Articles discussing Performance approaches
Remember those golden moments on Sesame Street, where the two parts of a word would squeeze together and teach us how to say something new? Let's see if we can make that magic happen again... Let’s assume that you’re a performing songwriter (if not, you’re still welcome to read along – grab a coffee and… Continue reading A Big Moment For The Audience
Ah, I love an open mic night. The chance to hear new songs that I didn’t write, in an intimate setting, and to meet the songwriters. Do you attend open mic nights? Do you perform your songs there? Do you listen while other songwriters are performing? Oh, Behave! A lot can be (and has been)… Continue reading Work That Open Mic!
I love my clients. I can't offer a "friends and family" discount on what I do, because all of my clients become my friends and family. So when one of my clients fails, I feel it. I truly want the biggest success for all of my clients. Let's all save ourselves some pain, with one… Continue reading Unprepared and Unremarkable Look the Same
On stage and in the studio, everybody has a job to do, and you can be your best when you consider how your part supports the bigger picture. In musical arrangement, the contribution of each performer will satisfy one or more of the following: establishing or supporting the groove/rhythm establishing or supporting a counter-rhythm establishing… Continue reading Calling All Harmony Singers
Tom Jackson (onstagesuccess.com) has developed a career as a Live Music Producer. What does that mean? It means that his interest is in helping performers produce a remarkable live show. If you get a chance to see Tom speak, or to check out some of his video, don't pass on the opportunity. He has a host… Continue reading Control the Focus
Time for a little venting. Even if you're Canadian, don't ever say "sorry" to your audience. Don't qualify your performance by explaining that your song is too new for a great performance, or that you haven't had time to learn your friend's favourite song properly. If you're going to step up on stage and perform,… Continue reading No Apologies
Every time we step on the stage to perform, or go “live” on social media with a performance or some other type of appearance, it’s incredibly similar to a job interview. Think about it. The job interview is designed not merely to share information about your education and your experience, but really to give the… Continue reading Next…
Whether or not you play cards, perhaps the best advice you can hear as an artist is “play to your strong suit”. For some artists, their strength is their musical ability, not their songwriting. For others, it will be the opposite – some artists have greatly developed their songwriting voice, and/or their singing voice, but… Continue reading Should I hire a musician to play my instrument?
You have spent a lot of time crafting your songs, and hopefully considerable time deciding on the songs that will make up your live show, and the order in which you will perform them. Performing compelling songs, in the right order, will help you deliver a fantastic live music experience that will move your audience… Continue reading What Should I Say Between Songs?
