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Post by nevnbron on Dec 14, 2006 22:41:37 GMT
Staying off the funny stuff is vital. It doesn't free the mind it just dulls your edge. Remember, they are out to enjoy themselves, you are there to work. It's not hard work and can be fun (except for packing up) and staying sharp will make a difference on whether or not you get asked back - Nev
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Post by terriandralph on Jan 7, 2007 23:16:05 GMT
One thing I found out is that it helps to have at least one major song of the major artists to cover yourself (one song by the Beatles, one song by the Rolling Stones, etc.) This is especially true if there is a Doors fan in your audience. We had one person come up to ask us to play a Doors song, and since we didn't know any, we thought we would suggest another song as a substitute. The person got very upset. This was at an NCO club, and it was a little scary.
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Post by thingyy on Jan 7, 2007 23:30:04 GMT
People Are Strange , Love Her Madly and Alabama Moon are good for punters on the turps all night.
What is an NCO club ?
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Post by terriandralph on Jan 8, 2007 19:34:27 GMT
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Post by ccladdaghh on Jan 9, 2007 16:54:32 GMT
Hi,
Thanks so much for your advise. I appreciate the fact that this thread has been pulled together and the time you've taken to add your suggestions.
I want to bookmark this threat !! in case I ever have the nerve to get up in front of an audience. :-)
Thanks again
Rose
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Post by flicker66 on Feb 6, 2007 22:11:11 GMT
I've found that the following goes well:
I like lots of time - at least two hours - to set up the kit and soundcheck before we're due on-stage. I like to keep our soundchecks brief, just usually one song and also a song we're not due to play in the sets. Make sure you find the person who booked you or whoever's likely to be paying you afterwards.
Kick off with a few words to say hello, who you are and then kick it with three well-known songs. If you're down for starting at 9 p.m, it can take until the second set - around 10.15 or so - for the crowd to get a few down them and in the mood for singing and dancing so make the second set more uptempo than the first one. Keep the banter to a minimum and don't leave too long between songs. People are suprisingly used to dancing in clubs where one track moves seamlessly into another.
Golden rule: whatever happens, keep playing! I've kept playing when fights have broken out, emergency services scream by outside, bits of gear stop working etc.
That's about it...oh and try and enjoy yourself!
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Post by lfc1892 on Feb 13, 2007 17:09:59 GMT
Great advice on here guys! Thanks a mill.
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Post by belle on Feb 15, 2007 15:40:33 GMT
Agree with all of the above especially: 1. Watch the volume by watching your audience 2. dont turn your back on them 3. NEVER swear on stage - even if the gig is 'rough' 4. a drunk on stage is as usefull as custard to chips 5. no pissing about between tracks - kick in within 30 secs - MAX!! 6. look like you are enjoying it - especially when you are not 7. leave time to get there, set up, soundcheck. 8. if its 10pm on stage - its 10 pm end of, get on that stage. 9. keep your setup simple, if you can, have a plan B if something breaks. 10. if a groupie smiles at you - don't look a gift horse in the mouth  |
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Post by civicman on Mar 6, 2007 6:10:31 GMT
If I'm playing a three niter I never start off with the same song everynight. I always change the order everynight. If you don't the staff can time their breaks to your songs. I've heard waitresses complain about this. The only time I will keep the same order is if the staff are all different on the second night. One other bit of advice: the only people you should let sing are the boss' wife/daughter/girlfriend. All others are either really bad or super good. And you don't want to follow that. I've noticed that in the past I have let female singers get up and do their thing only to discover later on that they have left lipstick traces all over the microphone screen. After awhile this stuff builds up and impairs the frequency response. Also, there's a health issue on account of bacteria can build up on that screen and you may end up battling nasty colds. Not good for a singer. Sometimes these wannabe singers try to trick you into letting them get up and sing. Some pretty thing will coyly ask if you know any Patsy Cline or Tina Turner. If you answer yes, they almost invariably ask: "Can I sing it?" Then you have no excuse for not letting her get up. Don't fall for this. Even if you know every song she suggests you must stand firm and say no. You wouldn't believe how many times this has happened to me. Whenever I sing TRacy Chapman's ;Give me One reason', they come out of the woodwork all wanting to sing this tune. Even while I'm in the middle of singing it. Unbelievable.
