Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Well I have spent all my music time in recording and creating original music. Some of it decent, lol some of perhaps not so much so. A few months ago I joined a progressive rock band and my first live performance will be on Aug 11th at the 4-H Sommerset county fair, in Bridgewater NJ.

I’m a little nervous, this is the groups first live appearance so I’m hoping it will go well. The group are good folks with a strong urge for the stage. I’m not so much so, for me it will be great if it just sounds good and goes smoothly. Any pointers for the first time out would be much appreciated. I’m certain there are things I haven’t considered yet and the less surprises we come across, the better it should be.

I’m handling a pretty big share of the technical end, we will be using a laptop, Sonar and a MOTU Ultralite for the interface. A lot can go wrong with this setup, I guess it’s the same with whatever equipment used.

We will be using several vocal setups, with different reverb compression etc. per song which will be activated through a Behringer 1010 MIDI pedal, by activating a grouped sets of echos coinciding with each numbered pedal. Pedal 1 sends CC38 to the DAW then activates echo group 1 for song 1, pedal 2, CC39, echo group 2, song 2 etc. But using it for that purpose leaves me with the problem of manually changing synth patches.

It’s just a little clunky the way I’m doing it now. It works ok, but I was hoping maybe some of you guys might have a better idea how to implement all of this? I would just like it all to setup on one button press, rather than fumble through 6 banks of sounds trying to find the right patches.

Well in either case, I'll let you folks no how it goes. Actually if it wasn't for this forum, I probably wouldn't have actually taken the dive, to give live performance a shot. At one time I was perfectly content just staying within the confines of my basement. So thanks, I think

Good or bad I guess it was inevitable, I would either do ok, or make a fool of myself. I'll find out soon enough.

If its out doors, make sure you do a sound check (OUTDOORS)a week or two before you play the gig to make sure your reverbs are right for the outdoor setting.

If you are using a MAC it should be no problem "except" make sure you have a very VERY stable power supply.

Just another rule of thumb, bass output for outdoor gigs require more power and a higher volume setting than indoors.

Stay chilly - that is key. I trained myself hard but got to where my panic attacks only last about 6 seconds. A quick "Holy sh*t! What am I doing!" and then its get down to business time.

Let your hands do the work. If you're rehearsed anywhere near enough you body knows what to do. Start thinking about it too hard and your flow is can be interrupted. If you're playing fast that is particularly important.

Don't worry. It ain't nothing but a thing. Lots of people do it. Have done it and will do it some more.

A good rule is never drink more than one beer before going on and avoid that if you can. (Don't want to have to pee half way through yr set)
Don't smoke anything! (screws with your meter)

And no matter if you are great - or if you bomb. You're out there! Your tunes, your work. That is what matters. (plus you'll learn more in one gig than in ten rehearsals)

One more thing - I've played some rough rooms in my day but for the most part - people want to like you. Ride that.

Best of luck
Talbot

I can't help you on all that technical stuff. We just have amps and a PA. As far as performance is concerned once you have your sound dialed in JUST LOOK LIKE YOU'RE HaVING A GOOD TIME even if you're not. Enjoy it. Audience won't like it no matter how well you sound if you LOOK UNHAPPY. Music is supposed to be fun.

Good advice guys thanks a lot.

RGMix Hey first of all thanks for the advice on the previous project. The sound quality of the mixes Mike and I do are definitely improving. I got the mixing and mastering as separate stages now, which helps in keeping each process from being confused towards their specific goals.

They have a full PA, monitor setup and a sound guy. I don’t know what this looks like yet, but most of the band excluding myself have done performances before. We still have a while but I’ll make sure we have the details all set before it happens. I don’t want to be messing with much at the last minute. I think that’s the biggest cause of stress, the idea of having to mess with something technical while people in the audience wait. I just want it to start out smooth and to stay that way. If we can start off running, then I’m pretty confident it’ll go over fine.

