How to Gig Like a Pro: Tips for Getting Solo Acoustic Gigs!

If you're looking to land some solo acoustic gigs, this video is for YOU!

How to Gig Like a Pro: Tips for Getting Solo Acoustic Gigs!

1. Get to Know the Scene 0:22
go check out the venues and performers in your area. This is a must! See what kind of music that is being played (and reacted to) and see where you fit into that mix.
If you like a venue that currently has live music, and you think that you’ll fit in, start frequenting that venue. Make friends with the staff & bartender and find out who to talk to about getting booked.
Smile. Be cool, be patient. Tip.
If possible, befriend someone who is gigging and (if they’re willing) pick their brain about what they are getting paid, who to contact at certain venues etc...

2. Preparation 1:41
Once you find a venue that fits with your genre, prepare your set accordingly.
know your vocal range and skills as a musician. If it doesn’t fit, don’t play it.
I recommend the sheet music app https://forscore.co/ and Blue-turn page turner https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products...
Rehearse and record yourself a lot! Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can nail a song (even if you love the tune) use audio and video recording (so you can see yourself)
Smile, don’t make weird faces.

3. Gear 3:09
Make sure you’ve set up your gear in the garage and played through the whole set.
see where you can make the load-in load-out more efficient. Have a cart. Don’t set up unnecessary equipment.
Consider buying the BOSE L1 system or similar. Great sound for a solo musician, Easy to set up, no need for stage monitors, low chance of feedback.
https://www.bose.com/p/portable-pa/l1...
Keep it simple! Even if you’re a genius. Nobody will notice or care about your multi-effects pedal, and there’s more that can go wrong if you’re setting up and using a bunch of gear.

4. Be Ready for Anything 3:59
you should have redundancies in the car or your gear bag. I gig with 2 of everything essential. 2 guitars, 2 mic’s, 2 amps, doubles of all my cables, 2 capos’. I don’t gig with a 2nd pedalboard b/c I can finish the gig without if necessary.
If something does happen unexpectedly, try to finish the tune.
Then simply say “Sorry folks, I’m having technical difficulties, I’ll be right back” and take a break and fix it.
you’re going to make mistakes, have feedback, be ignored, and not get called back. Don’t panic. Just keep your focus and move on.
If you get to the gig and you’re “double booked” and they pick the other performer, just say OK no worries. Have a beer watch some of their set and see why it wasn’t you that they picked. LEARN from it. Put the ego aside. Don’t make enemies, make friends. The staff has more important things to do than worry about you. Don’t be a problem for them.

5. Engage with Your Audience (or not…) 5:55
Read the room while you’re setting up. Is it loud or soft in volume? Are people already 2 drinks deep and ready to party ASAP or is it a Country Club dinner setting? Match the intensity or lack of with the first tune.
If folks are ready to get down, then pick you best fun tunes and get going! Smile it makes you look comfortable even if you’re not. Sometimes I like to engage with folks on mic, I only do this if it’s obvious that they’re having a blast, singing along tipping etc.… Don’t try to engage with the dudes who are watching the hockey game – they will ignore you. Just play the gig.
If it’s a dinner set, switch gears don’t talk on the mic. Play some background tunes - don’t be loud!

BONUS tips: 7:00
#1 mistake made. - Don’t be too loud. It’s better if you’re asked to turn up than to turn down.

Don’t take forever to set up or tear down. A solo performer should be in a ready in about 20 minutes. Tear down, same. Don’t hang around if you see that the staff wants to go home, or needs to put back tables and chairs where you are set up. Get packed up and out of the way.

  / dougedgell  
https://www.fingersonthefrets.com/home
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