Performance Prep

As someone once said, “The show must go on.” This could not be more correct. Many times I have found myself playing with a broken string or my signal completely cutting off during a performance. It is definitely an unpleasant experience to go through as a performer, especially when it is something out of your control like feedback or the culprit is a faulty mic stand. So to help you, here are some things that I find myself doing before a performance.

Always have your music well learned. (Have you heard the word practice?)

Memorize, memorize, memorize! It is not the solution to all problems but definitely will not hurt.

Check all your equipment before performing with it
– Instrument
– Pedals
– Cables
– Mics
– Anything and everything you plan to use

Don’t forget Routine Maintenance
– Change your strings regularly
– Properly intonate your instrument

Perform your music for your
– Family
– Friends
– Pets
– Imaginary audience

Remember as Murphy’s Law states, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” and as Denis Waitley said, “Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.”

-Jacob Vallejo
,
guitar instructor