5 Things To Practice On Guitar To Improve Your Live Performance
by Tom Hess
The best way to put on amazing live performances as a guitar player is to be well-prepared. Practicing guitar specifically for performance is different than regular practice, and is essential for avoiding embarrassing mistakes on stage.
Here are just a few things to practice to improve your live guitar playing fast:
1. Quickly Recovering From Your Mistakes
Making mistakes while performing is totally natural. However, not knowing how to adjust to them can be a disaster for your set. Practice purposefully inserting mistakes into the songs you will be playing and recovering from it. This prepares you to quickly get back into sync with the music and respond without feeling shocked or embarrassed.
2. Adjusting To Lighting
Lighting on stage can be unpredictable. Practice playing guitar without looking at your instrument, so you don't become lost when there is low lighting or you can’t see your guitar for any reason.
3. Playing Without Being Able To Hear Yourself
It’s very easy to get off track when you can’t hear yourself for a brief (or not brief) moment. Practice in a room separate from your amp to get used to times when you are unable to hear yourself.
4. Moving Around While Playing
It’s rare that you will perform on stage while sitting down. Get used to practicing guitar while standing and walking around. This way you are able to truly perform the music and inspire your audience!
5. Stage Fright
Everyone feels a little nervous sometimes before preforming on stage. One of the best ways to prevent this from affecting your performance is to treat each show like a competition (with yourself). Try to improve different aspects of your performance each time you play. This, combined with playing more frequently massively reduces nervousness and let’s you enjoy playing much more.
Want to learn more ways to take your live guitar performance to the next level? Check out this free article about preparing for live gigs to become a killer live guitarist.
About Tom Hess: Tom Hess is a guitar teacher, music career mentor and guitar teacher trainer. He trains musicians how to leave their day jobs and build successful fulltime careers in the music industry.
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