So why have I done this?
Several reasons.
For non-musicians, these “rules” give a glimpse into what goes into a musician’s preparation and thinking on a gig.
As far as musicians go, I’ve collected these “rules” primarily for today’s younger players who are starting out with their own “gigging life” and want to be more “street-smart” about the process of gigging.
When my generation was first going out to gig, many of us were in our early teens.
There were more opportunities for “cross-pollination” among musicians of different ages and calibers than there is today.
Each of my first gigs seemed like a “how-to’”, a “what-not-to-do”, or a “master class” experience in gigging.
Musicians like Hal Schiff, Lloyd Johnston, Tim Laushey, John Spragg, Al Smith, Vinnie Marinelli, Jim Daley, Frank Germin, Jack Malloy, Warren Keizer, Joe Laird, Russ Williams, Al Santoro, and Paul Richardson gave me a shot when I was just starting out, some of them hiring me when I was still in high school, and I owe them more than I can say.
Then there were guys a just few years older than me like Pete BarenBregge and Larry Spenser who were great mentors and role models.
These “rules” aren’t meant to be edicts to restrict having fun doing what you do.
In fact, many musicians already exhibit these behaviors not because they are “rules” but because they have become deeply rooted habits and lead to successful gigs.
One musician’s oppressive rule is another musician’s ingrained good habit.
These suggestions are offered to free you from having to think about the efficacy of what you are about to do in any given gigging situation. You want to do as little thinking as possible on a gig and relying on instinct and good gigging habits.
Moreover, all these recommendations help you effectively communicate and engage your listeners.
While they can lead to financial dividends, ultimately these guidelines will remind you that the gratitude you want from your audience is dependent on the choices you make in real time on a gig.
You will be appreciated more than you can imagine as a musician once you start being appreciative of all that others have done for you.
The “Rules”
Gig Rule #1: The client is always right – in real time.
Gig Rule #2: Gently smile – not grin - at all times.
Gig Rule #3: You were hired to play music – not to be funny, tell stories, teach, or be therapeutic.
Gig Rule #4: Have a set list with more songs prepared than you will need.
Gig Rule #5: Get the venue’s wifi password and log on before you start to play so you can look up a requested song’s lyrics on the fly.
Gig Rule #6: If you have never played the venue before, bring extra extension cords as well as a few ground lifts in case of sixty-cycle hum issues.
Gig Rule #7: Pack an emergency bag with extra strings, extra bridge pins, an extra XLR cord, nine volt batteries, and _______________.
Gig Rule #8: Start on time and play an extra song at the end.
Gig Rule #9: Before you finish a song, know what the next song will be and start it as quickly as possible.
Gig Rule #10: The only person you are allowed to make a joke about when the mic is live is yourself. Anything else is an unnecessary risk.
Gig Rule #11: Don’t swear. Imagine that everyone in front of you has the morals of a born-again Christian.
Gig Rule #12: Find out what songs people what to hear and then play them.
Gig Rule #13: Make eye contact with the audience at least every ten seconds.
Gig Rule #14: Understand and perform to the lowest common denominator in the room and only deviate when fulfilling requests.
Gig Rule #15: Solicit requests on a face-to-face basis and then play them.
Gig Rule #16: If you have to announce any kind of information, write everything out - including phonetic spellings of tricky names.
Gig Rule #17: People hear what they see so give them both: something to hear as well as see. Don’t be a statue. Occasionally attract the customers’ attention by moving.
Gig Rule #18: Take the fewest amount of breaks as possible.
Gig Rule #19: It is better to be not loud enough than to be too loud.
Gig Rule #20: Don’t let customers sit in, sing, or play.
Gig Rule #21: Don’t perform at a static volume. Always be looking for ways to give variety to your playing and singing and change it up at least every four bars.
Gig Rule #22: Even if food is promised, don’t expect to eat.
Gig Rule #23: When the set or gig is over, don’t linger: get off the stand quickly.
Gig Rule #24: Leave business cards everywhere.
Gig Rule #25: Thank someone.
And by the way, thanks for reading this.
