Thrive Live

Eight Steps To Onstage Acoustic Success

Plug into the PA and away you go… hang on, not quite. Playing with your acoustic onstage can often feel like an afterthought compared to how we fuss over our electric tones, but there’s always room for improvement. You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.

1 IT STARTS WITH YOUR PLECTRUM

Let’s begin with something simple. Essential but often ignored. Your plectrum choice has a big impact on the feel and the sound of your playing, no matter what guitar you’re playing. With an acoustic it’s just as important. Heavy plectrums are going to make for a more percussive sound (too heavy and you could risk string breakages) but also volume. They’ll also help any picked parts cut through in a band mix. A softer option (around .60mm) could be better for strummy chord parts, or when you’re playing solo and need a mellower approach that’s easier on the audience’s ears and not fighting in the mix to be heard.

Tip: Try using a medium and lighter plectrum for different songs in the set depending on the dynamics. Keep them handy by tacking them on your mic stand or the upper bout of your guitar.

2 CONSIDER YOUR PICKUP CHOICE