Some believe that performing for first time is easy, for others it is the most terrifying thing. But, if you get prepared, you will be able to do more than just performing. Hi guys , Cindy here, once again. So how do you get prepared for your first gig? First of all, congratulations on your first performance. Ok, so let's get it started.

1- Find out more about the event:

First of all, learn everything you need to know about the event. Just don’t show up only with your guitar.

1. Learn where. Find where it will be held. You have to take many things into consideration before being able to prepare ahead. Is it at a bar? at a restaurant? at a children's party? or at a small venue or a large venue? Whatever it is, find the details of the place either big or small. With this information you will know everything about your performance from start to finish. For example, where will you be standing or sitting?

2. Learn the audience. Find who will be attending your show. Learn if they will be children and their parents, teenagers and their teachers, older people, probably your same age. Depending on the audience you will be able to know how to interact with them. You will be an entertainer, not a boy or girl playing a guitar alone in his or her room. This is about getting you noticed.

3. Learn who will be performing as well. Find more about them, their music, their experiences. You need to stand out from the rest. In this business excuses and fear must not exist. When you know who will be performing, don’t imitate them. Just be better according to your own judgement. This is what will make you succeed, being yourself but still be better than the rest.

2- Learn about your performance:

How long will you be playing? You can't arrive by just having in mind a couple of songs. You need to be prepared from the beginning of your performance. When you ask your playing time, they might ask you to play one or two songs, or probably half an hour or an hour.

Be prepared for the amount of songs you will be playing. If you don't know how many songs you want to play. Play the songs you have prepared at home as if you were playing live. Check the time along with it. Have some lines memorized on how you will be interacting with your audience.

Get more songs ready. They might ask you to play just a couple of songs but if they like your music, they will ask you for more. This is technically called the “Encore”. Safe some of your best songs for your encore. Don’t improvise, you will need to prepare for that final piece.

3- Have your equipment ready:

Showing up with your best guitar and well-dressed is not enough. You must be and look like a professional artist even though it is your first time performing. Bring someone with you to help you out with your equipment. Have your computer ready, your lyrics ready, your guitar tuned already, your own microphone. Have merchandising with you, and even high quality banners. Bring everything you can with you. You might feel over-prepared, but people will notice you by showing that you belong in this industry.

4- Check your repertoire:

Don’t bring a couple of random songs. It won't work. Your repertoire is what will make you or break you. So, it depends on the type of concert and your audience. Coming back to the example of a children's party, just create your own version of Baby Shark. Be yourself and entertain, that's your job.

Originals vs covers? When people ask about playing originals vs covers. I suggest to have both. More covers than originals having in mind people haven't heard your music yet. When you bring covers, your audience will want to sing along and also, if you play an original, they might like to listen more of your own creations.

5-Find out if you can bring a backup band:

You have to get rid of the mentality of being a solo artist and playing solo all the time. That won't work either. If you can bring an entire band or a backup singer, it will help you out in your performance. It will help you out how you will be sounding. Your interaction with the audience and your backup band will help you when you are starting out. If the case of not having a backup band or someone to help you, bring multitrack with you, practice with them at home until you control the skill of using multitrack. It is an excellent tool.

As a conclusion practice at home, as if you were playing alive. Make a small stage at home and practice. Record yourself, try your best outfit and best movements and go for it.

The best advice I can give you is to practice, practice, practice a lot.

Thank you!