Hello my fellow musicians,
So we have made it to August. People are already talking about school and the upcoming holidays but you know what, I am not ready. I still want the long summer days, hanging out by the pool, shorts and tank tops, but I guess sooner or later, even if I don't want it, Fall will be here. It will happen even if I am not ready. What should I do then? Just like practicing and setting goals, it will happen and if you are practicing for an upcoming show or open mic, it will happen even if you aren't ready. However, getting ready for an upcoming show and not being prepared might be a little worse than not being ready for Fall. Here are some suggestions when getting ready: Choose material that helps you best connect with your audience. In other words, know who you are playing to. Death metal laced with profanity is all wrong for a coffeehouse serving up espresso and hazelnut macchiatos, just as a folk ballad might not be such a good idea in a rowdy bar. It's always a safe bet to know a couple standard crowd-pleasers, like just about anything by the Beatles. If your originals are really good, it's okay to try them out as long as they aren't too long and others can relate to them. And if five people have already covered Dave Matthews, you need to mix it up a little. You will eventually develop both the repertoire and the instinct to know how to go with the flow and tailor your set to best segue from the performer before you while still maintaining your uniqueness. Be prepared! This is so obvious that it shouldn't merit mention here, let alone an exclamation mark, but you'd be surprised how many performers fail to factor stage fright in to their performance. It's okay to be an amateur—that's what open mic nights are all about after all—but know the pieces you're performing. I mean really know them. Inside and out, backwards and forwards, around and through. Because when the nerves kick in, as they will, lyrics and chord changes have a way of evaporating into the smoky air. It's also okay to use a cheat sheet if you must, but remember to make frequent eye contact with your audience. Keep the sheet at your feet, or if the club has a music stand, you can use that. It's also a really good idea to have a spare song or two in your back pocket should you need to make last-minute changes due to another performer's choice of material. Make sure you know these alternate numbers every bit as well as you do the actual songs you've chosen to play. Tune up in advance. You want your guitar to be out of its case and tuned up before you hit the stage. Again, the restroom is the perfect place for this as you won't distract the audience from the performer onstage. Go outside if you have to, even if it's chilly. You may have to tweak your tuning onstage due to hot lights, humidity, or the passage of time, but at least be in the ballpark before you go up there. Some clubs have tuners set up for performers to use, but again, be professional and come prepared with a self-contained tuner that doesn't require you plug in. Do what you need to do to relax. If you need a few minutes to draw some deep, belly breaths before your named is called, close your eyes and take them while the performer before you plays through his set. Yes, people around you might think you've nodded off, but if it helps you be a bit more zen on stage, do it. If you need to perform barefoot to get the job done, go for it. If you need to have your lucky stuffed giraffe within eyeshot, pull up a chair for him. Being good-natured about what makes you feel comfortable up on stage can amuse and charm the audience and get them on your side. A word of caution is warranted here. Whatever you do, don't perform drunk. Please drink responsibly if your name is on that list. Know your limits. Many people embarrass themselves by having a few too many before taking the stage. You don't want it to be you, trust me. If you've had one too many, there is no shame in going to the host and admitting this. You don't want to get on stage and forget lyrics, have your fingers tripping all over themselves, or have the host intervene on behalf of the venue. You'll be too embarrassed to ever show your face in that joint again. Be mindful of your consumption. It's one thing to have a drink to relax. It's another thing entirely to drink your face off and be so loose you can't keep it together. These are just some suggestions but they are important ones. So let's appreciate where we are and what season it is but let's also start getting ready for whatever may be coming our way! See you out there Debbie
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AuthorDebbie De Steno - Guitar Teacher Archives
November 2018
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Photo used under Creative Commons from angelocesare