Nervous About Gigging

I am an old guy that just got back into guitar and wanted some opinions from you all. How many songs should you have in your repertoire before going out to open mic nights and things like that? I have about 25 or 30 songs I am practicing, to get back to where I was when I was a Rhythm guitar player in the 60's. Mostly 3 chord rock and also Country although I am in the process of learning the Blues 1 part of the core system. When did you as a musician feel you were ready?

Hi John,
In my experience, most open mic nights you will only get to do about 3-4 songs, perhaps more if there are only a few musicians in the wings. If you have 20-25 songs ready you are set to do a full night of playing.
As for being ready, I think you should go out and give it a shot, have a friend video tape it (with decent audio if possible) and then review the tape later for things to improve on.
I started playing at a very young age, so the expectation of musicianship was a lot lower. People expect you to be still learning when that young. Once you are a bit older I think they assume you are accomplished at your instrument.
But since you are playing 3 chord rock, as long as you have fun and play with passion you will be fine, rock is not meant to be perfect, if you play with energy and just keep powering through the audience will enjoy it.

Good Luck!

TAT

I think it's awesome that you are looking to get out there and play for people.

The only thing I would add to the great advice you got already is to go check the open mic out first just as an audience member. Bring your stuff *just in case*, but go with the midset of just checking it out. Getting up there can be nerve wracking enough that you don't want to pile the unknowns of the open mic on top of it.

If you plan on doing a solo thing, having 3 or 4 songs ready to go is perfect. If you plan on sitting in with the house band or other players there, you should have at least 10 commonly known songs from a variety of artists ready to go. My first open mic I went to I was set to play some Doobie Brothers, but the singer we recruited said the songs were out of his range. So we fell back to 2 other songs he could do.

The most important thing to do is...HAVE FUN!! Generally the people there will be very supportive and appreciate the courage it takes to get up there.

Originally Posted by: johnv31552I am an old guy that just got back into guitar and wanted some opinions from you all. How many songs should you have in your repertoire before going out to open mic nights and things like that? I have about 25 or 30 songs I am practicing, to get back to where I was when I was a Rhythm guitar player in the 60's. Mostly 3 chord rock and also Country although I am in the process of learning the Blues 1 part of the core system. When did you as a musician feel you were ready?

I think I gave it about 5-6 years from the time I started until I actually began playing in public.

That's not necessarily a standard, but I've always advised people to lean on the safer side of that variable.

As far as the songs go, just make sure you know the songs you know IN YOUR SLEEP.

Quality trumps quantity for sure.

Originally Posted by: johnv31552I am an old guy that just got back into guitar and wanted some opinions from you all. How many songs should you have in your repertoire before going out to open mic nights and things like that? I have about 25 or 30 songs I am practicing, to get back to where I was when I was a Rhythm guitar player in the 60's. Mostly 3 chord rock and also Country although I am in the process of learning the Blues 1 part of the core system. When did you as a musician feel you were ready?

So much fear comes from the worry that you'll make a mistake. Get over that one very quickly. Why? Because, to a certainty, you will make a mistake...and many of them throughout your performing.

In the recent of GT's Insider, David Gilmour stated, "I'm an enormous fan of Jeff Beck because he's not afraid to screw up."

When were any of us ready? Never. You will never feel like you are 'there'. In my opinion, anyway. That's why the great guitar players keep practicing and learning. You become ready by doing it. Getting out there and playing. When I started playing guitar way back when, I didn't want to play in front of anyone because I was a newby and had much to learn.

Eventually I would noodle in front of folks at the local guitar store and someone might comment positively. Eventually, I would help try new rigs cuz I was such a pain at the store, they figured why not use him (me) a bit (and I got to try new gear!). Sometimes, kids would gather at the demo room window and watch. It was like performing.

Point being; you build from experience, not from perfection....and, as my wife says, 'few people ever hear the mistake unless you point them out'. So, get out there, play and when you do make a mistake, just keep on going.

Good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Y72DXp0R8 @ the 8:55 mark. :)

Originally Posted by: JeffS65So much fear comes from the worry that you'll make a mistake. Get over that one very quickly. Why? Because, to a certainty, you will make a mistake...and many of them throughout your performing.

In the recent of GT's Insider, David Gilmour stated, "I'm an enormous fan of Jeff Beck because he's not afraid to screw up."

