It is important for the singer, speaker, or the entertainer to understand well the way to use the microphone. Because knowing to use the microphone will help you to look more professional. It is better for you to prepare everything before performing on the stage. Avoid the problems caused by the tool which you use to perform.

To prepare your live stage, the rehearsal is needed to be done. By doing the rehearsal, you will know the operation of the tool and all the technical items you must understand. The rehearsal process will help you to handle if the problem emerges during your live performance. For your information, the microphone and the speaker system is the important aspects which are able to make or break the live performance.

The first thing you should do before entering the stage is ensuring that you have made the adjustment to the microphone setup during the performance. Do not avoid this process because adjusting the microphone setting will help your performance runs smoothly.

After standing behind the microphone, you should adjust the microphone stand if the stand is too high or too low. Adjust it according to your height. Having the right position will deliver the professional performance to the audience.

If your microphone is wired version, then it is better for you to watch carefully where the cables and the amplifiers are placed. This will help you to avoid the tripping problems over the cords and cables when you are moving around on the stage. You probably need to consider the wireless microphone version if you want to have the dynamic performance. You will not need to worry about the cord or cable problem during the performance.

If you are deciding to perform without any microphone stand, then it is suggested for you to move it away. It can also be done when you want to lift the mike from its stand. The microphone’s function itself is catching the sound while you are speaking or singing. The sound then is sent to the audience. You should project the voice beyond the mike not at the mike. By doing this, you can strain your voice.

During the live performance, you should not point the mike to the speaker directly. You will get the effect of the howling feedback which can spoil your live performance. It is better for you to do the sound check before any performance. If you cannot do it by yourself, then ask the expert to evaluate the sound you produce.

For your information, the more expensive microphone will provide you the better quality. It is better for you to find the consumer reviews before buying the wireless handheld microphone for your performance. You may also consider the wireless USB microphone as another option.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com – expert=Alvaro_O_Butler
EzineArticles.com – Using-the-Microphone-When-You-Are-Performing

It’s the famous old question on every hungry band’s mind – How To Get Gigs?

I can hear your pain from this computer screen – “Everyone else can get gigs left right and centre but my band is still struggling to figure out how to get gigs…..”

The truth of the matter is that getting gigs and playing live shows isn’t really that hard, you just need to understand the sensitivities of how the live music system actually works.

Why Clubs and Bars Host Live Music In The First Place

From the club and bar owner’s perspective, they are not there to make you famous and they are certainly not there just to be nice, they are simply part of the live performance equation for one very blunt reason – to sell more alcohol, get people to play their poker machines and buy cigarettes. Nothing more, nothing less.

Creating a stage and giving bands a platform to play their music in a live environment is really just another ploy on their behalf to keep their customers in their room and get them to spend more of their money before they go home.

Sad but true.

As a result, it’s important to realize this notion when trying to figure out how to get gigs and build relationships with local bars and clubs.

Proving your value to any bar or venue booker is a little bit like building a business relationship with someone. Do not ever expect to get the Saturday night headline spot without the venue knowing what sort of crowd you could pull and what value you are really worth. It’s not a very arty musical way to think about it all, but unfortunately this is how bar owners think – they are in it to make more money.

Once you understand and surrender to this concept, knowing how to climb the “how to get gigs” ladder becomes a whole lot easier.

Take Whatever You Can Get In The Beginning

When you realize and understand the above, you are ready to pitch yourself to the local venue booker with an offer that they have never heard of before…

You want to shock and surprise the agent by requesting to take the Monday or Tuesday night headline spot. 99.9% of other bands they come across will always be pushing for the Saturday night headline and wont settle for anything less.

However, when you’re starting out, the idea is not to play in front of hundreds of people straight away, it’s more about proving your “value” to the bar owner and venue booker and starting that relationship that will hopefully get you to the Saturday night spot in 3 months time.

Additionally, all the bar owners and booking agents talk and once they start to hear that you’re doing good things in one bar, watch how quickly the other places will start calling you!

Invite your friends and get pumped up to try and help your local bar make more money that Tuesday night than ever before by fulfilling your role in this business relationship between the bar and your band. You need to fill the room with as many friends as you have and focus on putting on a great show that will make the booker stupid for not wanting to invite you back.

Personally Deliver Your Demo To Each Venue Booker

This might seem a little over the top and time consuming but it is absolutely critical.

When there are twenty other bands all trying to play in the same five rooms in your town it’s important to have some personal connection with local venue bookers when figuring out how to get gigs.

From my own experience I used to conduct proper research on each venue and find out who the local agents are. I’d get their names and phone numbers and then request five minutes of their time to go down to the venue and deliver them the band’s music myself.

I would give them a quick spiel about the band and that they would be happy to take any openings and would keep a big smile on my face at all times.

Remember that the music industry is all about building relationships and networks, that person you just met might be booking another venue in six months time or they might be running the local radio station the following year.

Taking the time to personally deliver your demos and meet these people, even the venue owners is worth a lot more over time than you think

This approach to meeting venue bookers will almost always eventuate in some sort of gig opportunity – just by being personal and nice. Nine times out of ten you will probably catch them at a time when they are filling up the next months spots and they’ll just flick you a few dates for being there.

