Monday, May 16, 2011

Dont make them wait

Audiences have to be journeyed throughout the sets we deliver onstage and they are not prepared to wait for the next song, they want it to all just happen for them nurturing their mood all the way.  It is up to the Artist to do that! Transitions from one song to another need to be designed with the design of the set list so everyone knows where they are heading, Artist and Audience.
Practice and Rehearse!  I don’t know how many times I say these words to the people I work with.  Nothing just happens there has to be a plan in place in order for things to run smoothly.  It is unfair to the people watching us if they have to wait continuously throughout our sets.  They are there to be ENTERTAINED.
From the beginning you must realise that it is not all about you, it is about the audience. Everything you do from the stage is for your audience. Without an audience you have no place to go. You want the audience to journey with you.
You need to establish and maintain a relationship with your audience. Let’s refer to your relationship with your audience as a marriage. You are not just dating them you are married to them, they are part of your family.
You are the director of events for the duration of your performance. Your responsibilities are to love, lead, understand and surprise the audience from the time you walk on to the stage.
Your audiences become your fan base, look after the relationship, it is one of your most valuable assets as a performer.


Band = Team = Family

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning the 5 stages:       Bruce Tuckmans Research

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/tuckman.htm
I am currently doing a Certificate 4 in Music.  It is very interesting and one of our first modules is related to performance and the creation of a band.  As a solo artist of minimal years this is a whole new area for me so I am indeed finding it quite interesting.
Looking for Members: Initial consideration for putting a band together would have to be “the what and who” we need to create the vibe.  We need to look for members that will take the chance to have fun with their music onstage.  We need people that we like, people that we have things in common with. Can we generate the good vibe as a TEAM in order to have fun with audiences?  We need to really consider the core factors.  Personalities and compatibility of personalities is a very important factor.  We will spend a fair bit of time together and we want a relationship that is cool and allows us all to be creative in this joint venture.

Making time

This post is for all those who have a passion to perform but continually have difficulty in managing time frames.  Time frames that allow the growth to flourish.  There can be so many set backs and at times we will inevitably feel defeated, deflated and even a little depressed.  Well shake off that negative energy and go forth in order to succeed.

Join our organisation on facebook!

We here at the AICM are establishing ourselves on the internet and would love everyone who visits this blog page to become our friend on FACEBOOK.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AICM/142857975731145
Help us build our friend base and keep in touch with what’s happening in our scene!
New blog post pending!!!

Performance is boring if you dont feel your getting any better

I have had a very interesting week.  I have watched some students really step up and demonstrate commitment to their onstage craft development.  Others that should be demonstrating previously shared knowledge are still reluctant in application.  These few are confident they are doing great and are at the moment in the “no need to improve anything here” mode. I remain confident in their development, may be just a little slower.
Commitment and Application
I want to become better than great at what I do and I want the same for them.
I want my students to be relaxed and exude the confidence of knowing what they are doing when they are onstage.  I want that relaxed confidence to be part of their presence when they are performing.  I want them to feel the excitement that such a relaxed confidence gives and I want their audiences to be able to bask in the aura it will create for them.  An aura that only knowledge and application of the onstage fundamentals creates and generates.  They don’t need to be the best at singing or dancing or juggling or any other art but they do need to be the best they can be for their audiences.  To achieve this they need to seek as much knowledge as they can and take it on board working with it to improve what they do.

Sound investment

Many times we spend sums of money on things and watch our purchased goods or materials wear out, be thrown out or simply the novelty has worn out so they get passed off or put away.  Money the eternal evil.  We are at times really frivolous with it and buy the unnecessary. As we develop our OnStage Craft we appreciate the value of good tuition, equipment, clothes etc. that we need to purchase yet we baulk at the thought of spending the money.   We can be scroogy and hesitate.

Respect

Hello to all once again.  This is going to be just a really short thought to share.
Tim Robbins was talking on television this morning as I was preparing to leave for work and he made a really important statement that hits the nail right on the head in the performance arena.
I quote,
“Always imagine that your audience members have spent their last dollars to come to your show“.
What a superb way of looking at it.  They don’t have to be there but they are and for that you owe them.  You owe them a grateful RESPECT .  You owe them a great experience, they have spent their hard earned money.  Even if there is no cover charge they will still be spending their hard earned dollars to be at the venue whether it be on food or drinks etc etc. If you view your audiences with this outlook you will deliver your best. It will always be at the forefront of your mind “I must deliver the goods“.  It is a sign of your appreciation to them and in turn they will appreciate your efforts.  Remember in a performers life it is not all about you. It’s not what can the audience do for you, it’s what you can do for your audience.  Have fun and enjoy and they will enjoy their experience.

