Rule number one: the Robert Johnson rule , never accept an open drink from a stranger. Always drink from a bottle you saw get opened.

Starting guitar at 52 I have the wisdom to know I won't be a rock star.

Another bit of advice.. ALWAYS bring your own mic. I had a friend who played and I guess the night before there was a gg allin tribute band that played the night before ... I’ll leave it at that.

As a freshman who's planning to gig when the venues reopen, this is really helpful to learn.

I'm 20 and I play in a Wedding Band since I was 17. Our oldest member is 62 and the others are in between that. At the same time I played in a Rockband and the things I learned in the Wedding Band from "the old guys" were all very useful for the Rockband where everyone was about my age. Every example you mentionend is 100% true! Great Video !

i really love these kind of videos where you talk about the more "meta" aspects of music. of course the most essential part of playing music is, well, playing but i've never seen anyone talk about this other kind of stuff. as someone who just started their first band recently (hopefully we can gig next year!), i really value this. thanks!

Speaking of Anvil.... they played my stupid little town and my band opened. Lips is a total sweetheart and an absolute professional. They came back a second time about a year and a half later and they recognized us and remembered our names! I couldn't even believe it. They must take notes or something...lol

Don’t ever premiere new (untested) equipment at a gig.... and try to have back up gear when possible

The Blues Brothers movie, the gig at Bob's Country Bunker.... ... should have had a contract :D

+1 on the Peavey amps. I use a 1974 Peavey Standard with a matching cab and it is loud as hell.

I’ve owned a 1994 Peavey Bandit 112 Teal Stripe for years & it is loud as heck, & it keeps going & going & going. They make great foundation amps for pedals.

a flashlight can save a gig

Saw Testament on Slayers farewell tour in 2018, out of the dozens maybe close to a hundred of shows I've seen, I've never saw anyone look like they were having as much fun as Alex Skolnik was while he was soloing. Put a huge smile on my face for the entire show.

I've got a video idea: "Bad Tones''. It'll be like your whacky musician vs good musician videos. You play a part of a song with a good tone, then you do the same part but with a horrible tone and see how much of a difference it can make.

Wisdom is how we apply knowledge. Good stuff

This guy is so motivating in all his videos.

Related to the contract thing: It's possible that the promoter, the venue or the manager doesn't wanna write up a contract. First of all, that's a red flag, but if you decide to go on and play the show regardless, here's what you can do: 1. There are contract templates online specifically for bands. Read some of them and edit them to your specifications (also: read a lot of band contracts so you don't mess up accidentally when editing them). That way, if the promoter says they won't do contracts, you can say: "That's okay, we have our own. Here. You can sign it." 2. If you're not confident on your contract writing skills (which is a skill in and of itself), make sure to ALWAYS communicate via email or text messages with the promoter/manager/venue. That's a way to leave a trace of the negotiations. If they wanna change the conditions at some point, you can pull up the emails or texts and say: "No, that's not what we agreed upon." Always treat promoters/managers/venues with the appropriate level of respect and professionalism, of course. But never forget this: not everyone will try to stiff you, but some people will. Always have an eye out for red flags, and take extra precautions.

@The-Art-of-Guitar The "Old Guy Wisdom" I received was a bit different, Mike, regarding the gear you bring. In past touring punk bands I've played in, I played with crappy(er) guitars and crappy(er) amps instead of the high-end stuff I owned. My logic was "It doesn't matter if it's broken/stolen if it's crappy gear!" One time, an old timer (who I had known in the local scene for a while) came up to me and said "Dude, I *know* you are a Les Paul guy, and I *know* you have a matchless and a Larry, why are you playing the entry level squier strat and the joyo bantamp?" "Because what if it's stolen? Broken? I don't want to eat shit and lose my gear, even if it means struggling to play a crappy guitar." "Well the people out there who came to see you, doesnt what THEY hear matter? Even if it's just ONE dude out there, who is obsessed with your band, doesn't he deserve to see and hear the best 'you' you can put forward?" I had no good answer. if you have fans, don't they deserve to hear the BEST version of you? Meaning, not only the best gear you have, but the gear you feel most comfortable on? The gear you made your record with, that someone out there might love? I think the old dude was right. The fans (even if there are only a couple) deserve my best. Obviously I haven't gigged since COVID started, but when I do, I'm bringing the big guns. Even if that's running my matchless and my Larry Dino wet dry, or through an ABY box. That one person, out there in the crowd? He matters.

