Be All In

                I've had several reminders this past week of how the atmosphere of a gig can affect our performance.  I was able to witness this in one instance as the performer and at a separate event as an audience member.  Some performers get nervous in front of large groups of people, but even more find it difficult to perform in front of small groups.  I think the main factor in this case is not the size of the audience, but the energy that they produce.  Most performers feed off of the audience's energy causing the performance to soar.  When there is no energy (or even negative energy) produced by the audience, the performance can suffer. 

                This dilemma was even mentioned on America's Got Talent during their judgment week.  Several performers suffered from the absence of a large audience.  The judges mentioned how difficult that type of performance setting is especially on the comedians.  Many acts that were amazing during their first audition fell short during this intimate setting of performing for just the four judges.

                As  performers, we can feel unappreciated and cheated when faced with a lifeless audience.  We have put in countless hours of rehearsal.  We packed and hauled all of our gear to the location.  Now we are sharing our talent with an audience that doesn't see to value what they are being offered.  This causes us to shut down emotionally and not tap into the experience of the performance. 

                However, we have to think about what the same experience may feel like from the audience's perspective.  Those people were not present for our hours of practice.  They did not witness us hauling and setting up the gear.  They came out to hang with their friends, have a good time and be entertained.  They are looking to relax, not work.  If we want them to participate, we need to give them a reason.  We need to pull them into the performance with the energy that we are sharing.  If they perceive a lack of emotion, skill or preparation why bother listening.

                Unfortunately the burden of effort between performer and audience is not equal.  In the justice system an accused individual is innocent until proven guilty.  In entertainment the performer is nominal until proven exceptional.  Each time we perform is another opportunity to prove our worth.  Unfortunately, most of these proof providing performances will be for disinterested crowds as we work our way forward.  Truly successful performers find a way to be all in at every event regardless of the audience, the sound mix or any other circumstances.  This level of professionalism is something I still struggle with, but I am striving to attain it.

Open Mics

                We've all been there before.  You drive for "x" number of miles to pack yourself in a room with 60-200 other musicians.  All of you are there to share your two songs and possibly be discovered.  Unfortunately, none of you are interested in listening to each other's songs, and you make up the whole audience, so usually no one discovers anything.  If it is an open mic at a bar or coffee shop, you are expected to purchase at least $10 worth of food or drinks.  If it is a Christian open mic you are expected to put something in the offering.  Everyone's name is added to a long list and everyone wants to be near the top of the list.  When people are done with their two songs they may stay for another performer or two.  By the end of the night, the last person on the list is singing to him or herself while the host is starting to break down the system.  Is it worth it?

                Not if you are just looking to be discovered.  The truth is that the road to discovery is long and winding and probably doesn't end at an open mic.  Why?  Unfortunately, talent is not the only factor that causes people to be discovered.  That factor that most people are looking for is crowd draw or fan base.  They want proof of success before they invest.  Open mics do not provide that proof since you are not the headline act and the crowd is there to be able to sing, not to hear you. 

                However, there are probably several open mics along the way on that road to discovery.  What do I mean?  My family is planning to drive down to Florida, and we realized that we did not want to try to fit it all in one epic drive.  We booked a stop in Georgia on the way down and Virginia on the way back.  Instead of barreling straight down to our destination (and exhausting ourselves in the process) we are taking our time and enjoying the ride. 

                How can we enjoy the open mic ride as performers.  First of all, we can actually listen to the other performers.  I know a lot of them are bad, but use that as a way to boost your confidence.  Plus, some of them are good enough that you may want to celebrate with them.  You may meet a future band mate, the person who will help lay down a track on your next album or a person you can share gigs with.  One of the main goals of open mics is to meet and connect with other performers.  We can accomplish more together.  Plus, when you show people that you are interested in their performance, they will be more interested in listening to yours. 

                This leads to the next point.  Another major goal of open mics is getting your music heard.  The more people hear your stuff, the greater chance you have of building a fan base.  If you have talent, then there are people out there somewhere who will enjoy your music no matter what style it is.  The problem is that there are so many people out there and getting them to hear your music amongst the sea of other performers is hard.  The more your songs are played (live, radio, internet, wherever) the better your chances are of connecting with your fans.  However, that connection won't happen if people aren't listening.  Even if the other musicians at the open mic aren't your perspective fan, their friends and family may be.  If you make enough of a connection, they may be willing to connect with you on social media (giving you access to their friends) or even tell others about you.   