Several reasons.
For non-musicians, these “rules” give a glimpse into what goes into a musician’s preparation and thinking on a gig.
As far as musicians go, I’ve collected these “rules” primarily for today’s younger players who are starting out with their own “gigging life” and want to be more “street-smart” about the process of gigging.
When my generation was first going out to gig, many of us were in our early teens.
There were more opportunities for “cross-pollination” among musicians of different ages and calibers than there is today.
Each of my first gigs seemed like a “how-to’”, a “what-not-to-do”, or a “master class” experience in gigging.
Musicians like Hal Schiff, Lloyd Johnston, Tim Laushey, John Spragg, Al Smith, Vinnie Marinelli, Jim Daley, Frank Germin, Jack Malloy, Warren Keizer, Joe Laird, Russ Williams, Al Santoro, and Paul Richardson gave me a shot when I was just starting out, some of them hiring me when I was still in high school, and I owe them more than I can say.
Then there were guys a just few years older than me like Pete BarenBregge and Larry Spenser who were great mentors and role models.
These “rules” aren’t meant to be edicts to restrict having fun doing what you do.
In fact, many musicians already exhibit these behaviors not because they are “rules” but because they have become deeply rooted habits and lead to successful gigs.
One musician’s oppressive rule is another musician’s ingrained good habit.
These suggestions are offered to free you from having to think about the efficacy of what you are about to do in any given gigging situation. You want to do as little thinking as possible on a gig and relying on instinct and good gigging habits.
Moreover, all these recommendations help you effectively communicate and engage your listeners.
While they can lead to financial dividends, ultimately these guidelines will remind you that the gratitude you want from your audience is dependent on the choices you make in real time on a gig.
You will be appreciated more than you can imagine as a musician once you start being appreciative of all that others have done for you.
The “Rules”
Gig Rule #1: The client is always right – in real time.
Gig Rule #2: Gently smile – not grin - at all times.
Gig Rule #3: You were hired to play music – not to be funny, tell stories, teach, or be therapeutic.
Gig Rule #4: Have a set list with more songs prepared than you will need.
Gig Rule #5: Get the venue’s wifi password and log on before you start to play so you can look up a requested song’s lyrics on the fly.
Gig Rule #6: If you have never played the venue before, bring extra extension cords as well as a few ground lifts in case of sixty-cycle hum issues.
Gig Rule #7: Pack an emergency bag with extra strings, extra bridge pins, an extra XLR cord, nine volt batteries, and _______________.
Gig Rule #8: Start on time and play an extra song at the end.
Gig Rule #9: Before you finish a song, know what the next song will be and start it as quickly as possible.
Gig Rule #10: The only person you are allowed to make a joke about when the mic is live is yourself. Anything else is an unnecessary risk.
Gig Rule #11: Don’t swear. Imagine that everyone in front of you has the morals of a born-again Christian.
Gig Rule #12: Find out what songs people what to hear and then play them.
Gig Rule #13: Make eye contact with the audience at least every ten seconds.
Gig Rule #14: Understand and perform to the lowest common denominator in the room and only deviate when fulfilling requests.
Gig Rule #15: Solicit requests on a face-to-face basis and then play them.
Gig Rule #16: If you have to announce any kind of information, write everything out - including phonetic spellings of tricky names.
Gig Rule #17: People hear what they see so give them both: something to hear as well as see. Don’t be a statue. Occasionally attract the customers’ attention by moving.
Gig Rule #18: Take the fewest amount of breaks as possible.
Gig Rule #19: It is better to be not loud enough than to be too loud.
Gig Rule #20: Don’t let customers sit in, sing, or play.
Gig Rule #21: Don’t perform at a static volume. Always be looking for ways to give variety to your playing and singing and change it up at least every four bars.
Gig Rule #22: Even if food is promised, don’t expect to eat.
Gig Rule #23: When the set or gig is over, don’t linger: get off the stand quickly.
Gig Rule #24: Leave business cards everywhere.
Gig Rule #25: Thank someone.
And by the way, thanks for reading this.
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