TinaLou Sings!

Oct 10, 2012

 Great “LIVE” Performances

Performing live can be the most thrilling part of being an artist. I can’t think of a better pinnacle experience than knowing you are connecting with your audience while sharing the best of yourself. However, if you’re not prepared mentally before you sing or play a note, a live performance can turn into a nightmare. Feeling unprepared and letting your anxieties overwhelm you can lead to disaster.

Today on the show we played some live performances by some artists that really know how to bring the magic when they have our attention. I’ve been performing my entire life and no matter how many times I take the stage I am always learning more nuances of what it takes to deliver a great performance.

Here are some of my suggestions for a great live performance.

• Practice

Yeah you know it. When you are performing the last thing you want to be doing is THINKING. It’s really hard to not think and put all of yourself into your performance if you’re still learning a song. If at all possible memorize your material so you don’t have to be reading music or lyrics on stage.

•  Prepare yourself mentally

This is so important especially if you have a tendency to get nervous. Set yourself up for success by deciding ahead of time that you are really going to bring it. Tell yourself you are about to do a great job and better yet – see and FEEL yourself doing a great job. Take a few moments to visualize yourself in front of your audience delivering every note perfectly and above all – see and feel yourself having a great time!

• Use nervous energy in a positive way

If I am feeling nervous I tell myself that butterflies are not nerves – just disguised enthusiasm! Reinterpret those nerves for your excitement to share what you’ve got!

• Get connected to your body

Get warmed up first and do whatever helps you put your attention and focus into your physical body. The more you are feeling your body express the emotional truth of your song the less you will be thinking about what you are doing!

• Connect with your audience

Make eye contact to connect, but most of all feel your audience. Remember they can’t wait to see you do a great job and they are rooting for you. So appreciate the unique perspective they have of experiencing YOU.

• Remember to ENJOY yourself

Having the courage to get up and do your thing for an audience is something to be proud of. And if you’re like me you do it because you love it. So don’t get too caught up in trying to impress anyone but yourself. You know at the end of the day if you gave everything you could. Striving for perfection is admirable but having a great time and delivering an emotionally truthful performance is MEMORABLE.

Artist Spotlight

Today we featured two live performances by Brandi Carlile.  First was her cover of “Hallelujahs” performed live at KCRW.com Radio. Then we heard an emotionally powerful rendition of her song “The Story” performed live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony.

Today’s Inspiration

“Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.” – Frank Zappa

Some of the other live performances played on today’s show included:

• Don’t Make Me Over – Patti Labelle (Manhattan Center in NYC in 2000)
• Unbreakable – Alicia Keys (Brooklyn Academy of Music 2005)
• Bidi Bidi Bom Bom – Selena (The Last Concert – Houston Astrodome 1995)
• Sexual Healing – Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals (Live from Mars)
• Shame on You – Indigo Girls (Cold Beer & Remote Control)
• Smile – Judy Garland (Judy Garland’s Greatest hits Live)
• Somebody to Love – Queen (Rock Montreal Live)
• No Woman No Cry (Live) – Bob Marley

Remember a great performance doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be REAL.

Thanks for listening!

Your MidDay Muse,

TinaLou