Playing Outdoors in the Cold?

[lpa53]

In the first week of December I will be playing a half-hour set outdoors and it's possible the temperature will be on the chilly side. I've never played outside in the cold before and, since I finger-pick exclusively and my hands tend to get cold with nerves even inside, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for keeping the hands warm. I do have a few of those gel hand warmers but was wondering if there are other things that can be done to help.

[RustyAxe]

My only suggestion is to avoid taking outdoor gigs ... in December ... in Chicago.

[Mandobart]

I have a pair of wool fingerless gloves. They help some. Will there be AC power where you are playing? Bring a small electric space heater. Or a small propane heater if no AC.

[StevenL]

Get a stress ball to squeeze while you're waiting to play. Keep hands in coat pockets till showtime. Don't smoke (tobacco) or drink alcohol before playing. Both actually can make your fingers colder. Best I can do.

One more idea: Take your guitar out of the case and let it get used to the cold Before you tune up. If you take it out of a warm place and tune it in the cold, you may find yourself out of tune after a minute of playing. Enjoy your gig.

[StevenL]

+ Take a brisk walk before playing to get the blood going!

Checked out your youtube songs. Very Nice job. Great sounding guitars and excellent voice. Smooth as silk. No doubt will be a wonderful performance and listening experience for your audience. Would like to be there myself.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

My only suggestion is to avoid taking outdoor gigs ... in December ... in Chicago.

You got that right! But ... I forgot to edit my profile: I just relocated to Flat Rock, NC, just south of Asheville. I lived in Charlotte in the 80s and know it has warm winters but I'm not sure just what the temps will be here in the foothills. I'm about to find out.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by StevenL

+ Take a brisk walk before playing to get the blood going!

Checked out your youtube songs. Very Nice job. Great sounding guitars and excellent voice. Smooth as silk. No doubt will be a wonderful performance and listening experience for your audience. Would like to be there myself.

Thanks for the kind words. I need the encouragement!

[lpa53]

Great ideas, folks. Thanks.

I'll look into the gloves (the wife suggested that, too), get the body moving, avoid alcohol (the gig is hosted by a brew pub!), and get the guitar acclimated. I think I'll practice a bit outside on my deck, too.

[Mr Fixit eh]

Originally Posted by lpa53

In the first week of December I will be playing a half-hour set outdoors and it's possible the temperature will be on the chilly side. I've never played outside in the cold before and, since I finger-pick exclusively and my hands tend to get cold with nerves even inside, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for keeping the hands warm. I do have a few of those gel hand warmers but was wondering if there are other things that can be done to help.

Hi there Ipa53,

I've played around Christmas up here in the Great White North - usually around 0 C = your 32F. Now that is very cold! I can do it for 2 hours, but you have to plan ahead. I see your weather forcast is pretty balmy compared to mine.

A few tips:

• Dress warm and in layers. a thick wool outer sock and boot with thick rubber soles will keep your feet warm. Keeping your feet warm is very key.
  
• Long jons will keep your lower body warm under your regular pants. I also wear a base layer of long-sleeved knit upper and several layers. You can also get too warm if the sun comes out, etc, so be able to take layers off.
  
• I like wearing a mid-weight fleece or sweater with a windbreaker and an insulated vest over top. This keeps me warm in the coldest wind and allows pretty free arm movement.
  
• Keep your head and ears warm - No, I mean really! If you try playing without headgear of some time, it will be really unpleasant. Cold ears can be awful - have a headband or ear muffs available, even if it seems warm when you start out. I have several hand warmer packs that I activate and put one in each vest pocket. Put your freezing fingers in your pocket while you chat it up between songs - It helps.
  
• Buy some stretchy knit one-size-fits-all 99cent gloves and just cut off the fingertips. You'll keep most of your hand warm-ish and still allow playability.
  
• If you can, bring a thermos of hot soup broth or coffee. Sip and play. Save the brewskies for after the gig.
  
• Be strategic in your placement, if you can, set up in the sun and play with your back to a wall to break the wind. The wind can really turn a cool-ish day into a very miserable experience. If you can be sheltered from wind and be playing in the sun, it is a huge, huge comfort difference from being in the shade and wind a few hundred yards/meters away.
  
• Use a cheap laminate guitar guitar, if you can, a laminate guitar is far less bothered by humidity and temperature changes. Generally, the more expensive the guitar, the less it likes temperature and humidity changes. The last thing you want is to come home with a crack in the top, a broken brace, or cracks throughout your guitar's finish. I bought a carbon fiber guitar that works amazingly well in any outdoor temperature/humidity. Before I had the CF, I used a 99$ Epiphone all-laminate cheapie - it worked like a charm for these outdoor conditions
  
• Take a tuner and tune often during the gig. Cold temps and humidity changes will throw your tuning off over a short time period.

And most importantly, plan to have a blast.

Steve

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by lpa53

You got that right! But ... I forgot to edit my profile: I just relocated to Flat Rock, NC, just south of Asheville. I lived in Charlotte in the 80s and know it has warm winters but I'm not sure just what the temps will be here in the foothills. I'm about to find out.

Ah! Well, that's a different thing. My brother is in New London, NC. You'll get highs in the 50's if you're lucky. If your hands are warm when you start, you should finish the half hour without a problem. Good luck (on the weather, that is!). According to usclimatedata.com the average high in December is 49'F

[WonderMonkey]

Wrist warmers are key. Keep that area warm and it really influences how warm the fingers are.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by Mr Fixit eh

Hi there lpa53,

I've played around Christmas up here in the Great White North - usually around 0 C = your 32F. Now that is very cold! I can do it for 2 hours, but you have to plan ahead. I see your weather forecast is pretty balmy compared to mine.

... [great tips]

And most importantly, plan to have a blast.

Steve

Great tips, Steve. Thanks! I'm hoping the weather will indeed be balmy. I can't imagine playing in freezing temps. Skiing, yes, Guitar, no!

My wife is an avid knitter and is making me a pair of woolen fingerless gloves and that should help a lot.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by WonderMonkey

Wrist warmers are key. Keep that area warm and it really influences how warm the fingers are.

My wife is knitting me a pair of woolen fingerless gloves that go up past my wrist so this should be a help.

[redir]

+1 on finger-less gloves. My band used do do an outdoor Halloween party that could be quite chilly at times and they helped a lot.