During email exchanges and phone calls with your client, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do the detective work on their musical tastes. Adjust your act accordingly.

However, if you’re a wedding band, beware of offering to learn and play first dance songs. This well-meaning USP is in fact a bad idea for all concerned, because many first dance song candidates are reprehensible, tacky pieces of music, and if you’ve condemned yourself to learn one and rehearse it, you’ll hate every minute of the process.

It’ll waste time and money, and nine times out of 10, you’ll never use it again. You’ll feel like The Beatles allegedly did during the protracted sessions for Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.

Golden rule:

“It’s crucial the client knows exactly what type of band you are, that they’ve seen your set list, preferably seen you in action and at least have heard a representative CD or MP3. There's nothing worse than a band playing the wrong type of material for an event.” Dave Burrluck, Guitarist Gear Reviews Editor