A Practical Guide to Guitar Gig Preparation

A good gig usually goes wrong before you ever leave the house.

Not because you forgot how to play, but because the setlist isn't settled, one song is in the wrong key, the ending hasn't been agreed and nobody can remember what happens after the second chorus.

Good gig preparation is about removing those small problems before they become problems on stage.

Start With the Setlist

Choose songs that suit the venue, the audience and the musicians who are playing.

Think about the flow of the set as well. Too many slow songs together can drain the energy, while several demanding songs in a row can put unnecessary pressure on the singer and musicians.

Make sure everyone knows the agreed key for each song, particularly if a singer needs some songs transposed.

Make Sure Your Charts Are Ready

Don't wait until the day of the gig to discover that a chart is in the wrong key or that the ending isn't clear.

Your charts should show the information you need while playing: chords, lyrics, song structure, bars, tempo, BPM and important arrangement details.

If everyone is working from the same version, there is much less stopping to ask, “Where do we go now?”

Put your charts in setlist order before you leave home. If you use a tablet, make sure it is charged. If you rely on paper, have the pages ready and easy to find.

Rehearse the Starts and Endings

The middle of a song is rarely where a band falls apart.

Starts, transitions and endings are much more likely to cause trouble.

Who counts the song in? Is there an intro? Does the singer come in immediately? Does the chorus repeat? Does the final chord ring or stop?

These details take very little time to agree on, but they can make a huge difference to how confident the band sounds.

Prepare Your Gear

Check your guitar, tuner, cables, capo, picks and any other equipment you need before leaving home.

If you use electronic charts, make sure your device is charged and that you can access the charts without relying on an internet connection.

The aim is simple: make gig day boring when it comes to equipment.

You want to think about the music, not discover a missing cable five minutes before the show.

Rehearse the Whole Set

Don't only practise individual songs.

Run through the set as it will actually happen. Practise moving from one song to the next and make sure everyone knows the order.

This is particularly useful when there are changes of key, capo positions or different guitar arrangements.

A full run-through also shows you which songs need another look before the gig.

Be Ready to Play

Good preparation isn't about making everything complicated.

It is about knowing your songs, knowing your arrangements, having the right charts and making sure the small details have been sorted before you walk on stage.

When those things are taken care of, you can concentrate on the music and the people listening.

Charts4Guitar provides clear, practical guitar charts designed to help musicians learn songs, rehearse efficiently and get ready for the gig.

Less preparation stress. Less guesswork. More time playing.

Make Playing Fun.