When you are a keyboardist, preparing for a gig is way more than just learning your parts. In addition to this, it requires:
- Preparing the proper patches
- Having an idea of which parts you will be covering ( since a good part of them might not just be keyboard sounds
- Learning the parts
- Choosing the proper set up for a show.
Perhaps there are more that I am leaving off here. But it’s more than just “learning your part” when you have an ever-changing instrument, and ever-differing requirements.
Often times, creative people aren’t the most organized. At least that was the truth for me. If that’s not you, that’s amazing. Your preparation will set you above the rest.
For the rest of us, how do we prepare for a live gig?
Preparing For A Gig (The Process)
Let me start off by saying, this process is tried and tested.
You can click here to download a copy of my Smart Gig Prep Guide. It will help in preparing for a gig, with special consideration taken for keyboardists.
Write Down Your Set List
There is something powerful about seeing what you are about to learn written down on paper in your own writing. It will also give you a place to start working from, and an easy organized way to take notes surrounding your song
Listen Critically
Especially if you are performing cover songs, but even when you are playing originals, listen through the songs in your set away from the keyboard.
Why?
It’s extremely helpful to separate parts of the process. This is the planning and prep phase, not the music practicing phase. So let’s do one small thing at a time.
While you are listening:
- Write down what sounds you will be responsible for
- Take note of sounds that can be “left out”.
- Make note if something you will need to play is physically impossible so software can be used to fill in the gap.
My Smart Gig Prep Guide has special pages set aside for this.
Practice Just On Piano
One major mistake I have made in the past, and something I have noticed many others do as well, is they start with the keyboard programming, and move on to the part learning.
I find this makes for a slow-going process because you are letting your computer or your instrument call the shots for you.
You are the musician, and your instrument is the tool. So start with you, and move outward from there.
As you play, take note of things like:
- Would this song be best played using just register splits, or will it require patch changes
- What parts are MOST important, and how can I bring them out when I play.
- Are there any parts that are better off being tracked?
Build Your Patches
I always start by compiling my patches.
Before you can have a patch list, you must first have patches.
Probably many of the sounds you need will repeat from song to song, so It’s always a good idea to start from a template if you have one.
Make Your Patch List
There are three types of patch lists. I go into more detail about them on this post. But for now suffice it to say, the three types are:
- Static
- Dynamic
- Automated
Choose which one works best for your situation.
Begin laying out your patch list in your set up of choice.
Time and time again, I always return to using Ableton for my live set up, but you may find another software or hardware to work best.
Be careful to not turn your programming session into a playing session.
Program completely. Then go back and test everything thing
Test Your Patch List
Like I’ve mentioned a few times here, this is not the time to fix your patch list, it is the time to test it.
Take notes as you go so you can go back and fix it later.
Practice With Your Bandmates
Keep a notebook on your keyboard so you can be listening for things that need to be tweaked during the context of your actual set.
When you are preparing for a gig (but also in general) It’s a good idea to record rehearsals so you can go back and reference what you played. You don’t need anything fancy, your voice memo app on any smartphone should do the trick.
The Good News
If preparing for a gig feels overwhelming at first, know that it gets easier.
As you prepare, you will get better at preparing.
In addition to this, you will develop a library of sounds and a patch list method that will start to reflect what you do most.
All of this comes when you set your hands to the task, and intentionally go through it.
The Smart Gig Prep Guide
I made the Smart Gig Prep Guide for you to print and take with you on your preparation journey.
It will remind you how to go about preparing for a gig as a keyboardist and give you the space to write down what you need to.
Good Luck!
I want to be a support to you, and the best way for me to do that is to invite you to the Live Keyboardist facebook group.
You can also reach out to me through my contact page!