Civicman
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Post by pmalcolm on Mar 6, 2007 13:43:02 GMT
If people want to get up and sing perhaps you should suggest the local karaoke bar!  |
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Post by rickmabus on Mar 6, 2007 16:52:20 GMT
Hi Everyone! After reading all the posts I pretty much agreewith them..Be on Time..Variety in song selections ...not much talking in between..etc..but no one mentioned if someone had a request what should you do? For me, if I know it naturally I'd play and sing it but if I didn't know it, I'd sing another song by that particular artist or Sometimes I might know just the music and not the words so I'd just play the music and they usually knew all the words anyway! I have been performing for about 10 years as a semi pro and about 10 years as a pro singer and the last 3 years as a singer/keyboardist..Oh, I have also been a Karaoke dj in-between other gigs; As far as anyone asking to perform with me, if I am singing with my keyboard,which is what I do exclusively now,if it's the owner or a birthday person or something like that, I might let them sing but wait until your break or anytime when you are not onstage to talk to them and ask them what they want to sing..the last thing you want to do is be up on stage fumbling around trying to figure out chordss and such while everyone is waiting! Just some of my tips for what they are worth! Have a Great Day Everyone! Kaye and Rick
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Post by Tubbs on Mar 8, 2007 17:53:45 GMT
Turn the echo off on the mic. when talking, let em think ur voice really is that good!
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Post by sweetk2678 on Mar 10, 2007 14:03:28 GMT
As I am relatively new to this game (5 years) it was good to read everyone's advice and see that I am doing most everything that was mentioned. I definitely agree with what was said in regards to thinking someone wasn't enjoying themselves and then having them come over to say how much they liked it, I have learnt that it is best to just give my all every time, there will be ones who like it and ones who don't!
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Post by thingyy on Mar 11, 2007 2:25:37 GMT
Never do 2 songs in a row in the same key or with the same beat. Build you sets up and make the next set start at the same tempo as the middle of the previouse set.
Try not to do Wonderfull Tonight at the end of each gig.
Have Fri night and Sat night sets so as not tlo be to predictable.
Have a bit of chat with the punters.
Praise the bar staff {that way you get free grog}
Any guest singers try and find out what key they sing in and go up 2.
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Post by rosybud1956 on Mar 12, 2007 13:49:50 GMT
I suggest getting to know your audience and what they want before you start your show as I have been to shows where the muso is singing all the songs he likes and very few of them are known by the audience. A quick way to lose the support and attention of the audience, and maybe, more bookings.
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Post by jacqui01 on Mar 16, 2007 14:52:28 GMT
Some great tips here, all true, Keep Smiling and always be smart are important, Nice clean shoes, (Trainers  No Way) And Guys be careful flirting with females in the Audience if their fellas are there, the girls will love it, but their blokes may well get P**** off, I have a friend of mine who got a good hiding outside the pub from a jealous boyfriend! Jacqui |
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Post by thingyy on Mar 16, 2007 21:30:47 GMT
Thats why I dont play Gay Bars.
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Post by headlessbill on Mar 19, 2007 13:48:31 GMT
Some things I've found that have held me in good stead over the years....
Always be VERY polite to the guys the run the pub / club / venue..even if you think they are tw*ts..!!...LOL
ALWAYS chat with the audience ...Eye contact is absolutely essential...They like to feel you are engaging with them...
ALWAYS thank them at the end of the night for being such a great crowd .......
ALWAYS look like you're enjoying yourself...even if you're not....
Don't arrive with minutes to spare
And if anyone wants to get up & sing......Use the old 'Sorry Mate - I'm not insured' excuse to fob 'em off...!!!!!
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Post by brucehinely on Mar 24, 2007 18:04:53 GMT
I've been gigging this one gig for 15 years and it's cool,they come to hear the music and what i say too-it's werid- if i just play ,they ask am i sick,i just go with the flow
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Post by civicman on Apr 13, 2007 21:46:09 GMT
I always double check the money at the end of the gig. I remember once they overpaid me by $50.00. Of course I pointed this out and they were quite surprised with my honesty. However, I can't recall if I was ever asked back.
Civicman
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No Way)