Tips for Gigging Musicians -Avoid These Mistakes When Playing Live

These are the mistakes I have learned NOT to make in my many years as a solo acoustic musician who gigs regularly. If you want to get more music gigs and keep the ones you already have you will want to avoid doing some of these common (and sometimes obvious) things. I wish you the best in your gigging musical journey

[@gregsmith29]

Great advice as always, the Don't Drink advice is priceless. When I went from "Costumer" to "Employee" , My shows improved dramatically.

[@FrankPersico]

Very good call … thanks for sharing w us

[@chrisgoodenough1374]

I always arrive at least an hour before start…after setting up (which only takes about 15-20 min) I spend the rest of the pre-gig mingling with the early crowd, ask for requests and generally just build a rapport. As I don’t have a sound guy, I’ll find someone that seems like they know music enough to let me know after the first song if the guitar/vocal balance and volume are appropriate. Then, I always publicly thank my impromptu sound guy. My biggest tip of the night often comes from that guy.

[@FrankPersico]

Smart. Thanks for sharing with us all

[@jefff6167]

Fantastic video, spot on. Many of those suggestions can and should apply to almost any employee who wants to get ahead, be taken seriously and be professional.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much

[@australiansleddogtours2548]

Love your vid! I’m a seasoned musician that played in bands all my life, and now starting to do solo but even with that experience it’s different with solo gigs. Brett.

[@FrankPersico]

I really appreciate the comment. Yeah for sure solo gigs is its own sub category lol .. you will do great I’m sure

[@australiansleddogtours2548]

Frank, if you ever come to Australia…drop in and see me and I’ll set you up for gigs in my mountain location and coast. Brett.

[@leftygeezer]

100% best advice. Thanks, Frank.

[@FrankPersico]

My pleasure. All the best to u

[@frankhinckley3756]

Took a hiatus from solo gigs about 5 years ago but looking to get back into it. Thanks for these videos Frank. Btw. Some of the dive bars I played in a t shirt IS dressing up. 😊

[@FrankPersico]

You are very welcome.. haha yes that is true. I've played my share of dives as well and you are right. LOL

[@MrCheswickMusic]

Hey, cheers Frank, sound solid advice, thanks man

[@FrankPersico]

Any time!

[@guitarnuccio]

Great tips!

[@FrankPersico]

Thank u!

[@DanielLopez-ip7oe]

Thanks for the tips.

[@FrankPersico]

My pleasure: I hope they help

[@perrym10161]

Well done!

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much

[@writereducator]

I'm pretty new at performing, but these all seem like good points. Being a teacher helps me because I am good at doing everything in my power to avoid disaster!

[@FrankPersico]

Hahaha very good:) those skills will come in handy

[@migueldemaria3830]

good stuff. a lot of musicians really shoot themselves in their foot (feet?) by not following these "common sense" rules

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much. Have a good one

[@robertgrimsted877]

Definitely don’t drink you can get forgetful what you’re doing make mastakes keep a clear head even if you’re nervous love the vids frank 😀🎸

[@FrankPersico]

Very true!

[@pferrara929]

Showing up early for a gig also gives you the psychological advantage with the crowd. They will automatically assume you are part of the establishment when they walk in and see you already set up.(for what it’s worth.)😏

[@FrankPersico]

Couldn’t agree more. It just gives you that ability to mark out the turf so to speak. I personally have to be early . But i am slightly neurotic lol

[@LennyTim]

thank you.

[@FrankPersico]

my pleasure

[@johngdrakeguitar]

Spare gear is critical. I keep an extra amp in the car, mics, cables, strings, batteries, even a “woody” type sound hole pickup in my gig bag, (pickups can and do go bad). Paranoid, maybe. But like you, I don’t care for excuses. I’ve had to announce that I was taking a 5 minute break to change gear but I haven’t had to tell anyone I couldn’t finish a job. Good video.

[@FrankPersico]

Absolutely. Same here been lucky all these years. Well there was the one time I showed up to gig with empty guitar case but …nevermind lol

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

I thought drummers were the only ones that forget things, like their snare, kick drum pedal, etc. I forgot one of my keyboards once, oh well.

[@duardbandy]

Great stuff! New to your page. The sound volume is very important to me. My motto for sound is "be heard not loud" I have been solo giging for a few years now. Booking still seems so cumbersome to me. I'v created spead sheets tracking contact info and perfered methods of contact from all the different venues I play at. The human factor is so inconsistent, I am not sure if building the spread sheet was worth it. I am willing to deal with it because I love it so much. Am I just being unrealistic that the process can be smooth?

[@FrankPersico]

nothing in this business is ever smooth lol. just hang in there :)

[@allengoyne]

Based on my own experience and self reflection, I can't drink at all before a gig. And this is just from years smoking weed, drinking trying to find a balance, never really hitting the sweet spot. The only thing that works for me is drink water. Alcohol after I am done and paid, if that, usually not until I get home, and even then I'm probably tired and just ready to go to bed. Reading this makes me feel like I'm really old. I do think that I probably talk too much between songs. A lot of times I will tell a quick tale of the history of the song. I might need to scale that back a bit. The audience probably doesn't care about the session players, producer, or the gear used as much as I do LOL

[@FrankPersico]

Half the complaints I get in my comments is that I talk too much … I feel ya! Thanks for the comment

[@robertgrimsted877]

Make sure you tune up two guitars one spare just in case a sting breaks or something else goes wrong spare batteries are always a good idea get some body to watch your equipment if you use the bathroom or if you’re alway from your stuff

[@FrankPersico]

Good call

[@robertgrimsted877]

Playing in a group is better but ist really hard playing on your own if do you must have big balls ha haha

[@FrankPersico]

In a perfect world I would have a working band going as well but so hard to make it work. Personalities, schedules and the fact that venues don’t pay well makes it really tough

[@lumberpilot]

Also, avoid wigs.

[@FrankPersico]

Lolol I’ll try