Mike I know exactly what you’re talking about and any problems occur anytime I think too much about what I’m playing. Once back in the groove I don’t have any problems staying there for a while. It’s strange, I thought for sure, I was the only one that happens to. Like all of the sudden you get this flash and a quick panic occurs and you worry about which chord is next. Keys have it pretty easy, for most parts it will be background and if I skip something in that second, it shouldn’t turn out tragic. It’s easy to say that, but I still get flustered on occasion. I dislike those seconds in time that seem to last forever, until muscle memory takes back over.

Will do Bob and thanks. The playing should be practiced enough, but it’s not hard to forget it’s a performance. With all that will be going on it’s easy to lose awareness of the surroundings. I’ll have to make it a point to look up every once in a while.

Good luck with your event. Outdoor gigs are fun!

Suggestions:

A dry run outdoors is a great idea. Same time of day if you can to replicate the effects of sun and shadows.

KISS- Keep It Simple Sherlock. Don't get too tricky with effects and patches causing you to get lost scrolling menus while the band waits. If you can create "scenes" for your patches and number them you can create 1 button presets and just label your set list "scene 14" etc. Stay focused on the music and not the effect patches. 98% of the audience won't notice the cool delay patch you used, but everyone will notice if you are having fun and grooving with the tunes.

Make sure everyone has a good monitor mix. Outdoors feels pretty naked your first time.

Finally have fun, relax, listen to each other and trust your band mates. There will be some bum notes, some missed cues, and some unexpected surprises. Welcome to live music and enjoy the ride.

Good Luck, the only advice I can give is just act like you own it man!

And have fun!

What's that old saying about imagining your audience naked? well, make sure you imagine they're butt ugly too so you don't lost in your imagination

I'd say try to get started as soon as you walk on stage. That's the most tense moment, at least for me - waiting to start. Last but not least, don't concentrate on the audience - concentrate on the music, until you've calmed down / relaxed - then you'll start enjoying yourself and as the others said, the crowd will pick up on the fun.

Record your performance! I'd love to see it!
Christian

Have fun !


I go on stage with the same empty mind set I cultivated for fighting.
Don't concern yourself with what if after the initial preparations are done
It is enough to just be present in the now.
When it's time to play ... PLAY

Only drawback is if I do too good a job the music gets blocked as well.

In my experience there is nothing like performing in public.

lalong wrote:Well I have spent all my music time in recording and creating original music. Some of it decent, lol some of perhaps not so much so. A few months ago I joined a progressive rock band and my first live performance will be on Aug 11th at the 4-H Sommerset county fair, in Bridgewater NJ.

I’m a little nervous, this is the groups first live appearance so I’m hoping it will go well. The group are good folks with a strong urge for the stage. I’m not so much so, for me it will be great if it just sounds good and goes smoothly. Any pointers for the first time out would be much appreciated. I’m certain there are things I haven’t considered yet and the less surprises we come across, the better it should be.

I’m handling a pretty big share of the technical end, we will be using a laptop, Sonar and a MOTU Ultralite for the interface. A lot can go wrong with this setup, I guess it’s the same with whatever equipment used.

We will be using several vocal setups, with different reverb compression etc. per song which will be activated through a Behringer 1010 MIDI pedal, by activating a grouped sets of echos coinciding with each numbered pedal. Pedal 1 sends CC38 to the DAW then activates echo group 1 for song 1, pedal 2, CC39, echo group 2, song 2 etc. But using it for that purpose leaves me with the problem of manually changing synth patches.

It’s just a little clunky the way I’m doing it now. It works ok, but I was hoping maybe some of you guys might have a better idea how to implement all of this? I would just like it all to setup on one button press, rather than fumble through 6 banks of sounds trying to find the right patches.

Well in either case, I'll let you folks no how it goes. Actually if it wasn't for this forum, I probably wouldn't have actually taken the dive, to give live performance a shot. At one time I was perfectly content just staying within the confines of my basement. So thanks, I think

Good or bad I guess it was inevitable, I would either do ok, or make a fool of myself. I'll find out soon enough.

When you get to the gig, you don't have time to worry about the gear, or anything else. Just know your parts very well and play them with the drummer.

If you're in the band, just let 'er rip....have fun with it.



97% of the people in the audience want you to do well. In other words, they are "for" you and hoping you succeed in providing good music for the event.

