6. Gigging
What to Bring
- Your instrument, spare bow, and instrument-specific equipment: endpin strap, rosin, spare strings, etc..
- Sheet music. If using paper, use a binder and minimize page turns. If using a tablet, bring a foot pedal for page turns.
- Music stand.
- Concert attire (typically dressy black)
Performing Outside
- Require a shade or canopy for sun/rain protection.
- Be prepared for extreme temperatures. Bring a water bottle if it’s hot, a dressy sweater if it’s cold.
- Plan for windy conditions: music stand clips, page protectors.
Logistics
Arrive 30 minutes before you start playing, or at the agreed-upon call time. This will give you time to meet the event coordinator, find your performance location, and set up.
Have the following information before the start of the gig:
- Date
- Call time
- Duration
- Address
- Attire
- Names and contact information for the other players
- Set list order
If you are organizing the gig, make sure you send this information to each player.
- Provide the sheet music to each player a few weeks in advance. It is unprofessional to sight-read at the gig.
Weddings
- Someone should give you a definitive cue when it is time to start the ceremony; coordinate with them when you arrive.
- Organize your music so you can quickly transition between selections during the ceremony.
- Find convenient stopping points in processional pieces so that you can end phrases elegantly.
- Find out the final words of the ceremony so you know when to start the recessional.
Contracts
- If you are organizing a gig, use a contract to spell out all of the details, including payment and logistics. It is standard to require a deposit upon signing of the contract, and receive the rest of the payment on the day-of.
- Include anything you require of the venue (e.g., armless chairs for each performer, shade, access to an electrical outlet).
- Establish reasonable limits and accommodations (e.g., a 10-minute break for every hour of continuous music, maximum temperatures for outdoor performances).
- Consider specifying how you will arrange for a substitute musician in the event of a cancellation/emergency.
- Include a clause stating that you keep the deposit if the client cancels the event.
Unspoken Rules
- Once the gig has started, transition quickly from one song to the next. Resist the temptation to stop and chat with your ensemble members between pieces.
- Be professional, prepared, and courteous. This will make you pleasant to work with and more likely to be hired again.
