|
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Okay, I'm finally getting serious about doing some gigging and need some advice/info from all you performers out there.
1. How many (avg) songs do you perform per set before you take a break?
2. How long do you play before taking a break?
3. Generally speaking, when you play a restaurant or bar, how many hours per day are you hired for?
Thanks for any help. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 206
Location: N.E. Pa | In our area (n.e. PA) 4 hours is still the standard gig. We have managed to get most of our venues to use us from 8:30-12:30 rather than what used to be the usual 10-2 am. HUGE help! Anyway, we usually do three sets, and our first is usually an hour and 15 min. minimum. Maybe 20 songs? Very short breaks, on the order of 10-15 minutes too. We usually always play late too. We love to play, are told it shows, and always try to give good value for the money too. Simple philosophy that keeps our calendar completely full a year in advance while many local bands here can't get work. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I think a nice ballpark is a full hour set (ten songs maybe, with intros). Take a break. Second set... same.
I have played a wild variety of situations. Sometimes we've been given 30 minutes. Other gigs had us playing for FOUR hours. A great deal will depend on the venue and the line-up (are you alone? opening for someone?)
My favorite configuration is to do a nice long set as an opener. Thus a solid 90 minutes and basta, youre done. Let the big shots go till two in the morning!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | I have a tendency NOT to take breaks because I'm usually having such a good time. :D
That being said, however, the template I usually use is 45 minutes on (10 - 12 songs), 15 minutes off per set, ideally. Used to be you were hired for four hours, usually 10 pm to 2 am. Now it's 2 to 3 sets, 7 - 9 pm or 7 - 10 pm. Truth be told, most places around here are "tips only" these days. Sometimes the club will kick in $25 as a starter.
The other thing you need to do is read your crowd. If they're rockin' and having a good time, the last thing you want to do is cut them off in mid-coitus - "Oh, it's time for my scheduled break; I have to stop now." No; you keep going. You don't want to break the momentum. On the other hand, if it's dead and they're sitting on their hands, take your break.
I don't usually do intros. I have a very strong songlist; the opening chords to "Take It Easy" or the intro riff to "Fire & Rain" need no introduction. When I play my originals, however, I'll usually do a brief intro.
I usually try to do a "no huddle offense" when I play, too, going from one song right into the next one. This is easier to do when you play solo. When you play with other people, it's not as practical to do that. For one thing, you have to make sure everybody's ready to go. There are other considerations too, like, oh, I don't know...everybody's playing the same song? :D
You'll develop your own routine over time, Bob; you'll see what works and what doesn't. Hope this helped a little... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Thanks all. I'm trying to figure out how many songs per set based on the length of each set). I've narrowed my songlist down to 56 good, well known songs, which should get me through a 3 hour gig, based on about 15 per set. I could always repeat a few at the end if I needed to fill some time.
Also, MY thinking is to play well known, universally acceptable songs that appeal to a more boomer audience (this is Sarasota Florida after all). I, personally, don't enjoy listening to someone play songs that I don't know. I don't even like it at great bands concerts when they announce, "we're gonna play a new song off our upcoming CD. Hope you enjoy it." Good time to head to the restroom. I know ALOT of songs that I like, but no one else knows. I just think people will tune out when you play something they don't recognize. I think they'd rather hear you play a well known song they don't like, than a song they don't know. What are your thoughts on this subject? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I, too, like the "no huddle" approach. Jeff and I make up a set list and stick to it.. Usually 20-25 tunes. Each number gets a brief (sometimes comical) verbal intro and ... we're off. I also dislike breaks, especially if the boss/bartender puts on some lame music and ruins the mood....
Advice: do NOT (your or bandmates) "Noodle" between songs. Do not stand around discussing "whatta we gonna do next?" That breaks momentum and looks very unprofessional. Be sure someone is in charge up there.... If you can, do not drink or smoke (or let your bandmates): They will get an idiot grin on their face and play badly. It's an illusion! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | I agree with you about people wanting to hear stuff they know, Bob; in fact, the slogan on my business card is "Music you know the words to." Having said that, though, I like to slip in an original now and then. I choose my time wisely, though - I never do them when I'm on a roll or in "no huddle." I guess there's just that innate desire to see what people think of my songs.
Sounds like a solid plan - your song choices. You cannot go wrong with classic rock,and I've heard you play. You're a natural. I started playing classic rock when it wasn't classic. It was the music of our generation (the Boomers). Well, there are still a lot of Boomers out there, and their kids and grandkids like the music too. I move my son's car (he's 25) and he has Eagles playing on his car CD player. The other night I played at a winery and got hired to do a private party this Friday. The kid who hired me (he was in his late twenties) looked like someone I could have gone to college with 40 years ago - long hair, beard, denim shirt and jeans. He actually reminded me of a young Dan Fogelberg (and his girlfriend was a BABE! :D ). Anyway, they were knocked out by my song selection - "Man, I love everything you played." Like I said - can't go wrong with that music.
Good advice from dobro, too, about not noodling around. Don't "telegraph" your next song (like playing the intro to "Hotel California"). If you need to check a riff or something, mute the guitar.
As far as repeating songs, there's a little trick you can do - "I already played this song once tonight, but I got a request for it, and I always try to honor requests."
Nobody needs to know that the request was from YOU! :D
This is probably more info than you wanted, but there it is... ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I think you should change shirts every other tune.
Keep the audience visually occupied |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | 45-60 per set is good. With the cover band "Hand Shaved Noodles" we'll typically do 3 sets.
When I play with Chasen Chantz it's usually one set and we're done. There's usually 3 bands on a card. Speaking of which....
*SHAMELESS PLUG*
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by Beal:
I think you should change shirts every other tune. Keep the audience visually occupied Or "stunned" if you're dB. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | Give us a heads up when you play so us locals can catch your act and offer up encouragement (of your choice)
Brad |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | For us who aren't local, pics and videos would be nice. :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | DB has quite a few videos on YouTube.
I hate to admit it but outside of the hideous shirts, the guy is pretty damn good. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by stephent28:
DB has quite a few videos on YouTube.
I hate to admit it but outside of the hideous shirts, the guy is pretty damn good. Who is this, and what have you done to Stephen? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by dark bar:
Who is this, and what have you done to Stephen? Sorry Bob, I was temporarily off of my meds...
I should have said I love your fashion statements but you suck! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Long Island, N.Y. | I do an acoustic hot-tuna show- 10/12 songs per set.
3 sets. 15 min break in between. |
|
| |
Hey, all you professional players...
