Ready for your Gig?

Recently I had the unfortunate experience of forgetting a piece of equipment and did not discover it until I was setting up at the show.

No major issue - a crash cymbal, but still important to me and my temporarily rocking my confidence in preparing for the show. The next day I started thinking about ways to alleviate any risk of forgetting in the future.

Is a checklist the answer? Well for me I considered this first as a solution - but given most every gig is a bit different, the practicality of having a master checklist did not make sense.

A full second set of drums just for gigging out? Well............not really practical either. While I do have two full sets and stands, I do not have two complete sets of cymbals - and/or I have a personal preference for which kit and cymbals I use based on the gig itself.

Lastly, I also carry a fair number of percussion items, wires, microphones, in-ears, stands and once again - this changes for every gig.

I landed on a simple visualization technique. I literally take about 10 minutes before I pack up and before I leave my driveway and visualize myself at the performance. Specifically, I review the setlist if available and visualize myself playing the kit, hitting cymbals, sitting on the stool, singing - you get the idea. I go through this in my mind and where I placed each item in the car. Sounds crazy but it works!

Last but not least, I can easily find my car in the parking lot after a long gig by looking for my DW Sticker on the rear window. another visual aid after a long night is always helpful...