How to rehearse for a concert

Jazzaferri

Wouldnt be the first time

klaatu

Phil wrote:

don't worry if you make a mistake, just play thru it, as only you will notice...
Phil

Very true. 99% of the time, no one will have any idea you've made a mistake unless you announce or telegraph it (don't make faces, in other words).
Re tempo: practicing fast is an interesting suggestion; I don't think I agree, because you want to play clean, and if you practice too fast, you could get sloppy and then repeat that in performance, even at slower speeds. USe your own judgment on that.

One caution about tempo in general. The audience will tend to perceive fast songs as even faster than you think they are, so it's actually a good idea to play a tad slower than you think you should. Just the opposite is true of slow songs, you may need to play them a hair faster than you think they ought to go, otherwise they will tend to drag.

Archtop Eddy

Ben, I like the points you make about how the audience perceives tempo.

Here's a suggestion while setting up your gear: Tune all guitars at least 15 minutes before the gig begin, then put them back in their stands. This way they are ready to go when you go up to play. Nothing steals the thunder from counting off your opening song like someone going, "Wait, wait, I have to tune." AE

klaatu

I got that gem of advice about tempo from my sister years ago. She's a far better musician than I, and she has proven to be right about this. If anyone doubts it, try recording yourself on a fast tune and play it back. You'll probably find that it sounds faster than you thought it was.

Jazzaferri

To play fast I find what works best for me is to practice the phrase or whatever at a speed that is relaxed and clean. At the end of the practice take it up from slow to as fast as can be played not thinking about accuracy or cleanliness. Take note of where the stumbles are, slow down again and play it a few more times cleanly and completely relaxed.