I’ve been a bar guitarist in duos and bands for over 20 years. I’ve been puked on, groped, had fights picked, had the PA pulled over, had the power go out, everything. 😅 But it’s amazing. Friends ask me how come I’m able to stay in work so consistently and the answer I give is always the same. I understand I’m not selling music, I sell beer. You keep people in the bar for two or three hours putting money in the cash register and bars’ll keep asking you back. Best way to do that is to know how to read your audience and have a very flexible set list, don’t full yourself into thinking anyone wants to hear the jazz odyssey you’ve been working on for months, they want to sing Wonderwall at max voice capacity after 8 beers, period. And be on time, always bring your A game and remember that for those few hours you;re getting paid you’re effectively staff. Help out the bar staff by collecting a few glasses between sets or if you’ve arrived early and have nothing to do. They’ll appreciate the little things and definitely remember your name.

Been a DJ at clubs since I was about 16. Learn pretty much all of it during those years. So many crazy experiences I have had. Great time. Now I am picking up the guitar and trying to learn.

Old dudes know the deal... I remember a show where I drank a full pint of SKOL and two beers---TERRIBLE idea. I was one-eyeing my pedal board and couldn't hear anything right. I walked off stage after two songs. Horribly embarrassing for my drummer and me. You BOOZE and you LOSE. Don't do it.... But, yes... Leave a tattoo of you in their minds!!!

cool video Mike. didn't start giging til 36 yrs. old. now 56 can relate to most of your advice. great channel !!

I love your videos man. Great work! I pick up so many solid tips and fun things. You've helped me to light that fire and get back into making music again. I got a lot of rust to shake off, but I'm having fun with it. Also that Les Paul is gorgeous and I'm super jealous.

Not only guitar and drums but you teach us really good tips to be a better musician overall. Really underrated video and cant wait for the next lesson!

Man…. That guitar is so beautiful. You give so much to your audience so I’m glad to see you blessed with great instruments!!!🤘🤘🤘

This was fantastic advice and I appreciate you sharing it

It's always fun listening to your stories.

I definitely consider video’s like these a lesson. Well done man I enjoyed it

The best one is the "paid rehearsal " if there's a minimal crowd. I don't know how many great bands have split cause of uptight members stressing about the door count. Another one might be to make sure when you "tour", make sure you have enough cash to do the whole trip + get back home, and a good "float" for vehicle repairs and miscellaneous.

I played a show where there was no stage and there were several beer spillages. Our singer is very jumpy and I remember pushing the trail of beer away from him and my pedals with my foot.

Great video - I really needed to hear some of these!

"You don't need another guitar"

Great Tips! Number 12 is the easiest to forget in my opinion, years, years ago I was in a band with a guy that was so serious(nothing wrong with being serious in music, it is your career after all) but you could feel how tense he was on and off stage, scared of making a mistakes etc - and that my friends created a bad atmosphere. He is doing very well now, as a teacher :)

Thanks for sharing Mike, great stuff as always 🤟🏻

The-Art-of-Guitar: You don't only have to play professional, you also have to dress and look accordingly. Rory Gallagher: Well, crap!

Put on the same show for 20 people that you would for Twenty thousand. People will connect to you, and will remember you. It worked for Bruce Springsteen.

Thx for the rockumentary "Anvil". Didn't know this band and I just saw some of the biggest metal stars talking about them. I'll watch it entirely right now. Nice video by the way. Thx Mike.

1st piece of Wisdom: "Check yourself before you wreck yourself" 👌🏾

Excellent advice. I learned some things. Thank you

Watching you control those lights at the Heartless gigs was very entertaining!