                Open mics can either be a drag or a lot of fun.  It all depends on your perspective and attitude going in.  We know that they are not the final destination, but they can be a fun pit stop along the way.  Let's make the most of every opportunity and have an open mind at open mics.  

The Value of Music

                A blog title like this could aim to discuss several different topics such as the value of having music in our lives or the value of having music education in schools.  Today, however, I am looking to discuss the actual value of music the way one would discuss the value of currency.  Just as inflation affects currency values over time, the value of music has been affected by changes in technology and culture.  What affect have these changes had?  What are the pros and cons to the new role that music plays in society?

                Probably the single greatest turning point in music history was Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph cylinder in 1877.  This invention made it possible to record sound and play it back.  Until then, music could only be appreciated through live performance.  The continued development of sound recording and sound amplification technology has shaped the role that musical entertainment plays in today's culture.

                In the pre-recording age (only live music) there were basically two types of musical entertainment.  Large entities such as the church or ruling officials could afford to pay professional composers and musical ensembles.  The great composers of the Baroque, Classical and even Romantic eras were commissioned through this method.  The only musical alternative available for common people was folk or minstrel style performances.  Traveling minstrels tended to be solo performers of a lower skill level when compared to commissioned artists.  Folk music was also shared through what we would now call "jam sessions" as family and friends hung out and passed the time.  I guess a third category could be the use of music in the military, although this form of music was not purely for entertainment.  It also provided order, structure and intimidation. 

                The divide between folk and professional music caused a huge polarization of the role of music in historical society.   Most wealthy people did not consider folk music to be "real" music.  True musical concerts were limited occurrences that were looked forward to.  By limited, I do not mean to say that concerts hardly ever took place.  However, imagine a world where it is not possible to turn on an electronic device and listen to recordings of music.  The only time that music could be enjoyed was during public performances.  In addition, the only way to become a musician was to train under another professional musician (which required money and predisposed skill).  Common people were locked out of this side of musical entertainment.  They could only enjoy music by attending church (which also required money at times - corruption in the church) or through the "fiddling around" of untrained performers.

                After the invention of audio recording and other developments in music technology, the appreciation of professional music has been made  available to all.  However, the definition of professional music has changes.  It is no longer exclusive to the style and level that was set in the Classical era.  Popular culture has infused with musical style to create a variety of musical genres.  The study of musical performance and the ability to market music has shifted from an exclusive community to a pool of almost anyone.  This change has turned musical entertainment into an entity with an endless variety of style selections and skill levels.

                In addition, music is now available to listen to everywhere.  As I mentioned earlier, one can just turn on an electronic device and listen to broadcasts or recordings.  Plus, it is now possible to access free recordings of most music on the internet, so people don't even have to pay to own these recordings anymore.  This shift has changed musical entertainment for something that was extremely select to something that is extremely common.  It is even available in settings where people are not intentionally seeking to be musically entertained like elevators, hospitals and shopping malls. 

                Some would argue that this change is good because now everyone can appreciate music.  Others may argue that this change is bad because it has devalued music.  Rare items are always more valuable.  We naturally have less appreciation for things that are readily available.  In addition, we grow tired of things that we have been exposed to too often.  The list of pros and cons is enormous on this topic.  We could discuss skill level and the change in what is now accepted as professional.  We could discuss variety of style and whether or not some styles should even be considered music.  However, those (and other) topics will result in a post that is way too long.  I simply wished to cause us to think about this change and how it has affected music.  The ending to this thought happens  in your mind.  Please share your thoughts in the comments section if you wish to continue the discussion.   

Song Writing Techniques

                There are several technical aspects that go into writing a good song.  Last week we discussed the development and incorporation of the hook which is probably the most important aspect.  Now we will discuss a few more aspects that may help to enhance our songwriting.

Marriage of Music and Lyric

                Words and music both have the ability to convey thoughts, feelings and emotions.  It is important to ensure that the lyrics and music of the songs we are writing are in agreement with what they convey.  On a basic level, this could mean using minor keys and slow tempos for sad songs versus major keys and fast tempos for happy songs. 

