Don�t get caught in the wilderness unprepared.

The Keyboard Players Survival Kit

By Tom Brislin

Whether you�re playing clubs, theatres, weddings, or firehouses, anything can happen at a gig. If you don�t have the luxury of a technician or full crew, you need a survival kit (and even if you do have roadies, it wouldn�t hurt). With some common sense and some planning, you can rest easy knowing that you�re prepared for most of the curves that a gig may throw you. My own experience, as well as that of some players I know, has inspired a checklist of things to bring to the gig. They range from the obvious to the slightly less obvious, and can save you a lot of stress when you�re at the venue.

TOOLBOX VS. MURPHY�S LAW

Yes, you will have the ultimate toolbox. Get a large but easy-to-carry one, as you will be fortifying it with not only basic tools (screwdrivers to remove rack mounted gear, needlenose pliers, wrenches that fit any nuts and bolts on your keyboard stands), but some spare gear as well. Here�s a starter list of items to pack:

Extra batteries.

If you use battery-powered effects pedals, monitor beltpacks, etc., you should replace the batteries before every gig. These costs add up, but losing gigs as a result of a reputation for having gear problems is more expensive. Plus, Murphy�s Law dictates that all batteries lose their juice twice as fast when the show is going great.

Extra earplugs.

Rock concerts have been part of our culture long enough for us to know what happens when we don�t protect our ears. This is especially important if you also do any sort of engineering or mixing as well as performing. Your ears are important assets. I recommend plugging them as soon as you see a sound engineer turning things on at the mixing board. If I had a nickel for every time an engineer destroyed everyone setting up onstage with an accidental blast of feedback, followed by a �Sorry, guys,� I�d be having my own Apprentice show.

Extra power cables and adapters.

Have extras for every keyboard, amp, effects device, etc. If your gear uses standard IEC power cables (like those used on desktop computers and monitors), you can find them easily (second-hand computer stores often have bins full of them, just make sure to test them first). A couple of years ago, my band Spiraling began a tour with the Violent Femmes at the famous First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My principal axe is a Nord Electro 2, which uses a less-common 2-prong power cord. Having made the journey from our home state of New Jersey to Minneapolis, I was mortified to realize that when we got to the gig, I was missing the Nord�s power cord. Thankfully, a friendly crewmember made a mad dash to Radio Shack, found a �travel shaving power kit� with the appropriate cord, and saved my neck completely.

Extra audio cables.

One or two will do for a modest-sized keyboard rig. Your cable may have a lifetime warranty, but Murphy�s Law has a clause about warranties too.

Extra sustain and expression pedals.

Items whose job is to get stepped on all the time break sometimes? Shocking! Although I�ve had sustain pedals last longer than a decade, it�s a good idea to have an extra one. I go through expression pedals rather quickly, but maybe I just jump up and down on stage too much.

Extension cord.

Because AC power always seems to originate on the other side of the stage.
Direct box with ground lift switch.
Many clubs have neon lights or bad internal wiring that can cause a pronounced buzzing sound through your keyboard channel if you go direct into the house sound system.

Towel.

Because the last band just spilled their drinks right where you need to set up.

Duct tape.

It�s the touring musician�s best friend. Tape those cables down to the stage to avoid a nasty trip.

Markers/pens.

For setlists, last-minute labeling, and to sign all of those autographs afterward. Now you�re prepared!