Good info. Especially about having fun when playing. Thanks for sharing...

I love these little tip videos. Excellent

Great great tips. I've seen so many bands that don't play their popular songs and the crowd always gets restless.

I've been there with all of these!

Awesome 👍 YES YES YES!! Play with better, older, more experienced players and accept their wisdom!! When it comes to music (and life) remember you can never know everything, but someone knows something important that you don't know! Find those people!! And yeah, like geriwardmusic said, never pay to play!! It will set you apart and make you more professional. Love your channel man!! Rawk on!!

Legend says the world will end if we stop saying that you look like Markiplier.

GREAT WORK! love from nepal!

Awesome. Digging your channel !

Starting a band seems like a serious investment, haha 10/10 editing too

Pearls of wisdom... Been playing every week for 20 + years , 2000+ gigs. So true! . Listen up!..

Great advice! I relate to just about everything. I’m fortunate though, I’ve never not been paid!

Great video! This should every young band see. Last advice is the one is really important. If you look like you dont enjoy being in the stage, why should people enjoy watching you on stage.

That was awesome Thank you for sharing

Mike I give you a lot of credit for having the balls get in front of a camera and talk about your mistakes. It will help some many people.

Those were good! I got one: always sound check someone's gear b4 using it in a concert/live setting. I used someone's gear and didn't test it b4 hand. It wasn't working and it got time for my solo and nothing came out. It was an important lesson. Always check b4 you use someone else gear! Oh and always respect said gear too...

4:20 the amp story, i’ve got an old crate amp from 89, it’s solid state 120 watt with a 4x12. Loud and reliable. OG speakers still sound great.

Great video!!

good wisdom, i'm up there in age and i'm older now but these lessons you teach ALL of them are things i wish i knew when I was out there , back in the day . And so now you are re-teaching them to me...You force me to learn. Thanks for your sharing. Well I made a religion out of all these do nots . Listen to the Man. and dont kid yourself.kid write these down 12 tips and carry them in your wallet it will pay off sooner than later.

I have a Peavy tube head and 4x12 cab, thing is a beast and has a killer organic sound. I was in a death metal band and didn't even use any fx pedals. I wasn't that happy with it at first but I got so many compliments on my tone at almost every gig. Peavy is definitely reliable

Nice guitar brother 🤘🏼

now he became the old man without the old man looks

Great advice.

Ah the old peavy amps. I still have the peavy express 112 that I bought with summer job money at 14 years old. I am 44 now. Still works fine and the transtube 112 I bought a few years later. I was in a local cover nad for a few years that branched out to about a 3 hour drive radious. While I have a dual rectifier half stack. Many smaller places I would just bring a digitech rp500 and a powered monitor.

More DRUM techniques pls. Danny Carey!!!

#1 Show up #2 Bring Equipment #3 Save your money #4 don’t sleep with band mates girlfriend #5 stay healthy #6 Own your songs and publishing

Mike ..this is golden

Thanks for your wisdom :)

2:28 my experience was the exact opposite actually, I come from a jazz background where improvisation over changes is encouraged, so I always liked it more when people deviated from the solo, because I never really considered solos to be set in stone (unless it's like, the main motif or something)

nice guitar!!! good stories, too

In my 800ish Twin Cities gigs, maybe had a contract for a dozen, and those were events rather than bar gigs usually. Bars often didn’t want the hassle and would book somebody else if you demanded a contract.

Good stuff. But I found myself especially drawn to the vintage stereo equipment to your right. I'm guessing Sansui. But only because I own some myself. Would like to hear more about that. Also interested in the pedalboard photo that you featured since I own several of the same effects. Would like to hear something about the order that you choose to place them, and why. Rock on!! Oh, and I also own that same burgundy V off to your left. Except mines the 125th Anniversary Edition. Also, have a black Les Paul with gold hardware & speed knobs. You sure have great tastes in the equipment that you choose....lol.

3 hour show? The joys of youth!

