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Sunday Edition


31
Aug
2003
Vocal Coach - Sept 2003


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We want to talk about stage presence again this month and we want to start with things not to do on stage. The first thing we want to bring to your attention is drinking while on stage. If you must drink something it should be water at room temperature and in a bottle with a cap so that it will not spill. Drink sparingly. It can be very distracting to your performance if you’re drinking between each song. There are times when an auditorium can be very warm and you have to drink something to keep from being dehydrated. But if you can wait until the concert is over to drink it is best. And never drink a soft drink while on stage. Not only does it leave a bad image in the minds of the audience but it is also bad for your voice. The sugar leaves you breathless and the caffeine dehydrates you and makes you want more liquid. The only choice for singers is water and it should be drunk during the day before the concert to prepare your body for the work ahead.

Next, we want to try to avoid turning our backs on the audience. Place your equipment so that you do not have to turn your back to adjust it. When you turn your back to your audience it makes them feel cut off. Always try to keep yourself facing forward as mush as possible during the concert. Talking to other group members while someone else is speaking or doing a solo part is never a good thing. Having a conversation with other group members distracts your audience’s attention away from the main speaker. Our purpose is to let the attention be placed on the person doing the ministering at that moment. Turn and look at the speaker or singer to help pull the attention in their direction. If you must say something to another member to instruct them for the next song do it quickly and then get back to the focal point as quickly as possible.

Eye contact with your audience is extremely important. Try to avoid closing your eyes while you sing. I have seen many singers sing a complete song with their eyes closed. It made me feel closed off from the singer and the message. If it is a very moving song and you close your eyes let it be for a few seconds and then get back to your audience. The song is for them and when you shut them out it can’t reach their hearts. Don’t look at the back wall, or down at the floor. And avoid looking at your mic, you will appear cross-eyed. And that’s not very pretty! Remember to look at the eyes of your audience and reach out to them in love. They will get the message and always remember the eyes have it!

Next month we will talk about nervous habits and handling bad situations.

I hope I will get to see you at National Quartet Convention in a couple of weeks. When you see me stop and say hello, I would love to meet you face to face and talk to you. You can email me at if you are interested in private vocal training or Entertainer’s Secret Throat Spray. Also let me know if you would be interested in attending a vocal seminar here in the Nashville area. This would help me greatly. Until next month, keep singing his praises!

Reader Comments

That's the wonderfu thing about disagreeing with another Christian, we can do it and still love one another! You may very well be right, but I think it'll always be a personal choice as to what we should or should not wear in any given situation. God bless!


Commented by On 09/29/2003
Our quartet embraced this policy: if it's a Sunday morning, suit and tie. Sunday PM, jacket no tie. Outdoor--nice casual in summer. To me, it looks very weird to see a group on stage at an outdoor summer event wearing suits. Artists must connect with their audience, appearance-wise as well. We have to be sensitive to our venue and church, but at the same time exercise good common sense.


Commented by On 09/29/2003
Can someone please explain who draws up the guidelines of this "in the world but not of the world" mentality of dress? I realize I'm rather open-minded compared to some on this board, but it seems that if we were really wanting to look like Jesus and represent his culture and teachings to the full degree we'd all don robes and headdresses like that of our middle eastern friends. Who creates the modern-day standards for what Christians wear? I'm not trying to be mean or spiteful--seriously--I'm just trying to figure this out! Please help! Thanks! :D


Commented by On 09/29/2003
To everyone, I didn't mean to get everyone upset. You can wear what ever you feel comfortable in and always follow your heart about your look. I was just letting you know how the industry looks at these things. You pray about your dress code and go with what God says about it in your heart. Yes, our industry can be closed minded about somethings but if you want to get to the top these things do matter to them. It shouldn't but it does. God bless each of you for your in put. I love you all and am always learning from you. Marti


Commented by On 09/29/2003
Marti, I truly appreciate your point of view about expectations of this industry. That doesn't mean we can't CHANGE their thinking gradually (we know it won't happen overnight). You are exactly right -- we should pray about our dress code and act upon how God is leading. Love ya, Marti!
Andy


Commented by On 09/30/2003
Hi! Im 14, and i LOVE to sing, im not good enough to sing pro, with my voice just now changing and everything, but I couldnt IMAGINE wearing a suit and tie for EVERY concert, i dont even wear that to church! But I like to wear nice dressy shirts, maybe with a little pattern. I like winter time because my best clothes are winter clothes. But I also feel how you look says a lot about you.(was that sentence grammatically correct?)

I just thought i'd voice my opinion. And i hope i can sing well when my voice fully changes

~Cole


Commented by On 10/04/2003
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