Unfortunately, I’ve found that to get my songs heard I need to perform. Putting on a good performance is a skill in itself and takes as much or more work then learning to play the guitar or sing. However, this is an area that’s often overlooked. The best tip I can give you is to take some performance classes. Below are some tips I’ve learned.

Before the performance

1. Pick your songs

–        Pick your songs for the venue. Are you going to play in a noisy bar or to an attentive audience? Attentive audiences will listen to the words and music, so make it good. Noisy crowds need something to attract their attention.

–        Know your audience? What’s OK or not OK to sing about? What would really connect with them?

–        How many songs do you get to play? I like to play my best songs first and last. Then mix up the middle songs. Look for variations in styles and meter throughout the set.

–        How much time do you have? If you have 30 minutes, you should only plan on 15-20 minutes of actual songs.

–        How comfortable are you? Chose one of your easier songs to start with.

2. Practice, practice, practice

- You are at best 80% as proficient on stage as you are in your living room. The more you practice, the better chance you have of being on when you need it. I estimated that for my last performance I practiced each song about 100 times and I still made a few, luckily minor, mistakes.

- Realize that you go through cycles with songs. When you first start playing a song it’s exciting, then you get bored with it and it doesn’t sound as good. Eventually it becomes like an old friend that you’re very comfortable with and you could do at any time.

- Say the words as often as you sing them. Know them inside and out, so you feel comfortable with the meter of the song.

- Record and listen to the song if possible. I like to practice listening through headphones so it sounds like it will on stage.

- Practice your song introductions as well. The more prepared you are the better you will look on stage.

3.  Take some time off before the show

- If you have the song down, take some time off before the show. You want the songs to sound fresh. In sports when I practiced too hard the day before a race, I was too tired to do well. It’s the same with music.

At the show

1. You’re on stage from the time your name is called. Be ready. Walk up to the stage and plug in and adjust the mike like a professional. Learn how to operate the mike. Don’t waste time.

2. Have your guitar in tune, there is nothing worse than watching someone tune for a long time. If you know you are going to need to retune, make sure to practice that as well beforehand.

3. Plan what you’re going to say and then keep to the point. If someone’s on before you, a sentence or two can help refocus the audience. A long diatribe will lose them before you ever start playing. Also, never apologize for a song before you start playing it, it will sound like “I really don’t have a good song to sing for you, so I’m doing this crappy one.”

4. Try to look calm. If you’re visibly uncomfortable, your audience will be uncomfortable too. Try to have fun! At least you’re brave enough to be on stage!

5. Make eye contact throughout the room. If you need to see your guitar when you play, turn a little sideways and point the neck of the guitar towards the audience. That way you can see the guitar and the audience.

6. Expect mistakes. Things will go wrong; it’s how you react that will make or break your performance.

 When you’re finished

1. Acknowledge your audience.

2. Look at the sound man and get a signal before unplugging your guitar. Avoid that loud popping noise.

3. Remember you’re still on stage long after you’re done performing.

 Check out my songs