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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 23, 2011 at 12:20am

If you can play pretty well, than that's what will sell your guitars...assuming they sound good, play well and are priced right.

As regards an interview, they'll ask the questions, so just be yourself.

The best best plan would be to post a video on here of the sort of thing you propose playing and ask for comments. It might seem an intimidating thing to do, but it's better that you take comments and advice from people on here who know the scene and are sympathetic, rather than get it wrong on the day and risk not making a good pitch in front of strangers.

Be prepared - know exactly how long your performance will be and work out a set-list of numbers that you are 100% confident with. Make sure you get a good sound - my advice is to use your own amp to ensure you know exactly what the sound will be like. Find out what they are providing in terms of PA, mics, mic stands etc. in case you need vocals, or even for just making announcements if it's a big room. Take spare strings, slides, picks, leads and a backup instrument.

Have you done open mic performances before? If not, do a couple before this event so you get the hang of getting on stage, plugging in, performing and handling the practicalities of a short stage performance. Before you go on make sure everything is working (ideally you will have been able to get there in advance and do a quick sound check), and that you are tuned up ready to go.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on April 23, 2011 at 1:56am

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the advice. Luckily, I have done some performing in the past, only with a six string. I'm comfortable with 3 strings, I'm just not sure what to play.

ChickenboneJohn said:

If you can play pretty well, than that's what will sell your guitars...assuming they sound good, play well and are priced right.

As regards an interview, they'll ask the questions, so just be yourself.

The best best plan would be to post a video on here of the sort of thing you propose playing and ask for comments. It might seem an intimidating thing to do, but it's better that you take comments and advice from people on here who know the scene and are sympathetic, rather than get it wrong on the day and risk not making a good pitch in front of strangers.

Be prepared - know exactly how long your performance will be and work out a set-list of numbers that you are 100% confident with. Make sure you get a good sound - my advice is to use your own amp to ensure you know exactly what the sound will be like. Find out what they are providing in terms of PA, mics, mic stands etc. in case you need vocals, or even for just making announcements if it's a big room. Take spare strings, slides, picks, leads and a backup instrument.

Have you done open mic performances before? If not, do a couple before this event so you get the hang of getting on stage, plugging in, performing and handling the practicalities of a short stage performance. Before you go on make sure everything is working (ideally you will have been able to get there in advance and do a quick sound check), and that you are tuned up ready to go.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 23, 2011 at 2:31am

Start with a strong number, one that you feel totally confident with and really "sell it"...grab 'em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow. Pace the set, no matter how short or long so that you have a good variety between louder up-tempo and quieter slower numbers.  Don't put similar songs next to oneanother, and use dynamics in each number, bring the volume and intensity up and down to suit the mood of each number - know when to crank it up to 11 and when to back off...this can also help show the range of the instrument, from full-on raunch to sensitive melodic passages.

 

Sales techniques..well, I find that once people hear one of my guitars, often that's the sale closed. Again, be yourself, be confident in your product. To the skeptical and confused 6 string player, I tell them that having 3 strings reduces the potential for wrong notes by 50% and doubles the effect of your available talent.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on April 23, 2011 at 7:51am

I like that! I'm taking all this to heart, my friend. I'm feeling good about this... I'll post a vid soon for you.

ChickenboneJohn said:

Start with a strong number, one that you feel totally confident with and really "sell it"...grab 'em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow. Pace the set, no matter how short or long so that you have a good variety between louder up-tempo and quieter slower numbers.  Don't put similar songs next to oneanother, and use dynamics in each number, bring the volume and intensity up and down to suit the mood of each number - know when to crank it up to 11 and when to back off...this can also help show the range of the instrument, from full-on raunch to sensitive melodic passages.

 

Sales techniques..well, I find that once people hear one of my guitars, often that's the sale closed. Again, be yourself, be confident in your product. To the skeptical and confused 6 string player, I tell them that having 3 strings reduces the potential for wrong notes by 50% and doubles the effect of your available talent.

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Permalink Reply by Richard G Caudill on April 23, 2011 at 1:29pm

Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

 

Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on April 23, 2011 at 2:38pm

Excellent, thanks Richard.

Richard G Caudill said:

Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

 

Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on April 23, 2011 at 2:41pm

Also... where would I find John's vids?

Richard G Caudill said:

Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

 

Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 23, 2011 at 7:58pm

There's some of my video stuff on here, or check my YouTube channel. Nothing fancy, just me talking and playing in front of the computer....

 

ChickenboneJohn

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on April 24, 2011 at 2:04am

Nice stuff! And you've got a Tom Waits song favorited, can't go wrong there!

ChickenboneJohn said:

There's some of my video stuff on here, or check my YouTube channel. Nothing fancy, just me talking and playing in front of the computer....

 

ChickenboneJohn

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