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Gig Essentials

Ever forget to bring a cable or extra strings to practice? Batteries? Tubes? Well hopefully one of your bandmates has your back or practice is over. It’s an inconvenience when this happens at practice, but it’s a disaster if it happens at a gig. Some bar owners will rightfully dock you for time lost. And forget about getting asked back…

To save face (and gig money), be prepared. Have a “trick bag” ready. You can use an old gym bag or backpack to store gig essentials. Just keep it small. Here’s a checklist of things that you should have in it:

  • Duct tape– Jet tape, Quack tape, wonder tool, marital aid-whatever you call it; you gotta bring it. The silver stuff is great for holding down treacherous cables and wind-blown setlists as well as mending straps and broken mic clips. This silver is worth its weight in gold at a gig.

  • Instrument, speaker, and MIDI cables– Packing 2-3 extra instrument and/or MIDI cables is always a good idea. If you have a pedalboard, you might want to include a couple of patch cables.

  • Guitar Picks– If you use picks it’s reassuring to know that you have plenty on hand to flick at the bass player.

  • Extra strings– strings are like postal workers- they can snap at any time. So ALWAYS carry at least 2 complete sets of strings with you. Even if you have a backup guitar.

  • Miscellaneous– Do you use a music/guitar stand, capo, slide, Ebow, etc.? Also, remember to bring a few extra mic clips and a drum key.

  • Basic Tools– Screwdrivers, pliers, string winder, Allen wrenches, etc.

  • Power strips, power cables, and Extension cords– You can’t play power chords without power and…uh…cords. Ensure that your cords are long enough to draw power from all over the stage. A big orange extension cord with a power strip attached should get you through any gig.

  • Batteries and Adapters– Effects pedals, tuners, and wireless units are just some of the electronic toys we carry to shows. And they all need a power source. Bring spare power supplies when possible or at least bring appropriate-sized batteries for backups.

  • Electrical Parts– Don’t forget about your amps! Tubes and fuses can save the day. Be sure to carry components that match the manufacturer’s specifications.

  • a CLEAN change of clothes– be proactive in preventing “wardrobe malfunctions”.(It happens…). And changing out of sweaty stage clothes does wonders for your post-show social life.

Ideally, every band member should have their own “trick bag”.

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OPEN & Alternate TUNINGS

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Guitarists are always looking for new ways to expand their creativity and find new sounds on their instrument. A very simple way to accomplish this is to change the tuning of the guitar.

The most common introduction to this practice would be to tune all the strings evenly up or down.

If we lower each string by 1/2 step, we would have: Eb(6th) Ab(5th) Db(4th) Gb(3rd) Bb(2nd) Eb(1st).

We could still use any shape/scale/chord, but now they are named 1/2 step lower. Think of it this way: if you are in standard tuning, a C is a C. But if we detune a half-step, that C chord has effectively dropped down, too, making your C chord sound like a B chord (1/2 step lower than the original name). Your G chord is now a F# chord, A would be a G#, etc.

Essentially, you are playing familiar shapes and fingerings, but with the sounds lower than standard. They still retain the same relationship to each other.

You can also try tuning a WHOLE step down. Your strings would now be: D(6th) G(5th) C(4th) F(3rd) A(2nd) D(1st). This is the same idea as above except your shape actually sounds a whole step lower. For example, if you are playing a G chord it is in reality an F. An A would be a G, etc.

Can we also tune higher than standard? Sure…but not much.

It’s possible to raise your strings a half-step making: F(6th) A#(5th) D#(4th) G#(3rd) C(2nd) F(1st). Now every chord would sound a half-step higher than the shape you are playing. An E would sound like an F and a G would sound like a G#. Theoretically you could tune higher, but do so at your own risk.

Tuning higher adds undue stress on your instrument, especially acoustics. It’s much more common to use a CAPO than it is to tune UP. You can find out more by checking out the Using a Capo page.

All of the examples above keep the relationships between the strings even. But it’s also possible to tune the guitar to change these relationships. This can be as simple as altering one string or tuning every string differently!

Probably the most common alteration is called Drop D Tuning. This tuning expands the range of the guitar by effectively giving us 2 extra notes below the Low E String. We just tune the Low E string DOWN to D. Now your tuning should be: D(6th) A(5th) D(4th) G(3rd) B(2nd) E(1st). Remember that your 6th string is the only one that’s been altered.This tuning is extremely popular in new pop, rock and metal. It sounds more aggressive and also allows one finger Power Chords. (Most common metal riffs would be a bit more difficult if you tried to play the conventional two finger version).

*** Many heavier bands use the idea of Drop D Tuning along with tuning a 1/2 step or whole step down. Remember that the term “Drop D” now is incorrect-but it helps other players to know that their 4th and 6th string should be tuned to the same letter. Example:

1/2 step down/drop D tuning would mean your guitar is now tuned to: Db(6th) Ab(5th) Db(4th) Gb(3rd) Bb(2nd) Eb(1st).

Whole step down/drop D tuning would mean your guitar is now tuned to: C(6th) G(5th) C(4th) F(3rd) A(2nd) D(1st).

You can experiment with variations on this idea, and if you like to consistently tune low, you might consider having your guitar set up for this tuning using heavier gauge strings.

There are TONS of different tunings!!!