                In addition, light fun songs will probably use simple chords (triads) and have a slow harmonic rhythm.  Harmonic rhythm is the rate at which the chords change, so we can have a fast song that is remaining on a G chord for several measures (slow harmonic rhythm).  This usually results in simple and light chord progressions.  The converse would be to have a song with a deep lyric and complex chord progressions.  It may include more seventh chords and progressions that travel outside of the key.

                Word painting is another technique which marries the music to the lyric. For example, a lyric which talks about "going down to somewhere" may be accompanied by a descending bass line.  A lyric which suddenly comes upon the word "stop" may be accompanied by a sudden stop in the music. 

                Rhythm is another musical element that is important to the marriage of music and lyric.  Words contain inherit rhythms when they are spoken or sung.  Matching the symbolic rhythms of the lyrics to the rhythm of the music (melody line or sometimes background parts) can cause an amazing gel of the overall creation.  This causes the music and lyrics to feel as if they were always meant to be combined in this way.

Lyrical Quality

                Lyrical quality is an area that is usually lacking in beginning songwriters and singer/songwriters who are more developed in their musical writing ability when compared to their lyrical writing ability.  It is difficult to convey a message within the confines of a certain rhythmic flow and possibly even a rhyme scheme.  Many rhymes and word patterns have been used so much over the years that they have become cliché and predictable.  Overuse of these lyric phrases can cause a song to sound corny and poorly written.  It is important to spend time digging for the lyrics that perfectly express our thoughts in a way that is new and fresh.  When lyrics feel authentic and original they are much more effective in relating to the audience.

Form

                Understanding the form of the song we are writing is extremely important.  Different sections of a song perform different musical functions.  When these sections are being supported with the proper musical elements they accomplish their function more effectively.

                Most songs are written in a verse - chorus format.  Although this is not the only form to write songs in, for the sake of time we will focus on it in today's discussion.  Within this form, the chorus usually contains the main idea or hook.  The function of the chorus is to convey this hook in a way that is memorable since it is the part of the song that is most repeated and most likely to get stuck in the audience's head.  For this reason, choruses should contain simpler musical patterns and lyrical content (for the most part).  Although there have been some successful songs with complicated choruses, most are easy to remember and sing along with.  They are also usually the high point of the song, so they usually contain the highest pitches of the melody and the loudest parts of the song.  A song that contains high and powerful line in the verse which leads to a lower and softer line in the chorus usually feels like a balloon that is deflating and losing energy.

                The verses are sections of the song that allow us to elaborate on the message we are conveying.  They are usually able to contain more lyrical content and more complex musical patterns.  It is understood that not everyone will remember the words to every verse of the song.  The main focus of the verse is to support the chorus by explaining the main idea and building to the climax in a way that completes the song.  They are usually lower in pitch and volume when compared to the chorus.  Often this also requires less instrumentation in the production of the verse.  This awareness of pitch and volume allows for a proper build to the climax of the song.

                Some songs also contain bridges.  These are sections that help to transition to a new part or higher climax within the song.  They usually occur about 3/4 of the way through the song, after the verses and chorus have been stated and just before the final chorus.  Bridges can be used to lead into a modulation, or just to add interest and emphasis to a final chorus that may otherwise feel overstated.  They are usually brief (about four lines or so) and act almost like mini songs.  In the same way that a verse builds into a chorus, the first line of a bridge should build into the next and the next until it explodes into the final chorus.

                The final section that may occur within the verse-chorus song form is a pre-chorus.  This is a tiny (one or two) line section found between the verse and chorus.  It is used as an aid to lead into the chorus from the verse.  Some verses may lack the melodic build necessary to lead well to the chorus.  In addition, they may need an additional lyrical punch that helps to bring everything together.  A pre-chorus which fills this function can be a great addition to a song.

Conclusion

                Although I haven't covered every technical aspect of song writing in this post, I have tried to discuss several important aspects.  I hope that this will help you in your pursuit of the art of song writing.  Like any skill, the key to increasing our ability is repeated practice.  The more time we spent writing songs, the better we will get.