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of focusing on that other 3%. They're always there but they don't matter.

A good rule is never drink more than one beer before going on and avoid that if you can. (Don't want to have to pee half way through yr set)
Don't smoke anything! (screws with your meter)

Some of the best advice so far. Anything cold, carbonated or alcoholic screws up your vocal chords, I drink either coffee or room temperature water with a lot of lemon juice. The lemon juice helps keep the vocal chords clear.

Alcohol makes you play sloppy. 2 beers and I don't want you onstage with me any more. Weed makes me lose my concentration and play sloppy, and make mistakes. I only do it on an already really bad night. Occasionally I'll actually start playing better but usually it makes no difference. I just don't worry about it as much.

With your setup a set list is mandatory. I like a set list anyway rather than standing around onstage looking stupid while we try to figure out what to play next. I can't understand why most local amateur bands strongly resist a set list...it makes a huge difference.

As George said, clear your head. I go onstage ready to rock, no worries, no butterflies, but then I've done this for over 30 years, and I KNOW I can perform. That's important, KNOW you can do it. Don't think you can. KNOW you can.

Do a dress rehearsal. In your stage clothes, full PA and equipment, imagine an audience is there, and perform all out for that imaginary audience. You want to know exactly what is going to happen before it happens.

Do a thorough sound check. Try your toughest song during the sound check. With one band years ago that's when we would try new songs to see if we were ready to add them to the set list. It takes 2 minutes or less to scratch one out and add the new one.

After everything is set, don't touch the amps. That's one of the toughest things to do, but once it's there leave it alone. Probably the number one mistake most bands make. You get louder and louder as the night wears on, and by the 3rd set it's nothing but mush. I use my Super Reverb as master volume for the whole band. I you can't hear it, we're too loud. It's 45 watts, so that gives us a good solid volume level without being too loud for most clubs. For some small clubs I can only run it a little over half volume, but I refuse to turn it up, I make the band turn down.

No more than 5 seconds between songs. Yeah that's tough, but once you lose their attention it's really tough to get it back. It's easy to keep it. A good front man who can talk to the audience for about 15 seconds every 3rd - 4th song or so is a very good thing. That gives me plenty time to switch guitars or check tuning.

Get everyone together and decide on your appearance. What you look like matters. I refuse to show up looking like I just left someone's backyard BBQ. I wear street clothes to set up then change into stage clothes before getting onstage. And look like you're having fun no matter what.

Be sure everything is in tune. Someone like me is sure to be in the audience, I have near perfect pitch and I notice every note that is out of tune when even the band has no idea it's off.

Don't look directly at anyone. Look slightly above their heads. It seems to them you're looking straight at them, but you don't connect with anyone and get distracted.

I love stage props. That's a matter of preference, but I keep a rubber fish on my mic cable, several crazy hats including the one in my avatar, lots of stage clothes, jackets, sunglasses a foot wide, I'll throw guitar picks into the audience on a really good night, I've been known to run offstage and do solos on the dance floor, or on a table, rocking out with whoever is out there, make faces, have someone hit the whammy bar for me at times, whatever I can think of. It's a show...make it entertaining.

Don't just stand there and play, move around onstage.

I'm sure there's more but I can't think of anything else right now...

Just walk out there and rockem
If you drink then drink
If you smoke then smoke
A set list is a good thing
If nervous just concentrate on the set list
Try to feed off the postive energy in the crowd
Do everything you can to make it enjoyable

Have fun! Everything else is easy then.

If you have a trusted friend/fan/family member, that knows your music they're great to have around. It's nice having someone you can trust to take some of the burdens off of your back. If they are capable of pushing the right buttons at the right time... train em. Keep em at the side of the stage. I haven't been in a working band for many years but we had some great guys that supported us in so many ways. It allowed us to focus on the show.
Oh... and heat and humidity sucks azz on guitars. Bring fans for on stage just in case there isn't enough to go around. Plus the fans blowing your hair make you look like a rock star
Like everyone else said have fun with it. You get to be someone else for a few hours.
Damn i miss it.
Rock on!