Teenage trauma

Start grooming yourself as a public person when you begin you musical application.  A self disciplined grooming.  A disciplined respect for yourself, those around you, and what you are wishing to achieve.
You can blow it in an instant.  An impulsive decision can lead to your demise and haunt you for years.  It can disconnect you with the people who admire you and disappoint those who love you.  We are only human so it’s not difficult to make mistakes.
You need to be aware of situations that could lead to your personal and public demise.  Stay alert,  summarize situations with an educated outlook!  Don’t be impulsive.
As a teenager it is hard at times to communicate your feelings to parents but it is the one thing that will assist in clarifying which direction and what actions you should pursue.  A lack of communication between teens and parents is not always because the parents don’t understand even though “the teenager” will dispute this.

Memphis and the beaty of the blues

Westbound, Highway 70, Nashville, Jackson and Memphis,  Greyhound Schedule 1539, October 7.  The station was jam packed with people from all races.
I’m boarded and leaving Nashville.  I have had the most amazing experiences in a most amazing City and am sure that I will return.   A strange but real sadness fell upon me.  In 10 short days I had grown to love Nashville, a place so far from my home and so different from my home in Queensland, Australia, but now embedded my heart.  I had found a new side of me on the other side of the world.  It’s funny how writing this blog now, some 3 months later, I feel a quiet yearning for the daily exhilirence of the adventure.  What would Memphis bring?

The fear of change and chance

It seems each and everyone of us has a degree of trouble dealing with CHANGE when we are comfortable with situations and things as they are. We also battle with the thought of having to step out of our comfort zone and take a CHANCE on something unknown or unfamiliar.  There is a simple one word explanation, “human”.  Thank heavens for that, it’s not just me!
This week I have experienced moments with people when the reality of this fear has hit home with me. Ahhhh, there is such enlightenment with age.
With the pace of change in everything that surrounds our day to day operation, business and personal, how can we not face the challenge of change with an accepting mind.

Welcome back

Well it has been such a busy time since I traveled to Nashville. It seems so long ago but still so fresh in my sights.  Nashville, Memphis and more 2012, I cannot wait!
Until yesterday I had not even really thought about my blogging and how much I enjoy sharing little things with lots of people, so indeed Welcome Back!!!
I would sincerely like to thank the people or person at Spotify that left an inspirational comment on this blog page.  It is little things like “that small sentence” that really motivate someone like me to continue to be motivated.  Thanks and I hope that my coming blogs will will be enjoyable reading for you.

The grand ol opry

October 5th, 2010 took the bus to the Opry.  Would like to have taken a limo but maybe in my next life.  What a venue!  Any Country Music Artist would be excited to perform on that stage.  The centre piece of the huge stage is “The Circle”, a 6 foot round piece of dark oak wood cut from the stage at the old venue, The Ryman Auditorium.  A circle of wood that has had the footsteps and foot stompin boots of the the worlds cream of country artists upon it.  To become a member of this iconic venue would be a dream come true to so many.  Weekly concerts have been hosted and broadcast via 650 WSM AM since 1925. The night I was there was the 85th Birthday of just that.  Reaching over 30 states, the Opry for many years was the weekly entertainment for many folk that would design their events and gatherings around it.  The focus is Country Music and the commitment is keeping the History alive.  They do it so well.  To a first timer there is little evidence of the destruction that occurred May 2nd 2010 when Nashville was inundated with waters spilling from the meandering Cumberland River.

Glittering in gold

Well today I am in Memphis but I must take the time to tell you about yesterdays adventures.  I took my last across town journey on the bus.  Destination West End.   Past the original Union Train Station, (a majestic old building), there are two iconic landmarks in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University and my destination, The Parthenon, which I easily got lost in for about 3 hours.  I have never considered myself a lover of Art Museums but it was mesmerizing and thoroughly enjoyable.  Entering Centennial Park, recognised as Nashville’s most urban recreational park, at first sight I was taken aback at the enormity of this building, The Parthenon.  Wow, it was just like I had remembered seeing it in history books, but it was here and so was I.

The country music hall of fame

Sing Me Back Home”, an exciting exhibit that depicts the journey of Country Music over the last two Centuries.

The initial announcement of the pending creation of the “Country Music Hall of Fame” was way back in 1961.  This announcement was delivered by Ernest Tubb at the Grand Old Opry.  This announcement was complimented by the unveiling of bronzed,  life like plaques of the first three inductees.  Jimmie Rogers, Hank Williams and Fred Rose, the very 1st inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  They have lead the way for countless others that have carved the passage of a genre’ of music that satisfies millions around the globe today.

