My first snapped string (+ other reasons to play live)

I remember playing a show in Iowa. I had never heard of Ragbrai before, but you never forget performing for tens of thousands of bicyclists on a multi-day ride. 

My friend was the star. I was there as second guitar and backup vocals. A local band was providing bass, drums and keys and I was supposed to keep them up to speed with the keys and the transitions so during the first song when one of my strings snapped I was a bit frazzled. 

The band all looked to me for direction between verses and chorus and I was frantically trying to tune up after ripping my string from the tuning peg. But there was a bigger problem - I didn't have any extra strings. I had flown to Iowa for a gig and forgotten to pack extra strings. 

So I got the guitar in tune, played the rest of the set with the remaining 5 strings still attached to my D-60 Larrivee and never took a gig again without extra strings in my case. 

The embarrassment from that gig taught me a valuable lesson - always be prepared for the worst. Yes, you hope for the best, but you prepare for the last thing you want to happen. 

I can't tell you how many times a string has snapped during a live performance since that hot event in Iowa, but one thing has been true of all of them - I've been prepared. 

In fact, my wife once joked that unless I've snapped a string I haven't really given a great performance. 

All that to say, if you're still learning, whatever your level, start performing live. Could just be posting on a facebook group, could be playing for a friend or two around the house, or hitting a local open mic. Whatever it is you don't have to wait to start. In fact, in the failures (of which I have many) you will learn a whole lot more than watching or reading someone else. 

So get out there and jam, rockstar. 

And if you want help I'm always here. Just shoot me an email. I answer every one. 

Jam soon, 
J.B.