When were any of us ready? Never. You will never feel like you are 'there'. In my opinion, anyway. That's why the great guitar players keep practicing and learning. You become ready by doing it. Getting out there and playing. When I started playing guitar way back when, I didn't want to play in front of anyone because I was a newby and had much to learn.

Eventually I would noodle in front of folks at the local guitar store and someone might comment positively. Eventually, I would help try new rigs cuz I was such a pain at the store, they figured why not use him (me) a bit (and I got to try new gear!). Sometimes, kids would gather at the demo room window and watch. It was like performing.

Point being; you build from experience, not from perfection....and, as my wife says, 'few people ever hear the mistake unless you point them out'. So, get out there, play and when you do make a mistake, just keep on going.

Good luck!

Yes!!!!!

The first time I played for an audience I was petrified of making a mistake. That was good and bad :). Eventually you will make one. Once you get them out of the way and learn to deal with them, it is a much more pleasant experience. Just tonight at a gig I started a solo in the wrong key...woops!! I just kept going...and figured it out. People probably noticed but forgot quickly. I didn't die, nobody laughed at me or yelled "you suck".

You don't want to become indifferent to them, but don't let fear of them paralyze you or overwhelm you when they happen.

accept that they will happen and deal with them with good humor when they occur.

Don't let fear stand in your way!

Of course you are going to be nervous before doing gigs! That is a big step to us musicians!

When practicing the guitar you are usually not in front of a crowd. With that being said, it can be different. Regardless of how much you practice of course it is nerve wracking to go in front of people!

John you mentioned you have 25-30 songs and are wondering if that is enough for open mic night. Yes!!! Like another member said, that is enough for you to have your own set!

Open mic nights usually accommodate 3-4 songs depending on how long they are.

Go for it! Playing a gig is an incredible experience, it allows you the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and grow as a musician.

Jeff made a great reference to GT Insider and David Gilmour's quote. Mistakes WILL happen and that is okay! We have to make mistakes to learn what we need to work on. Mistakes can be corrected.

Also, sometimes people don't notice mistakes in your playing. A friend of mine played an open mic night and forgot a few chords so he improvised for a few seconds until he remembered. Because he was so confident and unphased nobody had a clue he made a mistake!

Own your performance! You've got this!

To the original poster, I am in the same situation. When I want some inspiration to keep practicing and have the courage to play in front of people, I think of this clip of Joe Walsh on Live from Daryl's House (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPV6nKrhOGg at 36:40). In the clip Uncle Joe talks about the importance of playing in front of people and gives us permission to be awful as long as we work at begin "less awful."

Also, we have this great blog post on open mic night tips:

https://www.guitartricks.com/blog/index.php?p=How-to-Rock-an-Open-Mic-Night-

I would also add that if you have a full length mirror, practice in front of it. It is a great way to get an objective view of yourself and what your performance will look like. It will be another form of preparation that will help you see how you are expressing the song and determine how you can improve it. :)

remember the 6 Ps. Prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance. Know your set so well that you could play it from reflex, without your head being attached to you body. Once that happens, play it some more.

You'll gain confidence, but everyone is nervous when performing. Experience will relieve you of your nerves like nothing else.

Also, a SMALL amount (1-2 pints) of beer or 1-2 shots will help a bit. Any more than that and your playing will be affected.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Nathan

Originally Posted by: GT StaffI think I gave it about 5-6 years from the time I started until I actually began playing in public.

That's not necessarily a standard, but I've always advised people to lean on the safer side of that variable.

As far as the songs go, just make sure you know the songs you know IN YOUR SLEEP.

Quality trumps quantity for sure.

I would agree with this. The more prepared you are the more confident you will be. Of course there will always be nerves, but if you can learn to channel the nerves into pouring your soul into the song, you will be good :)

My voice teacher always tells me to work technique as much as you can before the performance, and then at the performance forget about it and feel the song.

Originally Posted by: seattle2I would agree with this. The more prepared you are the more confident you will be. Of course there will always be nerves, but if you can learn to channel the nerves into pouring your soul into the song, you will be good :)

My voice teacher always tells me to work technique as much as you can before the performance, and then at the performance forget about it and feel the song.

Your voice teacher sounds wise. Great advice!