Live tips
- Thread starter Executioner213
- Start date
this is not a joke. it is really true. i ALWAYS loosen up with a beer or two at practice. im not an easy drunk tho...
A good tip for vocalist- If you can't hear yourself through the monitors, don't try to get louder to balance it out. Just scream/sing at normal volume and hope it sounds right through the FOH.
deanbailey
O.C.D Member
This might not be what Executioner213 had in mind either but I'll add, apart from the neccessary tone and sound checks refrain from playing at ALL in between songs. So many times have I seen a band play and then in between songs is there a guitarist playing a new solo he's just learned or bassist plucking away or drummer showing off his double bass. It looks pretty unprofessional and quite amature-ish.
That being said, talking (amongst members) between songs shouldn't be too much either. Anything that stops the performance or makes it look like the band in uncertain or unrehearsed. If It's important, like "oh man I'm outta picks" or "dude can you maybe slow it down a bit I can't play" or "more *** in the monitors" (which technically should be avoided in sound check) then the vocalist should be prepared to talk a lot more bullshit or advertise
Keep your playing area clean as I think the old saying goes "dirty workspace, Dirty work" It just makes you feel more comfortable knowing there's no clutter of cables to trip over/slip on too. It also looks better from the audience perspective.
Also I'd suggest choosing your positions wisely and stick to it (as much as you can due to stage sizes being different). To me nothing looks more uncomfortable/unassertive than a band that changes positions every show or is playing on top of each other. If you're not sure what you're doing on stage don't expect the crowed too
That being said, talking (amongst members) between songs shouldn't be too much either. Anything that stops the performance or makes it look like the band in uncertain or unrehearsed. If It's important, like "oh man I'm outta picks" or "dude can you maybe slow it down a bit I can't play" or "more *** in the monitors" (which technically should be avoided in sound check) then the vocalist should be prepared to talk a lot more bullshit or advertise
Keep your playing area clean as I think the old saying goes "dirty workspace, Dirty work" It just makes you feel more comfortable knowing there's no clutter of cables to trip over/slip on too. It also looks better from the audience perspective.
Also I'd suggest choosing your positions wisely and stick to it (as much as you can due to stage sizes being different). To me nothing looks more uncomfortable/unassertive than a band that changes positions every show or is playing on top of each other. If you're not sure what you're doing on stage don't expect the crowed too
Torniojaws
They call me Juha
If you don't have a locking jack plug, just put your guitar/bass on and pull the instrument cable through the strap from behind the guitar/bass and then into the jack. That way you'll never accidentally unplug it if you step on your cable.
Mute when you tune....drive's me insane when i have to hear some douche tuning his guitar for ten minutes.
DestroyTheColossus
Member
- Mar 18, 2008
- 280
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- 16
DestroyTheColossus
Member
- Mar 18, 2008
- 280
- 0
- 16
I hate it when the band is getting set up, and a guitarist who is done setting up, and is waiting for the drummer to finish, turns his amp up and sits there playing basic sweeps. And im not talking for a soundcheck. They do it just to show off so that someone will complement them and stroke their ego. They always seem to act humble too.... "oh... you heard that sweep?... ya, its pretty cool. took alot of work... i didnt know you guys could hear it though..." Meanwhile their amp is blasting and I dont think there's a person in the venue who can ignore it. It happens alot around here with local bands and always bothers me.
elmuchoescadawg
Member
He could always fire his tech, buy a screwdriver and put the earth back on his amp head?
smy1
Member
Have the singer rehearse EVERY single announcement he makes between songs. Most singers will always say "Ah, I'm a cool guy, I can just make sth up on the spot!" and then they come across as clueless idiots, cause they forget everything and mumble bullshit.
It's a show. Learn it by heart, then if something spontaneous happens you can react to that.
It's a show. Learn it by heart, then if something spontaneous happens you can react to that.
That one was in a recent guitar mag (Guitar World or Guitar Player, can't remember). I'm going to imagine that he doesn't have to worry about such things anymore, but just gave a tip based on where everyone else might be at.
My other guitarist and I have gone rounds with our singer over this topic. One show, which we did a soundboard recording, our singer said "Alright you guys, this song is called...." before EVERY song.
Another one I hate is when he was saying "tip your bartenders" all the time, which is actually fine and everything to tell people that, but not only do I think people are decent enough to at least tip something, but this line is like a reminder biting me in the ass from when I was in a bar band (cover band, whatever).
Chryst Krispies
Vanilla Gorilla
My buddy does pushups and pullups and other calisthenics before he goes on so when the shit hits the fan onstage he doesn't pull muscles or anything ha ha ha.
smy1
Member
Me too. I do pushups, lunges, skipping, the whole 9 yards. Mainly to create oxygen debt and not be out of breath after 30 seconds when the gig starts ...
xFkx
gain induction
As experience showed me, it's quite important to do the same thing on the other side of the cable, and tie it around the handlebar of the cabinet... metalcore shows, meh
YES, jesus christ - good stage etiquette is a must.
Hahaha, and also, don't forget to put strings on your guitar and play through an amp!
Hmmm, not too sure if I'd wanna do that - better to have the cable pop out then have it try to support a shock of me yanking it by stomping on it (not to mention jerking the cab) - I like my cables!
buy one of these:
http://www.powerballs.com/
and use it for warm up before playing.. they're pretty awesome!
http://www.powerballs.com/
and use it for warm up before playing.. they're pretty awesome!
Torniojaws
They call me Juha
deanbailey
O.C.D Member
I Used to do that after trying it around the handle of the head...till I stepped on the cable and almost pulled the head off the cab. :zombie:
Almost experienced a new way to headbang.
I'd rather sacrifice a cable/jack being ripped out than a head or cab falling over.
