Relaxing With Music

Relaxing With Music

Playing Your Acoustic Guitar On Stage For The First Time? Don't Forget These Accessories

Ambre Gauthier

Whether you've been invited to perform on your acoustic guitars with some musician friends or you're taking the plunge to finally showcase your skills at an open mic night in your community, it's important to remember that preparation is everything. Hours spent practicing your songs will partially prepare you for the stage, but once the lights go on, it's easy to get a little flustered with being in the proverbial and literal spotlight. The last thing you need is an equipment issue bringing you down. You can avoid such complications by making sure you've got these three accessories packed.  

Sound Hole Cover

Playing your acoustic guitar in front of others means that you'll typically be plugging into an amplifier and the venue's sound system. On the surface, this might not warrant a second thought, but when you're a first-timer, you need to beware of feedback. Because acoustic guitar pickups aren't conventionally shielded in the same manner as electric guitar pickups, feedback for acoustic players can be a real concern. You don't want to lose the audience right away with a series of squeaks and squeals emanating from your instrument, so getting a sound hole cover is necessary. This simple, circular device slips over the sound hole of your instrument and greatly reduces feedback.

Spare Battery

The built-in tuner on your acoustic guitar will come in handy when you're playing in front of a crowd. Between songs, you'll have a quick opportunity to engage the tuner with the tap of a button and make sure each of your six strings is properly in tune. This tuner runs on a 9V battery and it's wise to carry a backup. A failing battery will render the tuner somewhere between unreliable and completely useless, but keeping a brand-new 9V in your pants pocket means you can switch the batteries quickly without stress.

Pick Holder

When you're playing your guitar at home, you can simply stop your song to retrieve your pick when you accidentally drop it on the floor. You don't want to be fumbling around for a pick if it slips out of your fingers when you're playing in front of an audience, so make sure that you have a solution for holding your picks. A rubber pick holder that affixes to your microphone stand is ideal; if you won't be singing, a small strip of two-sided tape on the headstock of your guitar is a perfect holding place.

For further assistance, contact a local outlet, such as Mike's Brass & Woodwind.


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About Me
Relaxing With Music

When I was diagnosed with a serious anxiety disorder, my therapist mentioned that music might be a great way to unwind for the day. She told me to pick some nice, soft, relaxing music and listen to it at night before I went to sleep. I was a little apprehensive to take her up on the advice, but after a few weeks I could tell that it was really working. I was able to calm down at the end of the day instead of letting my thoughts get the better of me. I have come a long way in my treatment, which is why I wanted to share my struggles with other people. Read here to learn how music might be able to help you.