80s Tama Swingstar Rock (not ready-to-rock junk) set that I love with a 16" paiste alpha crash 18" inch paiste PST5 crash and paiste 20" PST5 Ride

[TacitBlue]

You said you were the guitar player? Try not to stand still. Move around and look like you are having a blast, and you don't care that the audience is there. Find a pause in one of the songs and jump. Try to time it so that you land right as you need to start playing again. Practice moving around while you play, it isn't easy for everyone to do.  But don't worry if you aren't that good at it, you will be after a few shows.

It took me a lot of practice before I could do it right, especially the jumping. I was in a punk band for about a year, and once we got our routine down, people would tell us all the time that we really looked like we were having fun compared to the other bands at the shows.

[afi0yz]

some advice:

1. see if you can borrow a half stack from someone, the 2x10 might be a little on the weak side.....depending on what kind of place are you playing at.

2. plan for any screw ups you might have for example.....

talk to the band about what should happen if someone misses a que

practice some improv just in case

keep some extra picks handy, a tuner close by, some extra intrument cables (if you use them), and if you can or want, another guitar off to the side somewhere

3. have fun, have confidence and dont think about screwing up

[elwellnick24]

as already mentioned-
have fun, but even more importantly, LOOK like youre having fun!
put new strings on your guitar
have youre amp settings sorted before hand
check leads work etc
finally, just enjoy it!  :D

[Tweek]

After you've played the first song, you'll be fine

As people have said about moving around, do so, but if it doesn't feel natural, keep it to a minimum... i.e. if it doesn't feel comfortable, don't bounce around the stage, just don't stand dead still!

I think the most important bit of advice... if you get a bit in the song wrong, carry on playing! There's nothing worse than stopping mid-song. However, if it's a solo intro, you could probably get away with starting again, but don't look phased by it. Laugh it off, and start playing again

[Fozzer]

After being a musician for the past 70 years...
I have found that to be successful it has to be something that comes naturally from a early age, (2 years old?)... ...!

If not, it's a struggle all the way... ...!
You either have "it" or you don't......!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul..;;... ...!

[beaky]

If something goes wrong,don't stop the song. No matter what. Keep playing. That's all I ever learned on stage: don't stop.

[town]

Remember the drummer is the band anchor. If everything else goes to pot, you just keep pedalling old boy, the rest can always get back onboard - if you stop the world stops with you.


(from another old drummer)

[bbstackerf]

Sounds pretty exciting. First gig and all. Good luck! Not a musician here so never had to step on stage for entertainment purposes. But good luck! Break a leg! (I think that's what they say in show biz.)


Keni  ;)

[TacitBlue]

A word on screw-ups: If you do mess up, like everyone said, just keep going. Chances are that people won't notice anyway, especially if you fall right back into step.

[beaky]

Remember the drummer is the band anchor. If everything else goes to pot, you just keep pedalling old boy, the rest can always get back onboard - if you stop the world stops with you.


(from another old drummer)

Of course, I am a drummer, too- the most important and most humble member of the group...
Yes, keep pedaling... LOL!

[beaky]

Sounds pretty exciting. First gig and all. Good luck! Not a musician here so never had to step on stage for entertainment purposes. But good luck! Break a leg! (I think that's what they say in show biz.)


Keni  ;)

They say "break a leg" but never "good luck"! Major faux pas. That's the kiss of death right there. Also:
Never mention a certain play about a certain Scottish king anywhere near a theater, and don't whistle in the theater.
Of course, it's all silly- only superstition brings bad luck...

[cloud9]

I'm leaving in two hours to go practice until the concert starts at 23:30 GMT. Can't wait and thanks for the advice

Andrew, the maniac dritarist (drummer and guitarist all in one )