Preparing For Performance

What does "Performance" mean? According to Webster's Dictionary, it is a "display of one's skill or talent". Let's focus on the skill aspect as that's the only thing that we can improve upon. Everyone of us has one or many talents. Talent is defined as "a special or natural ability". What makes for an electric performance is one who has put in the time to hone his skills and is then able to display these skills freely and creatively through the act of performing.

Before working on your material, warm up your voice. I can't say this enough. Your vocal cords and your physical body are your tools. If your tools aren't maintained, they don't work as well nor last as long. We can always buy new tools, however, you can't buy a new voice. It doesn't matter how much money you make as a rock star...it's not going to happen.

For exercises on warming up your voice, use the simple exercises ("Vocal Warmups")on this site.

On to the music itself. One of the first steps is to separate the text from the music. For those of you who are more comfortable playing an instrument rather than singing, this is particularily crucial to you. For you "wordy" types, go through this step, as it will help you to see why one was inspired to set these particular words to music and how to do that.

For more details on this, head to the "Focus on Text" article on this site. Now...on to how to prepare oneself for Performance.

1. Work In Front of A Mirror
   Once you've stopped screaming upon reading this suggestion, go invest in a full length mirror. Mirrors are very good for immediate feedback. It's a good way to determine if the emotions you are feeling are showing up on your face. If you're really plush after playing this next gig, invest in a good video camera. Cameras don't lie and can be less painful than asking a friend to "rate" your performance. You'll be able to see if you're turning away from the audience and showing them more of your back than your face etc...



2. Study The Emotions In Your Song
   Are you clear on what emotion you're trying to get across? This might be the first time you've looked at your song this way. Is the chorus always angry, ironic, funny etc...?
   
   Does the mood of the chorus change after each verse?
   
   Now, look at your verses in your song. Is it the same emotion in each verse or does it become bittersweet, more joyful etc..?
   
   Do the work, it's worth it. Actors study every emotion in a script etc. What is the character feeling? Why are they feeling it? A common tool of the trade for an actor is to apply the completely opposite emotion to a set of words. ie. Say "I love you" with a lot of anger. That's not our usual reaction to these words. Sometimes we can bring up a whole new set of ideas by swinging the pendulum the opposite way that we think we should, . There is no right or wrong answer. After all, this is your song. The point is, If you are clear on the emotions, then your audience will be too.



3. Practice the emotions in a song.
   Practice them? Yup. Aren't emotions something that just come and go? Yes, they are in day to day life. But not in a performance.
   
   Here are some ideas to think about. Again, I stress...to think about. If we are closing our eyes in a performance, are we letting people in or are we shutting them out? If you want to shut them out, then why are you performing?
   
   The urge to write these songs and perform them generally arise from a feeling of wanting to share your music with others.



4. Play the Noun Game
   Pretend that a wall in front of you is a blank movie screen. Your imagination supplies all of the set dressing. Try singing through your song acapella (without any instruments), and point to each noun in the song. ie.. You sing...."I saw you sitting in your favorite chair last night."..point to a chair. Where is it? Everytime you refer to the chair in the song, point back to the same spot. Pointing out the nouns will clarify things for you and set up a movie scene in your mind. The more clear you are in witnessing the movie scene, the clearer it will be to the audience.



5. Practical Matters
   Now that you've rehearsed the song both musically and dramatically, you need to get to the performance.
   
   Bring an extra pitchpipe or tuner (what if the piano is out of tune where you're playing or better yet, there isn't one.) Know where you're going. Drive by the perfoming space before you perform there. Better yet, get inside the venue before you perform there. How do you get on and off the stage?
   
   Do you have access to water? Bring some up on stage with you but be careful how much you drink. If you're guzzling water, you can have a full bladder before the set is over and you really only need to moisten your throat.
   
   You forgot the water? Bite your tongue firmly (not fiercely), this provides an immediate supply of saliva and can be done discreetly between songs.
   
   Foods to avoid on Performance Day:
   
   
   1. Chocolate or dairy products-produces an uncomfortable need to clear ones throat constantly. Bad for the vocal chords.
   
   
   2. Alcohol and Caffeine-both dry out the cords. If you have to have something to steady your nerves, drink at least twice the amount of water afterwards.