Tips
& Advice
10/15/01: Gitarrists, you can greatly reduce howling and unwanted feedback if you take the pickguard off and fill all the empty spaces of your guitar body(including the tremolo springs space) with mattress foam or industrial wool.
10/04/01: Drummers, always have an extra impact side bass drum head. If you break it during a show, the whole band is screwed.
9/18/01: Singers: learn a few jokes before playing. If a guitar string or drum head is broken, you'll need something to keep the crowd entertained. If your music isn't suitable to people laughing, memorize some poems.
9/11/01: For guitarists: If you are an agressive player and you skin your fingures a lot when you pick, try wrapping the parts of your fingers that you hit most with electrical tape - but make sure you don't make your fingeres too stiff to play!
9/9/01: Professionalism means courtesy to the clubs. No shows and last minute cancellations will get you a reputation of being unreliable. Club owners talk to each other and you won't get the bookings if you're labeled as a "no show" band.
9/5/01: Gaff tape is your best friend - not duct tape. Gaff might be a litte more expensive but at least you don't have the hassle of having the adhesive stuck to your cables. Also, when your gig is done its a lot easier to take the tape off. You can use the gaff for labeling equipment as well. REMEMBER GAFF TAPE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!
8/16/01: Singers:Water! Get in the habit of drinking at least three liters of water a day. Before you sing, room temp. water is the best thing for you. It takes 20 minutes for water to get to your larynx so drink it prior and during shows. Also, warm up your voice no matter how much your band makes fun of you. You have to listen to their tuning so screw'em! Find out if you sing correct. Guitars are replacable NOT YOUR VOICE!
8/15/01:Instead of buying a brand name drum hardware bag for like 150 bucks check out a hockey bag over at Sportmart, you can get a real nice one that has lasted me two years now, I picked it up for like 35 bucks!
12/22/00: When playing a gig, run the microphone and at least the bass and guitar through the P.A. and the drums if you can. This way there is a set of speakers where everything is coming out. Doing this prevents localizing the sound to one side of the room.
12/21/00: Hey Bass players - When trying to play bass, make sure you own one.
9/7/00: When writing songs have a positive message. Have compassion for someone besides yourself. Remember kids hear everything, set a good example, don't add to the problem. Being negative is what most have been taught, fix it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9/6/00: Never never never play if you dont like to. Everyone cal tell and it ruins the show.
9/6/00: Drummers, use "Gorrilla Snot" on sticks to increase your gripping capabilities, and play relaxed.
10/4/99: DON'T PLAY OR HIT LICKS DURING BREAKS BETWEEN SONGS. IT'S EGO DRIVEN,DISRUPTIVE AND GROSSLY UNPROFESSIONAL!
9/4/99: GUITARIST/vocalists: if using a multi-effects pedal make sure that you position the microphone so you can see the buttons while you are singing.
7/31/99: Here is a tip that might help you buying a bass or guitar. After buying a bass or guitar, buy new strings to put on. Some music stores put bad strings on display guitars and basses.
7/27/99: Ammo boxes from Army Surplus make wonderful cable boxes, they're waterproof and aren't about to lighten your account $150!
7/27/99: For the vocalists: have some hot tea (celestial seasonings peppermint works best) right before a show, it'll soothe your throat and make your voice *oh* so much happier... this is just an alternative to the whiskey & honey suggestion previosly mentioned on the tips page.
4/23/99: Duct tape is a bands best friend...
4/23/99: All guitarists/bassplayers - Try playing in front of a mirror to see what you look like, do this to avoid "fretstare" when you constantly look at your fretboard during a gig. Always try to look into a crowd when playing, but don't let it effect your playing - you'd look even worse then!!
4/12/99: Bass players and drummers: The best rehearsal tip is to think of how the bass and bass drum fit together with the groove of the song. Are you working together? Rehearse over and over again until the kick drum and bass are stylistically playing the same. Even if the parts are very much different, the nuances and style of your playing should be similar. Too many good bands sound terrible because the bass guitar and bass drum are 'fighting' each other. If you play in a dance oriented band, good dancers pick up on this instinctively, and are much more likely to get out on the floor. Listen to any of BB King's live recordings. It is a perfect example of what I am talking about.....
3/23/99: When playing drums (just like track or any other sport) stretch and warm up. Your body will thank you in the long run.
3/23/99: The band that travels to the gig together gets to the gig together--or doesn't. But at least everybody's together.
3/23/99: Always Be Professional. There's a reason they call it show BUSINESS!
