If I had a quarter for every time I heard that!!
The majority of bands think that unbridled energy equals a great show. What they do not see is the impact on the audience. To take your show to the "next level" you need to understand what is happening to the audience during your show. You need to give them what they want and set them up for the big payoff. We often give them everything we got in the first 3 songs. After the 3rd song, if the audience left, they would have missed nothing!!
It doesn't matter what type of music you play. It doesn't matter the age demographics of your audience. You cannot play every song the same way...they don't sound the same, therefore they should not look the same!! (Tom Jackson)
We need to get creative. We need to think about timing. When do you come forward and give the audience everything you got and put pressure on them? When do you let a song "simmer" and allow the audience to anticipate what is next? When is ok for unbridled energy to rule the stage...and when is standing completely still appropriate???
Tough questions...These questions can be answered better with direction. This will start to take form once you truly have a vision for your show!! You need to get this DVD series from Tom called 7 DEADLY SINS
Purchase this DVD Series and it will change the way you approach the show. You need to catch a vision...understand how to make your show more than crazy energy. Learn to pour your heart and soul into your craft, in a way that communicates to your audience. In a way your audience wants to be communicated to!!
Don't be satisfied with being loud and crazy!!! Take time, invest in your music, and become a band with a purpose and vision!! Your product sales will increase and you will create FANS everywhere you go!!!
Kevin
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Please!! Do not use that 4 letter word!!!
WORK!!!! There I said it! This is worse than a swear word to many artists...now you might think I am overstating it. Not all artists are lazy! I am not saying that artists are lazy at all (Well than Kevin, what are you saying??) Thanks for asking!!
I work with artist's that are signed to a major label, have #1 hits, and are just starting out...and the same issues are there. They often think they are working, but they are focused on what they like...They love to "work" on the music, the chords, the beat, the tempo, the lyrics...the MUSIC...Artist's often think they are working...but when you cut through all the smoke and mirrors you find they are continuing to "work" on what they like...not what they need! The tedious nature of repeating and going over the same thing and making sure the entire band knows their roles, their placements, the arrangement change...this is the WORK!! Once you are happy with your show...once you think you like the live arrangement of the tunes and how it is looking...you now need to play the show in rehearsal...10, 20, 50 times!! This needs to become second nature. This kind of rehearsal is called "muscle memory". When the nerves kick in, and when the monitors go down, when the lights don't work, when you lose focus you need to have your muscle memory. You need to build a show that will play itself! If you know the show cold, when you have a bad day, the show will still work, because your muscle memory will take over! If you have a great show, but dont work it until it becomes second nature...when the nerves kick in you will return to what you always did.
I know this sounds like a blanket statement, and it can also sound a little harsh. I do not mean to be unkind, but I want to shed the myth. The MUSIC is not the only thing...The music needs to be communicated. The best band in the world playing the best music - without focusing on how it is "landing" on the audience will not be heard by the masses. In fact, the only people that get that kind of performance...is other musicians - and we all know that they never buy your music or pay to see you perform!!
Now let me clarify...The music is VERY important, the ability to play is VERY important...BUT the MOST IMPORTANT THING = did the audience get it!!!
So, once you know the music, you have to spend time WORKING on the show!! Rehearsal must take on a new look. Watch the Tom Jackson Videos
You need to take the time to rehearse the show, not just the songs. If you do have great musicianship, and great songs...combined with a GREAT show...this will equal - UNSTOPPABLE!!
Work on your show...Work on your show!!! Create moments and make fans...THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO WORK ON!!
I work with artist's that are signed to a major label, have #1 hits, and are just starting out...and the same issues are there. They often think they are working, but they are focused on what they like...They love to "work" on the music, the chords, the beat, the tempo, the lyrics...the MUSIC...Artist's often think they are working...but when you cut through all the smoke and mirrors you find they are continuing to "work" on what they like...not what they need! The tedious nature of repeating and going over the same thing and making sure the entire band knows their roles, their placements, the arrangement change...this is the WORK!! Once you are happy with your show...once you think you like the live arrangement of the tunes and how it is looking...you now need to play the show in rehearsal...10, 20, 50 times!! This needs to become second nature. This kind of rehearsal is called "muscle memory". When the nerves kick in, and when the monitors go down, when the lights don't work, when you lose focus you need to have your muscle memory. You need to build a show that will play itself! If you know the show cold, when you have a bad day, the show will still work, because your muscle memory will take over! If you have a great show, but dont work it until it becomes second nature...when the nerves kick in you will return to what you always did.
I know this sounds like a blanket statement, and it can also sound a little harsh. I do not mean to be unkind, but I want to shed the myth. The MUSIC is not the only thing...The music needs to be communicated. The best band in the world playing the best music - without focusing on how it is "landing" on the audience will not be heard by the masses. In fact, the only people that get that kind of performance...is other musicians - and we all know that they never buy your music or pay to see you perform!!
Now let me clarify...The music is VERY important, the ability to play is VERY important...BUT the MOST IMPORTANT THING = did the audience get it!!!
So, once you know the music, you have to spend time WORKING on the show!! Rehearsal must take on a new look. Watch the Tom Jackson Videos
You need to take the time to rehearse the show, not just the songs. If you do have great musicianship, and great songs...combined with a GREAT show...this will equal - UNSTOPPABLE!!
Work on your show...Work on your show!!! Create moments and make fans...THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO WORK ON!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The band is a part of the show as well!
The show is not only about the frontman or the person with their name on the bus!! LOL
I often watch shows where the band is really just a backdrop. Often, you could play a well recorded track and most people might not event notice the difference. You should not have a band just to play the music, you have a band to play TO the audience!!
Guitar solo's are much better from the front! The bass player needs to have visual contact with the audience! The horn section needs their moment in the sun! The drummer needs to be creative and find a way to connect the people!
Not every song, not every solo, not every big or slow song needs to look the same, but all of those moments need to happen as a unit! The more we allow the band to be a part of the show, the more the frontman looks good!
When each part of the band plays their specific role, the more the WHOLE BAND wins!! The frontman looks more in control. The frontman (or woman) needs to allow each instrument to enjoy their moment and each musician needs to know how and when to have their moment.
Check out and buy BAND DVD from TOM JACKSON!
This video from Tom Jackson talks about the band as a unit and describes the roles and responsibility of each member. You want your show to connect and generate fans? Make sure your entire band is a part of that! You cannot do it on your own...you need the band and the band needs you!
Kevin
I often watch shows where the band is really just a backdrop. Often, you could play a well recorded track and most people might not event notice the difference. You should not have a band just to play the music, you have a band to play TO the audience!!
Guitar solo's are much better from the front! The bass player needs to have visual contact with the audience! The horn section needs their moment in the sun! The drummer needs to be creative and find a way to connect the people!
Not every song, not every solo, not every big or slow song needs to look the same, but all of those moments need to happen as a unit! The more we allow the band to be a part of the show, the more the frontman looks good!
When each part of the band plays their specific role, the more the WHOLE BAND wins!! The frontman looks more in control. The frontman (or woman) needs to allow each instrument to enjoy their moment and each musician needs to know how and when to have their moment.
Check out and buy BAND DVD from TOM JACKSON!
This video from Tom Jackson talks about the band as a unit and describes the roles and responsibility of each member. You want your show to connect and generate fans? Make sure your entire band is a part of that! You cannot do it on your own...you need the band and the band needs you!
Kevin
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