What's in Your Gig Bag?
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:00PM 
1. Music
Why? Because I would like to get called back to play in the future.
2. Lightweight Music Stand
Why? Because sometimes you never know whether there will be enough stands.
3. Peterson StroboClip Clip-On Strobe Tuner
Why? So that I can check my tuning while everyone is warming up before rehearsal.
4. Ion Balu Practice Mute
Why? So that I can warm-up at "full volume" if the stage is fairly quiet, or in some other place in the building if the stage is unavailable.
5. Tom Crown Stop Mute
Why? So that I can not panic when a piece calls for a stopped pedal E.
6. Reading Material
Why? So that I can have something to do when I don't play.
7. USB Charger (for metronome or phone)
Why? Because sometimes I forget to charge things up the night before.
8. Mio Liquid Water Enhancer
Why? Because plain water just isn't good enough!
9. Swiss Army Knife
Why? Because you never know when you're going to have to cut something or make a quick repair.
10. Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Why? I need something to put the Mio in!
11. Peterson BodyBeat Sync Wireless Pulsating Metronome
Why? This metronome has an attachment that allows one to feel the beat through a vibrating pulse instead of sound. It's convenient during gigs where I have to sightread the first rehearsal and I need to check the tempo markings and look at some of the more difficult passages before it starts.
12. Etymotic Ety-Plugs High Fidelity ER20 Universal Fit Earplugs
Why? Because some orchestras really like to place the horn directly in front of the percussion.
13. iPad Wifi + 3G
Why? These days it seems to come along with me everywhere I go.
Reader Comments (1)
Great list! I would add a couple pencils and a granola bar or some kind of simple, nutritious snack and toothbrush/toothpaste for those gigs that have you there for a rehearsal or two and then the performance without the opportunity to get out of the building. You're really good about carrying them in your wallet, but a few business cards are not a bad thing to have also.
Also-be careful when flying to take the knife out of your gig bag. As a woodwind player, I can't tell you how many times my colleagues and I have had to worry at the last minute - oh no, did I remember to take my reed knife and screwdriver out of the case???? :-)