Showing posts with label Live Performance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Live Performance. Show all posts

Top 10 Things Never to Wear On Stage

In an industry where getting and staying noticed are necessities, subtle dress is seldom the rule. Flamboyant threads are part and parcel of the whole rock star gig. Yet even in the midst of costumed excess there are certain things which must never be worn.

The following are the ten worst offenders.

Performing Music Outdoors

Ah, summer time; the season of the great outdoors. Outdoor parties and festivals of all kinds are in full swing, giving musicians the chance to play in the fresh air. Performing outside can be a blast, but there are a few new variables in play any time you are musically communing with nature.

Here is how to successfully manage most of them.

A Step by Step Guide to Performing the Rock & Roll Pyramid

In all the world of music there may be nothing as spectacularly breathtaking as the rock & roll pyramid. It is equal parts musicianship, athleticism, and fearlessness. It represents everything good and right about rock & roll, and your band should start doing it. Now.

Why, you ask? Because it looks super bad-ass. That's why.

Now that I've convinced you, here is my 10-step guide to nailing this difficult stunt without breaking your neck.

Top 10 Ways to Engage Your Audience

Performing is more than simply having band practice in front of people. Just like mastering your instrument, the skills required to become an engaging performer must be practiced and perfected over time. Here are my ten simple rules to get you started.


Song Switch Engage

I just auditioned for and got a spot in an awesome cover band. I'm totally psyched to be a part of this band, but I now have to learn about 40 songs in a month. I'm feeling a little bit of pressure, my personal songwriting time has vaporized, and I can't stop thinking like a songwriter. I'm a little stressed.


I wish there was some kind of musical switch that I could engage: Writing UP, Performing DOWN.


Thoughts on Bass Lines

One of my students recently asked me how to write a great bass line. I told him there was no easy answer. The truth is, a good bass line is a moving target, totally dependent on context and intent. The way bass lines are crafted is what really sets the bass apart from other instruments and defines its role in a band. It's what separates a good bass player from a "guitarist playing bass".

And no one wants to be one of those.

Contrast: The Power of Shock and Awe

Which do you think doctors and nurses find more interesting: a heart monitor with a steady rhythmic pulse, or one that suddenly careens from 140 bpm to a flat line? I can guarantee it’s the latter. I mean, just look at how excited they get when that happens.

You see, steady and stable is boring, but contrast…..now that’s interesting.


Bohemian Rhapsody on Ukulele

Fact: One sign of a great song is that it can be interpreted in many different genres, and on many different instruments.
Fact: The ukulele is experiencing a huge resurgence right now, thanks in part to artists like Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole and Jason Mraz.
Fact: Jack Shimabukro has complete master over his chosen instrument.


With all that in mind, I present to you: Bohemian Rhapsody on the ukulele.

*photo by uketeecee

Crow's Feet - Rediscovering Your Old Songs

Last week Paul McCartney was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. At a press conference prior to the ceremony he was quoted as not being able to recall how to play many of his own songs. “There’s just a few that I’d do if I’m at a party,” he said. “There are certain ones that I can conjure up but really, the truth is people say, ‘Go on, do that one!’ and I say, ‘Sorry, I have no idea how it goes.’”


Rejoice with me, fellow songwriters – our secret shame is no more.

The Two T's

Think about the last time you rode in the passenger seat of a car. You may remember the destination, but what do you remember about the drive? If it was like most rides, you probably don't remember much. That's because nothing distracting happened. Every driver you encountered that day was at least following the two most basic rules of driving: stay on the right hand side of the road (or the left, depending on where you live) and stop at all the stop signs. Get these right, and your drive will usually go smoothly. Get them wrong and everyone notices - and the entire journey may be ruined.

The Bass - Building a Musical Bridge


I recently auditioned for the bass position in a new band. It started off a little rocky, but fortunately ended well, and the whole experienced helped to reinforced some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years about the role of the bass in a rock band.