Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
i just sing wtih tracks...
Until recently i had been strictly a track performer...UGH!! I traveled for over 20 years and performed over 95% of my concerts with tracks. Trying to capture and engage an audience when you are the only thing to look at is not easy! I started to bore myself!!
You have to get very creative. Within the Christian Music scene there is a lot more artist's that travel with tracks. There are a few obstacles to playing with tracks...tracks can be so boring, you are limited to the same arrangement everynight, you are limited to the same dynamics etc...EVERYTHING IS THE SAME!! The other concern is this - YOU have to do everything...You can't rely on a guitar solo to divert attention, you don't have backup singers to do something on their own - if YOU don't do it, it doesn't happen!
So with that in mind i want to share some things you can do while using tracks to enhance your show!
1. Song selection
- this is huge. You really need to study Tom Jackson video that teaches on the flow of a show! There is a method to this. You need to know the rules...and you need to understand why they exist!
2. Transitions (speaking)
- Take all the speaking out of your show...Then, very carefully put it back in, where it is needed and LEARN it, STUDY it!! Insert speaking that makes sense. Do not feel the need to insert talking between every song. Less is more...stop winging it. Also, get vulnerable...tell a story that lets people into your world!
3. Learn to emote!
- tracks can for the most part be emotionless. Often the sound in most churches is too low and the audience can't feel the track so the feeling is left to you. Emote with your eyes! Emote with your body language...physically represent the song! Emote with your voice. Don't give us everything on every verse of every song! Take your time, hold back, sing straight, sing soft with breath...than belt it! We often do all we can all the time and it loses its effect!
Get a band! If you can possibly add musicians to your show...DO IT! BUT - if you need to be a track artist, learn your craft, plan the show and be the professional by communicating with your body, your eyes and your voice!
Kevin
You have to get very creative. Within the Christian Music scene there is a lot more artist's that travel with tracks. There are a few obstacles to playing with tracks...tracks can be so boring, you are limited to the same arrangement everynight, you are limited to the same dynamics etc...EVERYTHING IS THE SAME!! The other concern is this - YOU have to do everything...You can't rely on a guitar solo to divert attention, you don't have backup singers to do something on their own - if YOU don't do it, it doesn't happen!
So with that in mind i want to share some things you can do while using tracks to enhance your show!
1. Song selection
- this is huge. You really need to study Tom Jackson video that teaches on the flow of a show! There is a method to this. You need to know the rules...and you need to understand why they exist!
2. Transitions (speaking)
- Take all the speaking out of your show...Then, very carefully put it back in, where it is needed and LEARN it, STUDY it!! Insert speaking that makes sense. Do not feel the need to insert talking between every song. Less is more...stop winging it. Also, get vulnerable...tell a story that lets people into your world!
3. Learn to emote!
- tracks can for the most part be emotionless. Often the sound in most churches is too low and the audience can't feel the track so the feeling is left to you. Emote with your eyes! Emote with your body language...physically represent the song! Emote with your voice. Don't give us everything on every verse of every song! Take your time, hold back, sing straight, sing soft with breath...than belt it! We often do all we can all the time and it loses its effect!
Get a band! If you can possibly add musicians to your show...DO IT! BUT - if you need to be a track artist, learn your craft, plan the show and be the professional by communicating with your body, your eyes and your voice!
Kevin
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Take this stand...
I wrote a blog a week or so ago talking about a band performing behind a wall of monitors and music stands...I mentioned how this seems to build walls between the band and the audience...
In worship leading we want to tear down walls! Know our congregation and lead the community of faith into the presence of the Holy of Holy's!! Now your response is...so you do this by taking away a stand?? YES!!
Have you ever read a story, while your head is buried in the pages only to look up and find that the very person you are reading the story for has fallen asleep?? It is this concept that leads me to discuss the STAND!!
If we have our attention focused on the music and the chord charts, how can we lead. You see the leading is not simply done by the one with the vocals. The congregation sees everyone...The guitar guy, the bass player, the keys...etc...You are all part of the leading team! Everyone must look engaged...Everyone must care that they are connecting with the audience...Everyone must engage the audience...Everyone must look like they are interested!!!!
If you can step away from the stand, and the chord chart, you can turn your attention to the congregation...you can LOVE THE CONGREGATION and therefore you can LEAD them!!
This takes extra work. This takes preparation time! This takes a lot of extra energy!! IF you are asked to lead a community of faith, into the arena of musical worship...Take the time to do it right. This is a huge responsibility. Learn the music and step out from behind the wall and engage people...LOVE THE CONGREGATION!!!
In worship leading we want to tear down walls! Know our congregation and lead the community of faith into the presence of the Holy of Holy's!! Now your response is...so you do this by taking away a stand?? YES!!
Have you ever read a story, while your head is buried in the pages only to look up and find that the very person you are reading the story for has fallen asleep?? It is this concept that leads me to discuss the STAND!!
If we have our attention focused on the music and the chord charts, how can we lead. You see the leading is not simply done by the one with the vocals. The congregation sees everyone...The guitar guy, the bass player, the keys...etc...You are all part of the leading team! Everyone must look engaged...Everyone must care that they are connecting with the audience...Everyone must engage the audience...Everyone must look like they are interested!!!!
If you can step away from the stand, and the chord chart, you can turn your attention to the congregation...you can LOVE THE CONGREGATION and therefore you can LEAD them!!
This takes extra work. This takes preparation time! This takes a lot of extra energy!! IF you are asked to lead a community of faith, into the arena of musical worship...Take the time to do it right. This is a huge responsibility. Learn the music and step out from behind the wall and engage people...LOVE THE CONGREGATION!!!
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