Much more then music

Tennessee, the name, was derived from the Cherokee Indian word, Tanasai. In 1796 it became the 16th State of the Union. I would need a lot more time than I have to properly explore Nashville. It is a history lesson, and I am only covering the immediate area of Downtown, just touching the edges. There are many outer area landmarks that tell the tales of the bloodied battlefields and Stately Sir’s of a long gone era. I know I keep saying it but it is amazing! Part 1 of my day, explore Capitol Hill State building and the surrounds. The architecture in this area gave Nashville the tag “The Athens of the South” because of the greek influence in the building structures. Towering columns of stone and marble, bronzed statues, ornate carvings, everything finished with refined detail. Such craftmanship. Culturally it was a leader. It was the first state to develop a public school system.

Two days with tom jackson

I’m exhausted but so inspired!! I have been watching Tom Jackson dvd’s for a few months now but there is nothing like the real thing. Wow, that man waves his magic method and whoolah the lights flash and the whistles blow. A tweek here and a turn around there and look out baby it’s a whole new show.

Off course

Talk about hi-jack yourself in Nashville. Today I ventured off on the 15 bus service which conveniently leaves from a stop not 3 minutes from my room. With all good intentions, I was heading to Music Row the one that houses the recording studios, the songwriters and all the business side of the music scene. I was aware of a shoe store that was near by and detoured on foot in search of a pair of sandals.

The magic of studio B

Today I took a sixty minute guided tour of the historical Studio B. Built in 1957 by Dan Maddox, under the instruction of Mr Chet Atkins, at a cost of $37,515 it was to become the origin of at least 1.000 number 1 or top ten hits recorded in that particular era. Amazing, so simple by today’s standards but the birthplace of what is known as The Nashville Sound. A sound that saved Country Music as Rock and Roll and Pop Music hit the scene.

The journey

Depart Monday 27th arrive Monday 27th, how surreal. Everything is on the opposite side of the world including me, it’s quite unbelievable.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Music bloggers


Calling all MUSIC BLOGGERS, it doesn’t even have to be country but MUSIC PLEASE.
We have all been so busy at the Australian Institute of Country Music that finding time to blog has been difficult.  With this years Muster having been and gone there should be a little more time to focus on maintaining this blog.
If you have never been to the Gympie Music Muster do yourself a favour and plan a trip to it.  Each year it just gets bigger and more exciting.
The AICM helps out in the Maton Talent Search venue and it was a very busy few days for the wonderful volunteers from our community.  In fact without volunteers there would be a lot of work not getting done at the Muster.  Congratulations to all the organisations and their helpers for a job very well done.  A great job done by all and proof that many hands make light work.  Thank you to all and sundry for the assistance that was given under the banner of the Australian Institute of Country Music, look forward to doing it all again next year.

What Didn’t I Do? Why Didn’t I Get Placed?

A question often asked by students and parents of students who have competed in competitions but have not gained a place.
It is not a question of what didn’t the student do but what did they do!
  1. Did they remember all their lyric?
  2. Did they play their chosen instrument to the very best of their ability?
  3. Did they connect with the audience through lyric and melody?
  4. Did they make an effort to dress for the performance?
  5. Did they have fun?

Excitement and Vision

What is life without vision?  Not much!  What is life without excitement?  Boring!!  The same applies to our shows. The same applies to audience reaction.   We are the ones, as performers, that have to be excited, we have to have the vision of making it special, an extension and delivery of who we are.  It is up to us!!!  Rely on yourself and be yourself.  If music is in your DNA it is not a hard task.
In the beginning of our careers we look for assistance to create our shows, we look for support to develop the who we are and the what our shows will be.  What happens if we are not excited about the big picture of what we do? The whole thing, the big picture,  will become stagnant, like a river in drought, going nowhere. Our excitement and vision are the biggest feeders of our development.  The ability to dream is a powerful resource and the best part of dreaming is that it is FREE!

Bad habits

How easy it is to go through life not assessing the little things about ourselves that are habitual. We support and advertise the good and ignore and grow the bad. Ignorance is bliss isn’t it! Of course not all the little habits we have within ourselves are bad but we find it extremely hard to accept someone bringing the bad ones to our attention. Being of human nature we are often offended. We shut down, taking the attitude of “what does she know anyway”.

Silence is golden

We live in a world of white noise, always something filling our airwaves to distract us from the soul inside.  What can we find in silence?   Growth, personal growth.
Silence creates a personal space, a personal space to communicate with ourselves.  A place where we can deal with the who we are, a place where we can redirect our path and manage our future steps, a place where we can privately analyse the me.  A place that delivers satisfaction through truth, an honest retreat, a personal haven.