Definitely a surefire tip on how to get gigs.

Network Like Crazy!

The music industry is all about networking and meeting people. However if you really want to know how to get gigs and lots of them? Make sure you are always carrying a ton of your CD’s in your backpack wherever you go and make sure that your band is at the front of nearly every single conversation you have with anyone remotely involved in the music world.

This is a very grass roots approach to getting gigs however it does work

The other benefit of networking like crazy is that when you do get gigs, you’ve slowly built up a list of people to bring along to the show and hopefully some of them will know your tunes because you gave them a CD to listen to

Weekly Residencies

Residencies generally seem like a thing of the past but if your trying to figure out how to get gigs and are stuck, then going to your local venue and offering to play for free every Tuesday or Wednesday night is not only a great way to build a relationship with them, but more importantly it’s a great way to rehearse for free!

Again, the idea isn’t to play in front of large amounts of people, it’s a stepping stone to the next level. Do not under estimate the value of playing in front of very few people. It’s a humbling and soul strengthening experience that forces you to really shine in an adverse situation.

Contact Other Bands You Like

Again really simple but is always a great way to get your bands name out there. Booking agents and venues get cd’s and demo’s all the time, but how many do other bands get?

Besides from making the band feel special and important, very few people actually try to contact the bands themselves and ask them if they can support them.

The key is to track down bands that you think your band would fit well with musically and slowly warm them into the idea of giving you a support slot.

Another networking opportunity and a great way to get more gigs

Go To Shows and Meet Other Bands

If you want a career in the music industry as an artist, going out and seeing other bands and artists isn’t really a choice it’s imperative and part of being involved in the business.

When you go to other gigs, introduce yourself to other people and other bands, get to know the people who work behind the bar, go up to the bands that night if you thought they were good and give them your CD and ask to play with them next time.

Again it’s all about networking, networking, networking and getting yourself inside a particular scene.

Make sure you also go and check out some of the bigger more happening bands in your area as well. It’s more than likely that industry folks from labels, radio stations, booking agencies etc will also be standing around checking out the talent.

So there you have it, seven new ideas to consider and contemplate if you are trying to figure out how to get gigs and fill up your touring schedule

Here the author writes about tips on “How to Get Gigs”. In present time every one wants to be popular. Author describes 7 simple & true steps about getting gigs for you. Read more about Music Record Labels, Music Promotion Marketing on www.inside-the-music-biz.com. Article Source: ArticleDashboard.com

Join us as we take a look into several different methods of how to improve your guitar tone during a live performance. You can also learn the benefits of using guitar backing tracks to help perfect your skills in practice and for help developing tone live.

One of the key aspects of putting on a great live performance is having a great sounding guitar tone that cuts through the mix. There are a lot of different ways that you can improve your guitar tone during a live performance to help you achieve a professional sounding tone that will leave your audience’s ears pleased.

One of the ways you can improve your tone during a live performance is to cut back on the distortion. Too much distortion can make your notes sound thinner and cause a lot of buzzing that will take away from the rest of your performance.

It’s recommended that if you need a little extra crunch on your guitar that you use an effects pedal rather than the amp settings. Do not cut all the mids out in your settings. Try not to go for the modern “Scooped” mid sound in Mesa Boogie ampilfiers unless you really require that tone. Marshalls are great for their strong midrange and that is the reason why they record so well and are great live amps. Mid range is what makes your tone sound BIG!

Do also ensure that the drums are not over powering and the microphones are properly placed. The noise from the drum will drown the volume of the guitarists if the microphones are not placed strategically in the setup.

Another great tip for improving guitar tone in your live performances is to use a tube amplifier. These provide a warm sounding tone and can really help to bring out the sweetness of your guitar sound. You will also need a great deal of wattage on the speakers too if you have playing in a large hall. Those small amps will not cut it.

The best way to improve your guitar tone when playing live is to remember that great tone lies in your fingertips. Developing good tone means you have to develop your techniques and skills. The best guitarist in the world could play through the worst equipment around and still make it sound good, because of his playing abilities. If you gave an amateur the best equipment and guitars money could buy, they would still sound like an amateur.

One of the best ways to perfect your techniques and skills is to practice and perform live with guitar backing tracks. Guitar backing tracks can be very beneficial for learning good improvisation techniques. Playing with backing tracks for guitar can help you to be prepared for playing live and help you to develop the natural tone from your own playing style.

These backing tracks for guitarists can also be used to get better guitar tone by using them to play your live shows. Using guitar backing tracks for live shows are like being backed by a professional sounding band, which can help you to find a great quality tone.

Guitar backing tracks are professionally recorded by seasoned musicians and can help you develop your ear along with your skills.

About Eugene Walker: Want over 1000 Guitar Backing Tracks Visit Planet of Rock to improve your lead guitar playing and jam to professional live bands! Eugene is the founder of Planet of Rock Music Studios. He is a professional guitar teacher and has contributed to publications as Guitar Player and Maximum Guitar. Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory