[amyjared]

Need some ideas/help from you kind folks.

I love to play, and seem to find a guitar in my hands at any free moment at home, whether it's electric or acoustic. What's interesting is that I notice if I put the guitar down for a day or two, when I do pick it up I am more interested, more confident and seem to play better.

Now, when I have a gig, I want to be at my best, so I often practice each day, but do I put the guitar down 2 days before the gig or do I practice up until showtime?? What do the rest of you do? Do any of you have this same issue?? Thanks for any ideas or help.

[Rusty the Scoob]

Hmmm.... for me the "in the zone" moments mostly come when they come. I'm pretty competent even on my worst days but I still chase those transcendant times, and here's how.

Physical well-being is important - I like to be well fed but not overly full.

Mental well-being is also important - being in a good mood but focused is best.

For out of town gigs I prefer to drive with band members... it really helps put you on the same page and in the same zone.

I relate to the instrument best when my hands are clean - wash them once at least 30 minutes before the gig starts and then don't wash them again. It changes the way your skin slides up and down the neck.

A beer or two never hurts.

[spilly]

I pretty much practice everyday. I only take breaks if I'm no where near a guitar for a day or two (3 days is unacceptable), or if my hand are tried. When I do take a day or two off some of my techniques are better when I play again. This is simply becuase I'm rested up. Other techniques however suffer slighlty. Some of the stuff I like to do must be practiced every day or I wont be able to do it. As for your zest for playing after the break, I'd chalk that up the fact that wether you knew it or not, you missed your guitar.
As for playing out my routine hasn't changed in years. I practice every day exept for the day of the show. A day or 2 before the show I generally stop playing the songs and phrases I'll be using at the show. I like to practice different things to keep my hands loose. The day of the show I warm up on my basic exercise routine for about 30 minutes, right before I leave for the show.
Of course by the time I get to the show it's beer:30 and I'm usually pretty confident

[mttourpro]

I find it best to play every day---even of for only a short time. Day of the gig, I run over everything in brief just to be clear about certain spots/solos. Lots of sleep and well fed before the gig. Always cut my nails before leaving--that may not work for guitar?? Minimum of 3-4 beers before showtime--preferably well-hopped IPA, wash the hands after setting up all those bar-room-floor infested chords and pedals---A small 420 before showtime--avoiding the "crippling" diesel til after the gig (or at least til break)...YMMV

[Tennessee Jedi]

Thats pretty much the way to go ...

I hate long nails too....
I really dont think you can pre-pare enough so I always try to get in the groove by warming up with stuff we are gonna play.

[AugustWest]

I try to relax in every way before a gig. Eat a light meal, have sex with the wife, take a shower, cut the nails, have a cup of tea, and two well flavored beers. I find if all the "primal" issues are taken care of I can fully focus and be ready to listen to everything around me.

If I only have a short amount of time to prepare a bowl pack can almost do the trick.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Ever blaze up in a bar behind your amp ?
All crouched down and trying not to cough .....

Gotta do what ya gotta do ....

[strumminsix]

Day of gig:
Change strings, stretch strings a degree or two sharp
Print setlist w/ some notes 1 page per set
Re-stretch strings and walk through setlists unplugged
Retune slightly sharp
Review all gear and stage by door
Load car
OCD check gear room that all is packed
Load car
OCD check gear room and realize nothing is missing
Pack nice shirt in car
OCD check gear room swear it's the last time
shower, cut nails, fresh shave (and a good shit too!)
dress and chill on the couch with the cat
Psych myself up and hit head downstairs
OCD check gear room for the last time and leave

-----

Arrive and realize I'm the firs one there
Order a beer - Miller high life!!!
Unload gear and chill
Setup and smoke and drink more beer

Be completely setup, 2 guitars tuned, amp checked and all fx setup 90 minutes prior to soundcheck.

Relax! This is the key!

Work the bar!

Great people!

Make new friends!

[Tennessee Jedi]

relaxing is key
hate pre game jitters ...

[tigerstrat]

Generally no alcohol whatsoever until the 2nd set.

Smokey treats, usually in moderation- too much can really cash the voice for the high notes.

Eat your dinner at least an hour before going into the water! Digesting food can make it hard to concentrate fully.

[strumminsix]

Eat your dinner at least an hour before going into the water! Digesting food can make it hard to concentrate fully.

This is of paramount importance especially for vocalists.

A local musician who I admire says frequently that "singing is an aerobic exercise" and we all know how tough it is to exercise on a full belly.

[AugustWest]

Tell me about it. I think most of my insides are still being cleaned up off the soccer field I played on a couple sundays back.

Pancakes and eggs for breakfast 1 hour before a 90 minute match in 102 degree heat (115 heat index in richmond that day)


Never felt sick during a gig, although I have had to fight a bad case of hic-ups midway through a Cassidy. Thank god that song has two singers the whole time.

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

Hey Strummin.....
As a fellow OCDer.... You forgot a step...
Check the gear once you unpack at the gig make sure you didn't forget anything....
Brothers from another mother... I swear!
PEACE,
Phil

[strumminsix]

Hey Strummin.....
As a fellow OCDer.... You forgot a step...
Check the gear once you unpack at the gig make sure you didn't forget anything....
Brothers from another mother... I swear!
PEACE,
Phil

Damn straight, Phil. But I have a new tool in my arsenal...
http://www.roadreadycases.com/prodetail.php?sku=RRDRC

It has foam you pick out so you can custom fit all your main stuff. So in mind I've got: guitar stand, fx foot controller, multi-head screwdriver, leatherman, mic, and a section of for lookped cables and in the middle of them pic box, tubes, ear plugs and slide.

Then I also have my back-up back with other goodies..

[mttourpro]

(and a good shit too!)

How could I leave that out! especially given the "fine establishments" we play...