3/23/99: Musicians, if you want to get gigs - and I mean good gigs, weekend gigs at popular clubs with other good bands - you have to network! Yeah, it sucks, but the truth of the matter (and there's no avoiding it) is that it ain't what you know, it's who you know. So go out as much as humanly possible to the clubs you want to play, and get to know the door guys, the bartenders, the sound guy, the owner or manager, and the other bands playing. This can literally mean the difference between your success or lack thereof. I've seen it work for people who are willing to devote the time and energy, and who are willing to sacrifice sleep and a social life. I've also seen many a good band that was too unmotivated to make it happen. So if you're serious, get out of the house! Good luck!
2/22/99: A good way to turn away a well meaning listener who wants to buy you a drink, is to tell them that you have to drive the rest of the band home, and if they would just put the money for the drink in the "tip jar". You'll stay sober and in top form, make a little extra money, and the listener will be happy. Always thank them for the compliment.
1/10/99:
When writing the band bio for your press kit, try to be specific in describing the type of music you play. I know we musicians hate labeling ourselves, but it is important for the contact to know. Trust me, you wouldn't believe how many kits I get that say something to the effect of .... "The band's music defies classification and is an ever-expanding collection of rock, rap, country, and intense techo layering"... HUH? Also, try to make your bio interesting. Think like a newspaper reporter. One page is absolutely fine. And avoid using all the flowery adjectives... such as.... best, great, incredible, wonderful, etc. The person reading it wants to make their own decision on whether your band is good.
12/3/98:
For the love of Christ, please tune before you start your set!!! It really irritates the audience when you have to tune after every song.
11/22/98:
Before going on tour soak your hands in salt hot water, twice a day for one month before you go on tour, it will help trust me.
11/18/98:
For a cheap cymbal bag use a pizza delivery bag. For a good cymbal stand bag use a golf club bag. When playing live, put extra sticks in your front jean pockets in case you drop one. The best tip ever, Never overplay.
10/14/98:
When in the selection procces
of potential Band members. If an individual tells you repeatedly on how
supportive their significant other is,be very cautious. If their signifigant
other has to be at Band practice all the time!
Cancel them!You will find
it to be a Big waste of time in the long run. They will eventually be forced
to quit!I have been through this many times, It doesnt ever work! Closed
practices with Band members only, is much more productive! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6/30/98:
Use the internet! Many sites (such as this one) offer free listings of your events! It doesn't take a brain surgeon to scout out these sites...create an e-mail send out listing and forward them your listings and news! After all, you've got a captive/targeted audience!
6/17/98:
When going into the studio, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. When your paying that much for time, it's much too expensive to be teaching everyone their parts when you could have done that at a cheap rehearsal room or even at home.
6/2/98:
Bass Players - For blisters on your fingers, soak fingertips in vinegar to speed up the hardening process (into callouses).
5/21/98:
Try to write ONE song every
day. Sure, most of em may suck, but every couple of weeks, you'll end up
with a gem.
Think of how many cool
tunes you'll have after a year!
5/8/98:
Make sure that when you schedule a show that you give yourself enough time to promote it...flyers/word of mouth/free web sites/and mailing lists are really good ways to promote if you don't have management or alot of money. also make sure that you are ready to play in front of a crowd before jumping into it..you need a reliable band that is ready to practice and work for a common goal...also you may want to keep an extra guitar around because a broken string during a show can bum out a crowd...
4/24/98:
When vocalizing and doing long refrains in songs, clench your butt cheeks when you feel you need to belt it out a little stronger or longer!
3/13/98:
Nevermind where you point your amp, treat your sound man like gold, he's controlling how you sound. (obviously a sound man)
3/8/98:
Never point your amp at
the sound man if you want to be in the house mix.
1/10/98:
Two words = Duct Tape!
1/10/98:
Foam weatherstripping is
a good head deadener for drum heads (when feminine pads are unavailable
)
1/10/98:
Boil your bass strings for
30 minutes to "revive" them when buying a new set isn't an option
1/8/98:
When changing strings on
your guitar - lightly run some steel wool over your frets to remove corrosion
and extend their life.
1/7/98:
Crackling pots on your gear
can often be "fixed" by spraying TV tuner cleaner directly into them.
1/7/98:
Putting cords in used bread
bags is a cheap way to keep them from getting tangled during transport.
1/6/98:
A warmed honey/whiskey mix
is great for strained/sore singer's voices.(Ed. note-not medically proven!)
1/5/98:
Shoes strings are a good
snare substitute if you need a quick fix on stage.
1/3/98:
Guitar/Bass players! Buy
a drum key and keep it in your case. Your drummer will thank you some day!
1/1/98:
Drummers! Use feminine hygiene
pads as a cheap substitute for deadening rings.
12/31/97:
Drummers! Lightly sand your sticks for a better grip.