Singer


Everyone has talents of some description.  Some are never applied, some are never developed and in unfortunate situations some are never even discovered.  It’s the special something in everyone of us.  Art, sport, cooking, dressmaking, music, we all have a niche, all different and it is up to us to find it and apply it.  Chase, Embrace, Enhance and Develop it is your responsibility to yourself.
As a performer there is a requirement:   talent:  something that can be  developed. 

Little things that make me australian

I constantly keep reminding myself to be who I am in performance.  Sometimes it’s hard because by human nature we strive to be something more.  I advise,  not teach the students I deal with.  I highlight small windows of knowledge that I hope they will adjust and implement to their particular style as they develop. Outstanding entertainers develop themselves with the “who they are”.
I work with Artists in the making.  Australian Artists in the making.

Just let it happen

One of the biggest restrictions to our movement when performing is the fear of how we look, I know I’ve said it before and I know, heaps of times.  Remember music is repetition!
As a performer adapting movement and implementing it on stage is the next step after you get the hang of delivering the song as the story.  Adapting and implementing the dynamics.
Working with a young student just the other day I began to jump around.  The script and the melody of the song she was singing directed me to do it.  To me it was an uncrontolable urge, to her it seemed silly, at first.

Choices

I spend Thursday of each week at the AICM with a bunch of senior students from various high schools in our town, Certificate 3 in music has been their choice of music education in their final years of school.  When I leave the building I wonder sometimes why particular students have made that choice.  Will they get to an older age and regret that they didn’t approach this class with dedication and zest utilizing it as part of the foundation in their future?

Aura and Energy

We sometimes meet artists who exude an amazing aura. They have something special, an unexplainable vibe that makes us feel comfortable around them, they make us feel good, they give us a buzz. If you are a passionate performer it is likely you have a personality that has a distinctive aura. The YOU factor. Audiences want to have access to the you in you. Throughout our development as artists we learn to give that part of us to them.

How do i find my comfort zone

. Be Yourself, be confident in yourself and what you do, select a repitiore’ that is you and your style, relax and focus on the job at hand. The How is in the practice and establishing muscle memories and habits. Put together a selection of songs that effect you personally. Compile the playlist. A couple of slow songs to begin with and increase the moods of the melodies as the playlist progresses. Find a private place and put the music on. In your room, out in the paddock anywhere you will feel comfortable. Starting with something slow and soothing, release the part of you that is connected to that particular melody.

Always be prepared

I don’t know if we ever completely lose the jitters before performing but I do know if we are prepared it is a darn site less nerve racking.
Music is repetition.  Learning the instrument, learning the lyric, putting it all together, pulling it apart, refining it all then combining the packages to make one complete product of each song in our repetiore”.
The more sure we are of what we are doing the less we have to think. The less we have to think the less we have to panic.  We have no time on stage to think about what the next chord or lyric is, we have to focus on our audience and create the connection with them.  It’s for them we are there, leave the ME in the wings or the carpark.

Practice, Rehearse, Perform, three stages of preparation.
Be who you are not what you or someone else thinks you should be or would like to be.
Always arrive prepared!!  You then have the opportunity to enjoy yourself because that is what it’s all about when it comes down to the bottom line.  Having fun and sharing the moments!!

Do i look goofy?

Oh my lord, are they looking at me? Oh my lord they are!!
Of course they are, you are a performer an entertainer, that’s what they are meant to do, they are the audience and you have chosen to be an entertainer.
With the love of our music we need to find freedom.  Freedom that allows us to physically show our audience what a particular song does for us as performers.  This is, at times, very difficult because of the inner fear factor.  The little voice that tells us that we look stupid or we are not this or not that

How do you know who i am

What are you most passionate about? Is it country, pop, is it heavy metal or maybe it’s poetry or rock etc. etc. There are so many styles and so many art forms but there is only one that fits us like a glove. The meant to be! We get a warm fuzziness inside when we are performing our chosen style whether it be delivering a song, poem, speech or even dance, the glow from that passion can create connections with people in an audience. Your performance can be special. It’s the you that makes it special!

How do i prepare

If  the Head Chef at the best Restaurant in a big city wandered in a couple of hours before dinner service and scratched his head wandering what the heck he should put on the menu for the night do you think there would be happy diners at the end of the evening.  No!!, if that were the case it would be a shocking night for staff and diners because there was no forethought, no plan and no preparation.  As a performer, without preparation, the results would be the same. There would be no connections, no special moments and people leaving the venue wandering who you were. Not very memorable.