Jon MacLennan

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7 Tips That Let Newbies Perform On Stage Like Pros

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Ever wonder what you should do the day of a performance?

In this video, I want to share 7 tips I've found useful to prepare for a performance. These tips have helped me play HUGE shows with great success.

But they work the same if you're retired, and maybe you want to play for friends and family at a summer barbecue. Or you want to play at your church, or you have an open mic night coming up.

I help a lot of my students in my programs on my site do exactly this.

And it's been awesome to hear amazing stories from retired students live their dreams. So I thought I would share 7 quick ones here to help you out.

1. Play your guitar the day of the performance

Don’t go in cold. You want your fingers to feel warmed up. I often don’t leave my guitar out onstage. When possible I bring it backstage and I’m running through songs and playing quietly before the show. That way when I walk out, my guitar and strap are already on and I’m ready to rock. If it’s an open mic night, this might mean you step out the back of the club and run through a few songs in the alley before hitting the stage. Whatever you’ve got to do. This can also help ease nerves.

2. Double-check your equipment

Nothing is worse than equipment failing. I am meticulous with this. Double check your batteries, strings, tuning, amps, cables, everything. Make sure they work and have backups. For years I would bring an entire duplicate setup of my rig in my car. If anything failed, I was ready. This meant I delivered for my clients, and this saved me many times.


3. Eat healthy

Don’t eat garbage all day and then expect to perform at your best. Treat your body like a temple.

4. Hydrate

One time I had a gig in the desert at a festival and didn’t hydrate properly and almost passed out. I learned my lesson. Keep a clean canteen water bottle in your car. Even at the end of the night, there is nothing better than being thirsty and getting to your car and having a full water bottle.


5. Arrive early

Don’t stress yourself out and fight traffic etc. Expect for unexpected things to happen. Get down to the venue early, bring a book and chill in the car if you have to, or read my emails. That’s better than cutting it close.

6. Don't sweat mistakes

Live is live. Even pro musicians mess up all the time. Laugh it off and keep playing.

7. Know the music

You’ve got to know what you are playing inside and out. And the majority of this tip is actually done way before the performance. This is what you should be practicing every day. You need to be able to do play your performance songs in your sleep. Practice them over, and over, and over. 

Now for one more bonus tip, which is quite possible the most important one, and that is Know Your Fretboard. If you need help, get your hands on my fretboard guide at the link below now:

 

Jon MacLennan

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