Dress the part ... I immediately think: Rammstein, Wes Borland, Fred Durst (recently), Manson, Powerwolf (the lot), Sabaton (same), Lord of the Lost, Ghost, Slipknot, Eskimo Callboy, Hannes Braun, Malmsteen, Wylde, Angus Young, ...

Cool video, man. You should consider doing a podcast. You have some interesting stories from back in the day.

Good job on tips...Another thing you can do is hire sound & light guy. play at lower volume, let the sound man control your volume..

Yeah, I have learned from many 3 hour shows. Great vid.

and of course half your audience is saying... "Oh that is just old man stuff!"

Thank you

Those words of wisdom all sound obvious to me ... but I'm old, so it checks out. 🤔👍

ah yes, od Peavey gear, love it!

Good decisions come from experience experience comes from making bad decisions -twain m.

I just remebered you mentioning your eye colour in a vid and I just want to tell you they got the most beautiful deep shade The contacts make you look a vampire-y (which is isnt a bad thing) but you just got a really nice to look at eye area

I learned that the crowd doesn't care at my very first gig, I went for a solo with the wah pedal, but all I could hear was terrible feedback coming from my amp, and yet from the crowd I heard cheering, I was very confused.

I see you got the Harmony back:)

Cheers from one of them thar "old guys!"

Me after intro: "Okay, I'm listening..." Me three seconds later: "PACE MYSELF?!!"

I'm 37 and have been playing live since 16. Example 12 is one that follows me as well. I get so stressed out over the whole live experience. I used to have fun but Its so much now, Im thinking of quitting.

Aghhh I remember the first time I threw up while drinking. I was 14 and I had drunk about 5 cans of beer, surprisingly I threw up a couple of hours after doing it. It wasn’t nice and I didn’t drink for about 4 months afterwards😂.

If you can't bring a full stack bring a half stack....its OK. You can do it.i have faith it will work

Ok here me out guys what if Music is win, YourGuitarSage, and The Art of Guitar was all on one video

could you please do a lesson on how to use the chromatic scale ,one of my late teachers hipped me to its importance to intelligent speed but he went on tour with the Crusaders .and ....well . Billy Rogers favorite scale. thank you.

SRV "WAS" pacing himself! Regarding proper stage dress- I saw Satch wear a white t-shirt and jeans for a gig at the House of Blues! Maybe the chrome guitar made up for it! But never wear a bucket on your head! Oh, wait...

This is not the thing to do, I don’t drink nor do drugs. It’s never been my thing. But my nerves were shot by the time show was to start this one time. I had a buddy that give me a hit of marijuana out of a “one hitter” one time, and that was it… I was calm, I was excited to play, and I had a lot of fun that night on the set. I played a flawless show. I was scared it was gonna cause a habit that couldn’t be controlled but I felt normal and focused at the task. I’ve never felt that I’ve had to smoke in later shows, but I’ve always kept in mind that if I ever felt overwhelmed before a show I had a simple solution. I truly believe that because I had a way to overcome any anxiety before a show I haven’t felt anxious like that again. I am not advocating doing drugs, but I was very surprised of the outcome seeing drugs get such a bad rap.

Im about to play in a cover band with all members 20+ years older than me. Thanks

If you have a grandparent that plays guitar or was in a band,it's actually a godsend🙌🏽😅its true when they say,play with people better than you

My band is doing their first gig today... wish me luck, guys.

You BETTER play Freebird!

You should totally grow your hair out again🤣

JAMES SCOTT NICHOLSON,ONTARIO, CANADA 🇨🇦 I JUST AM CHIMING IN TO SAY ,”GOT TO LOVE SKYNYRD AND THEIR, MISSISSIPPI MARSHALS... LOL. (PEAVY) IN CASE YOUR CATCHING UP MY KINDA T.V. TOP LEFT ♥️♥️✌️🇨🇦

Dude....many times at 47 years old would play a 3 hour gig on Saturday afternoon, pack up, set up for another 3-4 hour gig Saturday night, only to do a 4 hour gig on Sunday.