What’s in your gig bag? A list of things to have in The ultimate gig bag.

It has finally happened. I am playing in person concerts again and I have a satisfying stream of rehearsals and concerts from next week until Christmas! Yay! As I am gearing up to spend my time driving up and down the freeway to this gigs, I have been working on the preplanning side of things such as What do I need in my gig bag? It has not been used much as of late so I really need to go through it and make sure I have what I need. So I made a list and I have decided to share it with you.

First of all, start with a nice big roomy bad with carry handles and a shoulder strap. I like mine to have lots of zippered compartments and pockets. Then consider equipping it with the following:

• music (a no brainer but disaster if you forget)

• Complete set of replacement strings

• Tuning keys. I also tuck one in my purse.

• Tuner ( I use a tuner app on my cell phone)

• Cell phone

• back up batteries

• phone charger cord

• several sharp pencils

• manuscript paper

• felt picks for glissandos

• wire cutters

• flat head screwdriver

• business cards

• face masks (the new essential)

• hand warmers

• manicure kit

• mending kit

• first aid kit

• arnica gel (nice for after rehearsal rub down for achy hands)

• pain killers (like Tylenol or Advil)

• cough drops

• energy bars

• water bottle

• Safety pins

• Tide pen

• book (to fill time when waiting)

• notepad

• paper clips

• spare hosiery and possibly a pair of spare underwear (and hope you never need to use them)

• and of course Orchestra Flask *totally optional. ( I mean this with a wink. Sometimes my sense of humor gets me into trouble.
  

And there you go, this list should leave you well equipped for whatever a gig can throw at you.

What do you think? What else would you have in your bag?

Happy Harping!