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**Fragle** · 02-15-2006, 12:43 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

don't worry too much, that's the worst thing you can do. have a good time, the crowd doesn't want you to nail everything 100%....it's all about the party.
sure, this demands a *certain* level of playing ability...if you fuck up every other second, it's no fun anymore. but if you make a minor mistake, just keep playing and smile. even the most experienced and pro players occasionally even play the wrong part, we all did it, more than once!
seems like you're playing stuff that's very technical and in general "serious"...not so much "party" music. therefore you might want to focus a tad more on playing than on stage show....but don't stand still all the time.
as for nailing solos and stuff.....mh...depends on how you define "nail". if you're talking about playing EVERYTHING 100% correct without even the slightest hint of a fuckup, i'd say NEVER. the perfect gig yet has to come [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] i can make my way through the show hitting a few off notes here and there, but without any serious clams, like 80-90% of the time. depends on the amount of booze, though [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
in general, there are some nights were the leads just FLOW...then there are other nights where you can't get through one single song without a clam, but the hot chick right in front of you makes up for it lol....then there are the nights where things just don't rock. the sound's crappy, it's super hot, the crowd doesn't get into the music, and the band keeps making mistakes....you need to have a certain fuck you attitude to get through this stuff. don't care, just do your best, and try to get laid afterwards [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

bottom line is that the best way to find out if you're ready to rock is to JUST DO IT. period.

**shredmonster** · 02-15-2006, 01:38 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

Agreed. Just do it - no way around it. You will get more comfortable as time goes on.

Also I would put some time into picking and finger exercises if you are serious about getting better. Nothing will get you better faster IMHO.

**Fragle** · 02-15-2006, 02:18 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

"Nothing will get you better faster IMHO. "
i always prefered playing real music that's challenging over mindless finger exercises. i used to sit in my room for hours trying to get e.g. dream theater - metropolis part 1, or the DT-scarred leads down. in retrospective i think that's what helped me most - but then again, i guess that's a very personal thing. whatever works best for you.
nowadays i'm jamming to malmsteen and nevermore stuff, trying to nail stuff like the nevermore-this godless endeavor arpeggio sections.
of course, you got to have a certain amount of technique under your belt or practicing this stuff is no good at all, more like frustrating. so yeah, i sorta agree with your point, finger and picking exercises are necessary - they just shouldn't be (or better said, they aren't) the end all be all tool.
since he's already been playing for 10 years, i guess he has the basics down. my advice is to keep on practicing the songs you're covering, especially the parts that give you the most trouble. start slowly and gradually build up spead, i repeat, gradually build up speed. DO NOT RUSH THROUGH ANYTHING. chances are you'll develop bad habits if you do.
also, how low do you wear your guitar? i know it looks better with the guitar hanging somewhere below the knees [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] but seriously, just look at petrucci, he wears his guitar right below his chin lol.

**Axiom** · 02-15-2006, 03:01 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

"how low do you wear your guitar?"

I wear it almost à la Pettrucci ... but I consider lowering it a few inches to look cooler.

When it comes to technique, I suck most at alternate picking starting with an upstroke (I tend to downstrike instead so I mess the whole part ... but there again nobody seems to notice it) and sweeping-up when the second note is hammered (I simply never figured out how to keep both hands in sync after the hammer). I never really tried to fix it ... I prefer to work on my economy picking (I guess I also suck there) by learning Symphony X parts, not by doing finger exercices. I'm self-taught and never seriously read anything on technique ... However, I plan to dig this forum !

Thanks for your inputs ...

**Oogadee Boogadee** · 02-15-2006, 06:11 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

I have a lot of respect for anybody who even attempts to play complex guitar on stage. I can play rhythm fine in front of people. But i can work on a lead all night and "get it down", call my wife down to listen and watch me play it, and just totally screw it up 10 freaking times.

Then she leaves to get back to laundry or something, then i can play it fine, even if she's still in the same room. When I know somebody is listening, i get a mad case of stage fright when it comes to guitar solos. probably b/c i think too much.

anyway, my testimony probably just made things worse for you [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

**RacerX** · 02-15-2006, 08:44 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

[ QUOTE ]

Then she leaves to get back to laundry or something, then i can play it fine, even if she's still in the same room. When I know somebody is listening, i get a mad case of stage fright when it comes to guitar solos. probably b/c i think too much.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I get that way at the row of public urinals! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a lot of respect for anybody who even attempts to play complex guitar on stage.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a big +1 good buddy! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

**jgcable** · 02-16-2006, 09:56 AM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

Throughout all the years I have found out 2 things. Either you are comfortable on stage or your not. Most shy guitarists remain shy. Singers might be the only exception.
If your bandmates say you are ready to go.. THAN GO!!!
Don't sweat missing a few notes live. Not every guitarist can be like me and nail everything live! Just kidding bro!
Go for it. Afterall... thats what you are rehearsing for.

**Chameleonfong** · 02-17-2006, 10:36 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

Question: How to know if you're ready for the stage ?
Answer: When you are drunk, you will know!

hehehehe [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

**gkelly** · 02-19-2006, 03:51 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

A lot of good points,,Just do it,,most of any crowd do not know if you made mistake or not!If you do make an mistake do not point it out just keep going like nothing happen and laugh! Its supose to be fun !!They are right, throw your own party on stage and have a good time and everyone else will join in and rock with you!! If you can play the music your talking about you are surely good engough to play a gig!! If you get up there and start freaking out have a signal to one of your band mates to throw you back to reallity,,OR my favorite find the finest chick in the house and check her smiling at you 111 [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

**hgsmith** · 02-19-2006, 06:45 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

100 hrs of band practice equals one hour on stage in front of a crowd. If you want to progress, get in front of some people and play your ass off!!

**Bert** · 02-19-2006, 07:05 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

You said it.... get your ass on stage and play. That's the best practice there is. There's nothing like the fear of making a fool of yourself in front of tons of people to get you motivated!

**Axiom** · 02-19-2006, 08:53 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

Well...thanks ... I guess I'm just the type that focuses on mistakes ... Anyway, for most small gigs I attended, sound quality was such that guitar leads could barely cut through the mix ... So instead of practicing crazy sweeps, I'll try to work on my smile and interacting with the crowd ...

The party is on March 25th. We have a one-hour setlist.

**Newc** · 02-19-2006, 09:45 PM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

If you're not nervous on stage, it's not fun for you. If it's not fun, you're not doing what you most wish you were doing.

However, once you start playing live, it's addictive, and you forget if you played everything 100% accurate or just 50%. That's being sober, too. I can imagine it's even more blissful when you're too stoned to even know you're on a stage [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Anyhoo, they're not there to judge your technical ability, they're there to hear music. There'll be other guitarists there, but if they give you any negative lip about it, bow and worship them in a loud and very sarcastic manner.

**Endrik** · 02-20-2006, 01:32 AM

Re: How to know if you\'re ready for the stage ?

remember the golden words wich were said by the wise man Donnie [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

"fuck being good on guitar, it's all about the threesome"

remember that

being on the stage is the coolest thing, you are the star, you are there to get laid etc. nobody gives a crap about mistakes.

the more you think about chicks the better you play PERIOD

also, remember that stage movement and an eye contact with the audience is essential, and try to look happy, no serious face is allowed on the stage

rock'n'roll

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