Songwriting Guides
Performing
Becoming a performer
Performing your music in a professional way can be one of the most rewarding parts of being a songwriter. Audiences (and the music industry) are always impressed by performers who can handle the stage and the studio, and who get on with the job in a professional way. By professional we mean being prepared for a performance, and not being phased by sudden changes - the PA breaks down, a broken string or one of the musicians has got lost on the ring road (believe us, it happens!)
Being prepared is crucial - this means everything is prepared - the songs, the instruments, the set, the line-up, even the banter.
Some performing dos and dont's:
Go on when they say you are going on
The MC announces the next act. Then you say "hang on" and disappear to the toilet, or you are rummaging in the back of your guitar case for your lucky pick. No. Be ready to go on and, go on when they say your name.
Tell them who you are
If there is more than one act on the night, not everyone will have come to see you. The noise from the bar may have meant some people missed your name when it was announced. Make sure they know who you are. Tell them at the beginning, and tell them at the end.
If you want to be really cheesy you can have a backdrop, or if you are in a band, writing your name on the bass drum head can help. But just saying your name a lot can do it.
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If you can, get reputable venues
Catherine Bell, Chrysalis Music Ltd
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Don't lose their attention
This is where a certain amount of practice and experience helps. For a performance to really work it should build through the act. It's like a journey and you need to take them from one place to another. Stopping and starting to tune up, reading the lyrics off a piece of paper or constantly having to check the set list is going to lose their attention very quickly. Then you have to start work all over again at getting it back.
If you need to change instruments or guitar FX and keyboard patches, then order the set so that these changes are quick and easy. Make sure everything that can be is pre-set and at the right levels. Learn your set. If you keep forgetting stuff then you probably haven't rehearsed enough. Avoid noodling between tunes, it looks sad and gets on everyone's nerves.
If Things Go Wrong:
- There isn't anyone on the circuit who hasn't had some piece of equipment blow up or break on them. Have a plan to cope with emergencies like that.
- Take spares of as much as you can carry (and don't forget to tune any spare instruments before you go on).
- Have something up your sleeve. A drum solo, some kind of tune you can jam on with a reduced line-up or something for the singer to recite. Anything will do - just don't stand around on the stage looking embarrassed.
- Don't be afraid to stop and start again. Even the most experienced and famous performers have done this. If you start in the wrong key, for instance, it may be impossible to sing the song. Stop, take a deep breath let the audience know you're going to start again and then go for it as if it hadn't happened. It's easy to get hung up on a mistake and then ruin the rest of the performance. Forget it and move on.
Stage Banter
This is a surprisingly tricky thing to get right. Some people develop a kind of alter ego for a stage act, but it's generally best to rely on being yourself. Try and go a little beyond just saying the title of the next song. Most importantly, whatever you say, say it clearly and into the microphone. Remember to plug anything you have to sell (CDs or your next gig), and don't let them forget who you are.
It's a lot harder than it looks to come across well in front of a huge crowd of people but it will be expected of you, especially as a singer. The silver lining is that it does get easier with practice!
Be Nice To People
Often, at circuit venues, the actual promoter won't attend the gig. They'll rely on feedback from the engineer and door staff. If you want a good report-back, make sure they like you.
The other important people to get to know are the bar staff. They're there every night and people often end up chatting to them. This means they can be putting around some good word of mouth long after you've left the venue.
More importantly, if an A & R scout comes to see someone who turns out to be rubbish, they'll end up sitting in the bar and finishing their pint before they leave. Often they'll ask the bar staff who's been in lately and whether they were good.
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 Songwriting Guides
Writing a Song
Performing
Why Perform your Own Songs?
Becoming a Performer
Vocal Training
Gigs
Getting Paid for a Gig
Working with Other Writers
In the Studio
Publishers
Record Companies
Management
Staying on Track
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