SHASHWAT KARKARE
5 Tips for
traveling musicians
1) Practice, practice, practice
Life on the road is very different from doing individual shows
in a single city. There is no time to rehearse. Neither is there
any peace of mind to write new material. Always go prepared.
Write and rehearse before the travel begins so that doing
shows on the bounce is a breeze. This requires considerable
practice and planning to be prepared for any duration of sets.
Practice makes the whole band confident of every song. Keep
rehearsing till the whole set feels like a tight unit- planned
and cohesive.
2) Keep your equipment safe
Keeping your instruments safe is vital for any
instrumentalist. Every instrument used is a vital cog in a
larger machinery and hence, damaging an instrument while
traveling is akin to damaging the integrity of the set as a
whole. This is where one must take the time to find solutions
to keeping instruments safe so that even if someone else does
not take care of it like you do, it will still be intact. Invest
in cases, locks, and chains even to be assured of everything
being in order. You can never be too careful after all.
3) Keep your health in check
It goes without saying that traveling vast distances and
performing regularly in a short span of time can take a
physical toll on your body. Take care of yourself. Be alert
and aware of your weaknesses and work on them. Do your
research on the places you will be traveling to and find
solutions to troubles. Also try staying levelheaded in times
of emergencies to think on your feet and find fast medical
solutions. Often places will test you physically with changes
in weather and diet. Late night performances will cause lack
of sleep. These are unavoidable circumstances. So one
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should remember to stay hydrated, eat right and avoid risky
situations and/or people.
4) Pack smart for travel
The need to pack smart usually goes unnoticed, but it is
something worth stressing. To become a touring musician,
being good at weight distribution is key. Whether you are
traveling by plane, train or road, it is an important factor.
What does traveling smart mean, exactly? Traveling smart
means packing effectively and efficiently, but also practically.
For instance, it is impractical to travel with just one bag if
it means filling a bag to its limit. Here, packing smart would
mean dividing the weight efficiently and effectively into two
bags or more. Perhaps even scrutinizing to judge if something
heavy is really needed.
Packing smart also means researching on the luggage and
weight restrictions of flights and trains. Crossing the weight
limit can be a huge expense, but an avoidable one. Granted,
you are aware and alert.
5) Keep backups for everything
On the road, it is never easy to buy something that is broken
or misplaced. There could be issues on finding the perfect
substitute, availability of the same, or actually having a
substitute for what is lost. Under duress, many end up settling
for a compromise solution. This is not ideal. It is always
safer and more sensible to keep a backup. One can argue
that just keeping things safe can avoid such a situation. But
many times, it may not be your fault, but you will be at a
disadvantage. Hence, always remember to keep a backup.
Touring with your band is an immensely fulfilling
experience. Logistical problems will always occur. But being
alert, practical and prepared will make it a smooth ride for
everyone involved. Happy travels!