String Musician Essentials for Outdoor Wedding Gigs!

There's a lot that can go wrong when planning a wedding, so the live music should be the last thing the couple has to worry about. If you're the musician gigging at a wedding, though, it's your temporary raison d'etre, and you owe it to your clients to be as professionally equipped as possible. Besides the wedding party and the officiant, the musicians are the most visible and involved people in the proceedings of the ceremony. You have to showcase your talent and musicianship while tailoring the music to fit the timing of the event. You have to perform in an unusual space, and sometimes sight read with musicians you've never worked with before. And you have to account for the weather and last-minute changes. Luckily, having the right accessories can help you avoid minor and major embarrassments at your next wedding gig. Below are some music accessories (and tips) that are essential to a successful wedding season.

A sturdy, windproof, and backlight-proof music stand is required. There are three main types of stand-related catastrophes at outdoor weddings. The first is that the stand is too weak to hold up a heavy collection of music; wire stands often have too shallow of a desk for a thick stack. The second is that the stand tips over because it's top-heavy or the base is too narrow. And wire stands, unlike stands with a solid-panel desk, are notorious for letting wind carry music away no matter how well it's secured. Stands with holes or a wire desk also let light through a single page, making it hard to read without a folder or binder behind it. A portable, heavy-duty, solid-desk stand solves all three problems. The Peak SMS-20 is a great choice: a tubular steel frame, a fold-up polycarbonate desk, and a 24" x 6" x 6" carry bag. For players who want the classic all-metal option, the Manhasset Voyager is the professional standard, though it's worth checking current stock before you count on one for a specific date.

Keep your music from blowing away! A solid desk isn't enough to guarantee your music stays put in windy or drafty conditions. Most built-in "page holders" only grip the bottom corners. The Manhasset Musiclip is a transparent plastic clip that runs the full height of the stand for a firm, secure grip and works with most stands.

Be able to carry your gear efficiently. You might not know the parking situation for the next gig, and you may have to move from the ceremony to the reception in very little time. Being able to carry your instrument and everything else on your back or in one hand lets you open doors, shake hands, hand out business cards, and stay out of the wedding cake. For cellists, a backpack-style cello case saves your back and shoulders while carrying your music. For violinists and violists, the Joey Case Carrier turns your case into a backpack, freeing your hands and adding zippered storage for an orchestra folder, accessories, and a phone or tablet. If you're a bassist who gigs, look into a Xeros Bass Wheel, which lets you roll the instrument instead of carrying it.

Be comfortable sitting quietly with your instrument. A well-padded folding stool makes hard folding chairs bearable, whether you're playing a ceremony and a two-hour reception set back to back. Browse Shar Music's chairs and stools for options built for gigging musicians. For violinists and violists, it can be hard to turn pages or clip music to the stand with an instrument and bow in hand, especially when the case is tucked out of sight during photos; the String Swing Mic Stand Violin Hanger attaches to a music stand and safely holds the instrument and bow while you sit or wait to play. For cellists, the AcoustaGrip Virtuoso Contour Cello Pad allows the cello to rest against the body without uncomfortable pressure.

Stay hydrated, and don't make a mess. Whether it's coffee, tea, or water, an insulated, closing drink tumbler is a must for hot or cold outdoor gigs. Always plan to bring your own beverage; venues don't always provide something practical to drink from mid-set.

Tune without disruption. If you're playing outdoors or in a dry hall, an instrument can drift out of tune as it adjusts to the climate. A clip-on tuner, like a Korg Pitchclip, lets you tune quickly and nearly silently. Browse Shar Music's metronomes and tuners for current options.

Diversify your rosin collection. Rosin responds differently in different temperatures and humidity. A dark rosin that works well in winter or a dry, air-conditioned studio can get too sticky at a summer outdoor wedding. Shar Music's Hill Light Rosin is a good option for hot or humid conditions, since light rosin is less sticky and grips less aggressively than dark rosin. Browse the full rosin selection to find the right grade for your climate.

Have a good collection of music for last-minute gigs or instrumentation changes. Wedding gigs can pop up the night before an event: someone gets sick or injured, a group is double-booked, or a sub is needed. Keeping a collection of string quartet, string trio, and duet wedding repertoire on hand makes it possible to pick up an extra gig at a moment's notice. It's also worth keeping the lighter instrumentations in the car in case a member of the ensemble has car trouble or an emergency.

Consider having an “outdoor” instrument or bow. Carbon fiber bows have come a long way in quality while staying affordable, making them a great choice for players who don't want to risk a fine bow at an outdoor gig. Shar Music's Presto bows and CodaBow are both solid options built for durability in tough performance conditions. Many players whose main instruments cost thousands of dollars also keep a second instrument on hand, one nice enough to satisfy their artistic standards but not so precious that they're worried about hot sun, possible rain, extra travel, or an accident. A Franz Hoffmann® or Carlo Lamberti® violin can make a convincing stand-in for a finer instrument at an outdoor gig.