Performance training
Posted Sun, 03/07/2010 - 03:59 by krister
Hi Aki,
how do you practice performance?
The few times I've been on the bandstand, I can't hardly remember
anything of what I had in mind to play even if I played it hundreds
of times before.
/Krister
Comments
Performance training
Hi Krister,
I can share some tips based on how I prepared for my first few performances.
First, I would recommend that you practice your songs at home with the intent to perform. If you're leading the band, stand before a mirror and run through the band signals you plan to give them (start, breaks, ending etc) until you feel confident. Also think through a few fail-case scenarios; what happens if you intended the band to come in on the IV but they start at the head of the form? What if they miss the ending on the tune?
As for the material itself, practice makes perfect is all I can say. :) Sounds cliched, but the more comfortable you are with a song, the better it will come off on stage. The same goes with singing and lyrics. I usually pick tunes that I have listened to many, many times before instead of going on stage with relatively new songs that I crammed into my head.
Finally, remember that the audience is out there just to have a good time and not there with a score sheet, counting your mistakes. :) Relax, take a deep breath and try to enjoy the on-stage experience!
Hope this helps.
- Aki
Performance training
What really helped me was playing in front of people. I don't mean on stage but at home make your wife or ?? sit down and play for them. At work play for your co-workers. Basically everywhere you go, play in front of people. It is nerve racking at first but eventually you will be able to concentrate on your music instead of worrying about others. Now I am the band leader and people think that it is just natural for me but it just is not so. It took a lot of work and embarrassment.
Thanks for the
Thanks for the advise
/Krister