Essential gear for musicians at gigs

The current end-of-year concert and gig season has gotten me thinking about what gear musicians should have with them at every gig.

When lots of us start out, we are in primary school and someone from the ‘band committee’ organises for all the gear to be there. Or maybe we only ever perform in places that already have everything we need. But as we get older and more advanced as musicians, or even start to move into professional work, there comes a time when we are expected to bring our own gear.

This goes for every musician, regardless of their instrument: drummer? Bring your kit. Your whole kit, with all the parts, pedals, etc. Guitarist? Bring your amp.

Here is a checklist list of essential things to always bring with you (unless you are explicitly told not to).

Checklist of essential gear for musicians at gigs:

Horn players (Sax, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, etc.)

• your instrument! Including the mouthpiece
• neck strap (sax players)
• music stand
• mutes (brass players)
• spare parts like reeds
• valve oil or slide lubricant (brass players)
• 4x clothes pegs (for securing sheet music to stands). Always have these in your case. Even indoors there can be wind from fans or open doors
• Music stand light

Drummers

• your complete drum kit including drum stool (unless told explicitly that a kit is provided. Then you should bring cymbals, snare drum, a bass drum pedal, spare cymbal felt & sleeve, and a spare hi hat clutch)
• sticks! Also brushes, and mallets if needed
• a drum key
• a mat or carpet
• 6x clothes pegs (for securing sheet music to stands). Always have these in your case. Even indoors there can be wind from fans or open doors
• Music stand
• Music stand light

Guitarists, bassists, electric violinists, etc

• your instrument
• 2x instrument leads (one is a backup)
• your amp (not a tiny practice amp, but a proper higher-powered performing one)
• tuner
• strap
• extension cord and power board.
• spare strings
• picks, if you use them
• effects pedals if needed, with power supply, extra extension cord, extra leads
• spare 9v battery (for active bass or guitar)
• 4x clothes pegs (for securing sheet music to stands). Always have these in your case. Even indoors there can be wind from fans or open doors
• Music stand
• Music stand light

Keyboardists

• Your keyboard (one with enough keys and sounds for the gig), unless explicitly told one is provided
• Power adaptor for the keyboard
• Keyboard stand
• Powered speaker or amp (not a tiny practice one, but powerful enough for performance without distorting)
• Power adaptor for the amp if it is detachable or separate. Fresh & spare batteries if it uses batteries.
• adjustable stool
• 2x instrument cables (one is a backup)
• Extension cord and power board with enough space for your adaptor plus everything else
• Music stand
• 8x clothes pegs (for securing sheet music to stands). Always have these in your case. Even indoors there can be wind from fans or open doors
• Music stand light

Vocalists

• your microphone plus clip to attach to a mic stand (if your mic relies on phantom power, then a non-phantom-powered backup is suggested)
• a mic lead
• a mic stand, unless you are explicitly told this will be provided
• your pa or at least a powered speaker or vocal amp, unless you are explicitly told this will be provided
• extension cord
• music stand
• music stand light
• 4x clothes pegs (for securing sheet music to stands). Always have these in your case. Even indoors there can be wind from fans or open doors

Everybody else & general rules

• It is your job to bring your instrument and equipment, no one else’s (until you have a road crew and techs working for you).
• keep 4x clothes pegs in your case. Just do it.
• bring your own music stand and a stand light.
• Bring spares of things like batteries, reeds, & strings
• you might as well keep a pencil in your case too

Musicians moving into professional work

If you play a rhythm section instrument, especially drums and keys players, you should have a car and a licence. Others should at least have a licence so you can hire or borrow a car/van if needed. Many people simply won’t hire you if you don’t drive.

If you turn up on time at the right place with the right gear and a minimum of fuss, prepared to play the instrument and music at the right level for the gig, then you should be all set to start developing a good reputation as someone others want to hire or work with. At all levels of semi and fully professional music, your good reputation is vital and can make or break a career, regardless of how “sick” your chops are. Every other pro player also has great chops too! Remember, once you are aged over, say, ten years old, you shouldn’t assume the ‘band committee’ will do everything for you.

Parents, and band committees who never expect young musicians to bring anything of their own, please consider that, while kindly, you may be robbing students of crucial training and crucial habit-forming.

Bring what you need and have a great gig!