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WaylonFan76 · September 24th, 2010, 02:02 PM

I got a gig tonight and was curious to see if any of you guys had some things you like to do the day of a gig, or right before a gig. I remember talking to The Depmseys' standup bass player ( kind of a cartoonish crazy good slap guy ) and I asked him what his secret was for jumping around and playing like that night after night ... he responded :"Lots of sleep and lots of water!"
I definitely take a nap before a gig, especially since I have a day job that makes me get up around 6 am. It's my birthday tomorrow and people in the office cut a cake ,so I pretty much had to eat a piece but I find that sugar overload makes me sleepy and feeling too full the rest of the day ...
Just curious.

woodman · September 26th, 2010, 02:53 AM

My routine now is diametrically opposite my routine when I was young. Nowadays, in my geezer years, if I've got a gig that night, I will stay off my feet as much as possible to save my legs ... I use 'em a lot onstage, so I try to conserve what springiness I've got left.

Back in the day, it would be something like find an acoustic jam in the afternoon, play the gig, then find someplace to jam after hours. Sheesh! Then and now ... the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mike Simpson · September 26th, 2010, 04:20 AM

Always go pee right before you go on stage... you can't play well if you need to pee...

dwlb · September 26th, 2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Mike Simpson

Always go pee right before you go on stage... you can't play well if you need to pee...

Amen to that.

The closest thing to a pre-gig ritual I have right now is to stop drinking anything carbonated an hour or two before I go onstage, so I won't have to burp when I'm singing. Switching to water also keeps me hydrated more than pouring caffeine or alcohol into my system would.

Paul in Colorado · September 26th, 2010, 10:24 AM

After load in and set up, I make sure I wash my hands before playing. Nothing worse then trying to play with cable goo on your hands.

If I can I find a place to sit quietly to focus on the task at hand.

Big_Bend · September 26th, 2010, 04:59 PM

The forum rules here prevent me from discussing what I like to do before a gig.

zoppotrump · September 26th, 2010, 05:25 PM

half an hour before the gig aftre we have all peed, we gather around 4 glasses of JD or 4 Roses and toast to ourselfs....just one not more.....

WaylonFan76 · September 27th, 2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in Colorado

After load in and set up, I make sure I wash my hands before playing. Nothing worse then trying to play with cable goo on your hands.

Amen to that ! Sticky hands drive me crazy ...

muudcat · September 27th, 2010, 09:59 AM

Being an amateur athlete I know the importance of complex carbohydrates in performance, so I like to have a dinner of speghetti and make sure I've finished it at least two hours before I play. Any good carbo/ protein will work for me but I can't play well on a bloated stomach. I also like to put on fresh strings the day before.

Tele-Monster · September 27th, 2010, 11:14 AM

For sure hit the bathroom, #1 is bad too hold on stage but #2 is a nightmare. Oh yeah and drink a beer.

September 24th, 2010, 02:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
WaylonFan76 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Lousiana Posts: 5,721	pre-gig rituals I got a gig tonight and was curious to see if any of you guys had some things you like to do the day of a gig, or right before a gig. I remember talking to The Depmseys' standup bass player ( kind of a cartoonish crazy good slap guy ) and I asked him what his secret was for jumping around and playing like that night after night ... he responded :"Lots of sleep and lots of water!" I definitely take a nap before a gig, especially since I have a day job that makes me get up around 6 am. It's my birthday tomorrow and people in the office cut a cake ,so I pretty much had to eat a piece but I find that sugar overload makes me sleepy and feeling too full the rest of the day ... Just curious. __________________ "I don't hate people, I just feel better when they aren't around" Charles Bukowski

September 26th, 2010, 02:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
woodman Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 67 Posts: 13,033	My routine now is diametrically opposite my routine when I was young. Nowadays, in my geezer years, if I've got a gig that night, I will stay off my feet as much as possible to save my legs ... I use 'em a lot onstage, so I try to conserve what springiness I've got left. Back in the day, it would be something like find an acoustic jam in the afternoon, play the gig, then find someplace to jam after hours. Sheesh! Then and now ... the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... It pays to appease all the gods — Gnossos Pappadopoulis Original tunes from the Woodshed

September 26th, 2010, 04:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Simpson formerly "Big" Mike Simpson Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ (PHX) Age: 56 Posts: 6,049 73 Photos	Always go pee right before you go on stage... you can't play well if you need to pee... __________________ http://www.hoodoocasters.com/ http://www.facebook.com/TheHoodooCasters http://www.reverbnation.com/thehoodoocasters https://twitter.com/hoodoocasters

September 26th, 2010, 10:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 60 Posts: 9,710 3 Photos	After load in and set up, I make sure I wash my hands before playing. Nothing worse then trying to play with cable goo on your hands. If I can I find a place to sit quietly to focus on the task at hand. __________________ "Can y'all play some Skynnard? Y'know, like 'Stairway to Heaven?'" -Drunk cowboy at Trail Dust Days, Pine Bluffs, WY

September 26th, 2010, 04:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Big_Bend Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: National Park, TX Age: 49 Posts: 3,323 47 Photos	The forum rules here prevent me from discussing what I like to do before a gig. __________________ ...it is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission...

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September 26th, 2010, 05:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
zoppotrump Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nuernberg, germany Age: 47 Posts: 1,182 34 Photos	half an hour before the gig aftre we have all peed, we gather around 4 glasses of JD or 4 Roses and toast to ourselfs....just one not more..... __________________ may the twang be with you !

September 27th, 2010, 09:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
muudcat Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fountain City, Wi Age: 65 Posts: 520	Being an amateur athlete I know the importance of complex carbohydrates in performance, so I like to have a dinner of speghetti and make sure I've finished it at least two hours before I play. Any good carbo/ protein will work for me but I can't play well on a bloated stomach. I also like to put on fresh strings the day before.

September 27th, 2010, 11:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tele-Monster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St. Paul MN Age: 28 Posts: 3,265	For sure hit the bathroom, #1 is bad too hold on stage but #2 is a nightmare. Oh yeah and drink a beer. __________________ You gonna play it, or polish it?

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