Guitarist: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering guitarist
You offer live guitar performances for restaurants, ceremonies, parties and private events. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.
What customers ask
- Do you play acoustic or electric, and do you bring an amplifier?
- Can you play quietly during dinner and then play a featured song?
- Which genres do you play, and can I pick the songs?
- Can I hear a recording from an event like mine?
- What do you need from the venue for power and space?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask about the event type, the moments that need music, the setting and whether the customer wants background or featured music
- Send a recording of you playing live in a similar setting, labeled with the genre and room type
- Put the background and featured sets, the song list and the equipment in the written quote
- Share a sample repertoire by genre so the customer can choose the style they want
- Confirm the power source, the speaker needs and the setup space with the venue before the event
- Ask for the customer's song list at least two weeks ahead, and confirm any chord sheet or recording needs
- Bring spare strings, cables and a backup guitar, and say who could substitute if you are ill
What to put on your profile
- Recordings of live performances on acoustic and electric guitar, labeled by setting
- Photos of your setup at real events with the guitar visible
- A list of the genres you play best, with a sample repertoire
- Your insurance status and the types of venues where you have played
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a song review call to confirm keys, tempos and the order of the set
- Suggest a sound check with the venue to set the volume before guests arrive
- Recommend a request policy in writing, so the customer knows which songs you take during the set
Licenses and permits
No state license is usually required for guitar work. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and a written note of the venue's noise rules, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency before taking jobs.
Questions
Do I need music licensing for the songs I play?
Venues often hold public performance licensing for recorded music. Ask each venue what it covers and what you are responsible for, and note the answer in the contract.
How do I pick the right volume for a restaurant?
Agree on a level with the venue, play below conversation volume and check the room during the first song.
What if a customer asks for a song I do not know?
Politely say so and offer a song from your set that matches the mood. Tell the customer ahead of time whether you take unplanned requests.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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