I don’t perform very often, so each time I do, I go through these steps. I used to wing it, but I realized that a lot of my anxiety came from that. Now, here’s what I do.
STEP 1: Brainstorm Songs
I work backwards from the end result. I’m not just playing songs; I’m serving a specific audience. For this run of shows, I’m billed as performing a “Christmas Concert” at churches, with the pastor as my point person. I gather every potential song that comes to mind.
STEP 2: Put Songs Into a Playlist
This helps me know roughly how long the concert will last if I play each song as recorded.
STEP 3: Order the Songs
I never start with a fingerpicking song; it’s always a strumming song. My hands are usually too cold and clammy for fingerpicking, so I reserve that for at least the third song. I choose songs I’m comfortable playing to warm up, then create a setlist that flows and keeps the audience engaged.
STEP 4: Relearn Guitar Parts (top half) x3
I listen to the top half while relearning how to play on guitar. It’s surprising how little I remember. I do this three times, focusing only on guitar (not singing). You might ask, “Why not just do the whole thing?” Because it feels like trying to eat an elephant.
STEP 5: Relearn Guitar Parts (bottom half) x3
I listen to the bottom half of the setlist while relearning guitar parts.
STEP 6: Singing/Remembering Lyrics (top half) x3
Practice singing and performing the top half of the setlist without tracks.
STEP 7: Singing/Remembering Lyrics (bottom half) x3
Practice singing and performing the bottom half without tracks.
STEP 8: Perform Entire Set (x3)
Practice singing and playing the entire set.
STEP 9: Stories and Banter
After going through everything, know what stories and banter you’ll share between songs. Write it all out from top to bottom.
STEP 10: Putting It All Together (x3)
Run through the script—stories and banter—while performing music from top to bottom.
This is my ideal scenario. I don’t always have time, but I try to do as much as possible. My goal is to build muscle memory so I don’t have to think too hard on stage.
Hope this helps you in your own practice! Feel free to send me any tips you have.