JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum First Gig Tonight

Hi there, this is my first post as I just recently discovered this great resource! I need some advice...I am performing my first "gig" tonight (singing and playing guitar) and I'm not so much nervous about the actual performance as I am about being on stage, all by myself. I am not sure how much I need to talk in between songs or if I need to introduce each of them. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Rachel

Hi Rachel. Welcome to JPF. What you do depends both on your audience and how you want to portray yourself on stage. When we know that, we'll be in a better position to give advice.

I am playing at a bar during happy hour - a mostly 40s crowd which tonight will include lots of family and family friends, as well as my husband and our friends around our age (25). Almost everyone will know me so I want to be "real" but not awkward. I will be singing some country, current pop, and some original (country/pop) songs with just my acoustic guitar.

Well, I don't sing, I don't play, but I've enjoyed several performers in the past few years. Here's what I've seen, maybe it'll be helpful. BTW, congrats on your gig!

they do intro each song, quickly, they'll play two or three uptempo before getting to a slower song. Those I've seen doing cover songs, they put in an original every third or fourth. I wouldn't talk too much, but do talk. If it's a smaller audience, especially. It'll make it feel more intimate. They get to know you, you get to see what's working. People will get up and walk around, talk, etc. . Don't dress too warm, you will be very warm on stage. Just play and sing and do have fun.

Caroline, thanks so much for the advice! It is right on par with what I was planning to do. Very much appreciated.

Rachel,

Be yourself. Talk to your friends and family as if you were, well, talking to your friends and family. I agree with Caroline, you don't need to talk a lot, and also, you should definitely do some songs back to back.

As you get more experience, you'll find that you can take your cue from the audience. Some audiences respond better than others to talking. Often it depends on why they're there. If they're there for food, they might not want a lot of chatter, or even to have to put down their knives and forks to clap. If they're there for socializing, maybe a little more talking. Sometimes they want you to be the program director for the evening, other times they want you to be the jukebox. Then there are the shows where they're there for you. And then, like I said, be yourself.

Have a good show!

Mike

Thanks so much, Mike, for taking the time to give such great advice.

I've been doing it for two months now, the solo gig thing, and I love it. I always like to use some humor, something about the songs that may be interesting to the audience about how I wrote or recorded it. If people know you have a CD because you mentioned it, you might just pick up a few sales between sets.

Also, talk to people you haven't met, if an audience member makes eye contact, say HI or whatever, ask them how they are, if you interact with them, they'll feel like you're there for THEM too. That goes a long way. Make yourself available, (without looking desperate! )maybe while packing up at the end of the night.

I've been doing it for two months now, the solo gig thing, and I love it. I always like to use some humor, something about the songs that may be interesting to the audience about how I wrote or recorded it. If people know you have a CD because you mentioned it, you might just pick up a few sales between sets.

Also, talk to people you haven't met, if an audience member makes eye contact, say HI or whatever, ask them how they are, if you interact with them, they'll feel like you're there for THEM too. That goes a long way. Make yourself available, (without looking desperate! )maybe while packing up at the end of the night.

Rachel,

I would suggest that you should try to seem at ease even though you will have butterflies in your stomach. No problem if you make a personal comment to someone you know in the name of appearing at ease. You can always say "How about those Rays!"

I would also pick out someone in the audience to look at while you are singing who will not be a distraction or make you nervous. Your husband perhaps, or a friend.

If you introduce songs, make it brief and to the point and don't drone on for five minutes about the background of a song you wrote.

Your confidence will be greatly improved if your sound system sounds good (especially to you) so get there early enough to set it up properly and dial it in. Make sure your guitar is in tune and check it periodically and any time you install or remove a capo.

If you are doing originals, dilute them with covers that people will know. Bar patrons want to hear their favorites - but don't do Jimmy Buffett (especially if you are in Florida).

I drink no alcohol if I am getting paid and very little other times at a performance.

Don't forget a tip jar!

Thanks Marc! I am so impressed by how helpful you all have been.

Colin, wow, so many great tips! I can tell you are very experienced. It's funny that you warned against Buffet - the first thing my uncle asked me was, "you playing Margaritaville?" Definitely not

It sounds like a lot of good advice so far. I'll just add that's it's good to mingle before you go on as well.

Just have fun, relax, and be yourself, it's easier when you are yourself...and good luck..you'll be fine, i'll be thinking of you..glyn

Hi Rachel,A little humor is good some times.If the host introduces you and you are playing your own songs and you want people to judge each one give the title before each one.Otherwise i let the songs speak for themselves.AJ

Hi everyone,

I'd just like to say thanks so much for all the great advice you gave me. I just got home, and I am so very happy with how it went tonight! I felt so comfortable from the very beginning and even got a standing ovation at the end! I can't wait to do it again!

Cheers,
Rachel

So, do you have any advice for the rest of us??

Well I am a very new newbie compared to all of you, but here's what I learned last night: go with the flow, be flexible, definitely mingle with the audience between sets, smile and relax, and expect that it will be loud and lots of people won't be listening...but there are also lots who will be so give it all you've got!

Congratulations for doing something very special not just for you, but for the ones there. Bet your family and friends were proud, and you probably will have fans for life of those you didn't know. Keep trying to get gigs, even warmups for some.

Happy for you! It's electric, isn't it? Makes you really feel alive!

John

COngrats! Glad it went well and you had a great time. Hope you become a regular and grow with your audience!

Rachel

'Atta boy, girl. I'm proud of you! Your first performance was a success. Here's to many more.

All the Best,
Mike

Rachel,The real test is coming .When you play some place where no one knows you and you think there is no one listening .Then a stranger or two who you would think would be the last person who would be listening comes up and tells you how good you are and how your songs touched them.That is a moment to savor and what makes it all worthwhile.AJ

Hi There,

Just be yourself, you wont get it 100 per cent right first time

If you have a good voice that's half the battle, If you are not comfortable talking between songs then dont do it, it will all come in time.

Remember that most of the audience deep down wish they could be as brave as you and try to entertain, others

You will have good nights and bad, and if you have talent you will do well , but it wont happen overnight

Lamorna, you've touched on something that is a very important aspect of performance. The audience's regard of a musician. Someone told me something years ago, that was a terrific piece of advice about performing. He said that while we singers are worrying about the audience liking us, the audience really wants the us to like them. If you show that you like the audience, even the talkers, you can win them over.