Gig Bags
aka “What’s in my bag?”
Thank yous!
Special thanks to my friends who helped with contributing and inspiring some of the info below!
Table of Contents
All Gigs
The items below are essentially “in my bag” for every gig I play.
NOTE: Make sure you label everything below, even your music! (I use ultra-fine Sharpie for sticks/mallets and pencil for music)
All sticks, mallets, beaters you will need (plus alternatives, and any possible mallet you could possibly need)
Music
Yes, a no-brainer, but definitely bring all of your music
Score(s)
It’s crucial to have scores available to pieces, if the scores are available. Study those ahead, of course. I like to cue up different movements with Post-Its or other quick-reference tabs. Usually rehearsals move FAST.
Folder for music
I need something large and sturdy that will fit in the front of my Marimba One bag pouch.
This link isn’t exactly what I use, but it looks similar. Of course I prefer black color as to not draw undue attention to you in the concert.
Black towels
I will usually bring two more black hand towels more than I need.
I will occasionally bring the bath-towel size black towel
P.S. Blue is not Black
Pencils
I’ve used wood pencils (not mechanical) for a long time. I’ll always keep one mechanical pencil in the bag, as a backup.
Bring so many of these to rehearsal. SOOOOO many.
If you print out your own parts or have your own copy of the music
I also bring red and blue pencils to mark important points or reminders in the music.
Don’t put colored pencil on music that isn’t yours! (i.e. rental music, music that’s provided for you), even if there are colored pencil marks on it already!
Ear plugs - always.
Cough drops
I have never really used these, but I live in fear that I’ll have a coughing fit in the middle of the slow movement of Beethoven 9 and I’m just sitting there hacking away…
Altoids
Many times after concerts I have meet-and-greets and I want to be “curiously strong”.
Clothing
Sometimes dress for a concert changes, so I recommend always bringing (just in case):
Jacket
Tie (both long and bow)
Black socks (extra in the bag)
Wear black all day
My last few years living in NYC I resorted to wearing all black every day because you never know when a gig call would come and I could always sneak by with all black, even if I was in a t-shirt and black denim, from afar it could pass in a pinch.
Wear clothes to dress
Also, be VERY sure that you can make it home before a gig. I almost always wore my concert clothes to the dress because I couldn't count on transportation in NYC.
Food
Always in the bag:
Moon gels - there’s no substitute for this. Just get em.
Handkerchief for dampening snare drum, or timps or pocket square coolness
Drum key - I’m not one for keeping it on my keychain, but always in the gig bag.
Adjustable crescent wrench
This can be used for congas of multiple sizes, and also can help fix a wobbly stand or a loose nut/bolt on an instrument.
Book
There may be down-time in rehearsal or in-between concert and the gig.
Looking at your phone in rehearsal is weak-sauce.
If you’re interested in some fun reads, check out my Reading List.
Scotch tape
for taping music, emergency instrument fixes, labeling things, probably many other things.
Water bottle
For me, tea is my happy place so I always have a Thermos with me, but get in the habit of having a water bottle, etc. around. It’s healthy.
Small practice pad and snare sticks (even if you’re not playing with sticks)
This is good for warming up and working on technical issues before rehearsal or between rehearsal and concert.
Attitude
Your attitude on the gig is almost as (sometimes more) important than your playing. Keeping a collaborative and professional mindset is crucial. This could include coming early to help setup and staying late to tear down and staying positive, even in less-than-ideal circumstances (which are frequent in gigging life.
Sometimes your section or members of the ensemble will go out for food/drinks after a rehearsal or concert. If at all possible, GO! It is important to build these connections and get to know your colleagues. I know I need to take this advice myself more…
Process
***Inspired by Mike Compitello***
Have a system for keeping mallets/music/etc. together in a bag in between the rehearsals and concert. Mike C. and I are similar in that we want to keep a dedicated bag untouched in-between rehearsal and concert, except if you need to review/practice your part. Sometimes this means playing other repertoire or teaching with different mallets in the interim time.
If you MUST use mallets in the interim, leave yourself multiple Post-Its and reminders when you take something out of your gig bag. Taking something out of your gig bag in the middle of a rehearsal/concert cycle should be a Spidey-Sense moment for you.
The Bags
I store most of my mallets in either the Marimba One bag or the Steve Weiss version of the same bag. The SW version is larger, which is great for storage, but I don’t want to bring that to a gig unless I absolutely have to - especially if I am flying.
My carry-on suitcase is a Lands’ End roll-aboard that I was given as a gift in 2005 or something. (Needless to say they don’t make that specific model anymore.) Not only is it a fabulous suitcase, but I was able to securely place my Marimba One stick bag in there (separately I could fit my Axiom 25 in there too, when I was doing funky gigs). Recommendation: bring your “go-to” stickbag with you to the suitcase store (does that even exist anymore?).
My bass drum and tam mallets won’t fit in a traditional stick bag, so I needed a more open, square-shaped bag. Luckily enough I had one sitting around!
Home Storage
I do split storage of my mallets between my home and office. In the office I have a pegboard system, but at home I use the bags I listed above and label them with colored luggage tags. If you’re interested, you can click the button below for the luggage tags.
Timpani
Tuning fork
Timpani mutes (even if you never practiced with them or don’t think you need them)
Supplies for DIY timpani gauges
FYI: If the gig is renting timpani, make sure to ask for a bass stool or timpani throne.
Also FYI: you may have to stand to play timpani sometimes!
Bass Drum
Black soft cloth (to be draped over drum or knee). This cloth should not be a towel because the towel has a sewed hem that could buzz on the skin of the drum. I got fleece from Joanne Fabrics and use it for a lot!
Rute, if needed
A lightly spring-loaded triangle clip or two
Small snare drum stand base to rest foot on for dampening
Tambourine
Bring more tambourines than you think you need
My usual “go-to’s” for gigs are:
6” tambourine from Guitar Center
I bought this for Four Sea Interludes, but sometimes use it for live churches or halls to be clear and thin out the sound.
My bag for a tambo gig is the Black Swamp gig bag. It is unfortunately discontinued by BSP, but I have enjoyed it in my professional life. If someone has another recommendation, I’m happy to hear about it!
Beeswax - this you can get from a hardware store or Amazon. I don’t have a recommended link because I still have a huge stash from undergrad. If you have a recommended link, let me know and I can add it here!
Heating pad/hair dryer (for those humid outdoor gigs)
Triangle
monofilament fishing line
small scissors (remove these for flying!)
Waaaaay more clips than you think you need
Of course, rod, Stoessel, teardrop, etc. all the beaters you can fit in the bag
For Triangle gigs I use the Black Swamp Gig Pouch
cloth/cut-up towel, just in case you have to mount the triangle on your music stand.
small piece of wood with hole drilled for suspending on cymbal stand (painted black helps!)
Solo Recital
Stand-Outs (if you have Manhassett Stands)
Reminder to bring sheet music for every piece, even if you have a piece memorized. It is good for review and “just-in-case” moments.
Special Considerations
Small-diameter string - this could be used to keep small Thai gongs from swinging
Pen (for signing contracts/W9/etc.)
Clothes pins or paper clips for outdoor gigs or in case you’re in front of the HVAC vent!
If you read music off of an iPad
charger for the iPad
bluetooth pedal
cable to charge your pedal
be sure to charge between dress and concert
Keep your iPad awake during the concert, after you have it paired
Contact
As always, if you have any questions or thoughts, please click below to contact me. I’d love to hear from you!