Know Your Performance Part II

**NOTE: The following subject will focus on vocalists; however, the same concepts can be applied to any musician.

Part 1 of this article (August 22, 2012) briefly discussed the steps any vocalist should take when studying a piece of music. Identifying the language, researching the composer and studying the rhythm and tempo markings were mentioned. Melody was mentioned last but not covered.

Melody is important because it obviously contains the text (lyrics) you will sing during your performance. This section should be studied with great care. Know your entrances and exits. There is nothing more upsetting and disappointing than to have a beautiful prelude or introduction of a piece played just to have the vocalist ‘screw up,’ for lack of better phrasing, with his or her entrance.

Pay attention to phrases. Without phrasing, your performance will most likely lack luster and interest. Make each phrase different than the last (if the music allows). Purposely prepare each breath (exit and entrance) to support the phrase (more given on this later).

Articulation. You want what you’re saying to be understood (and know the rhythms) and it doesn’t get any simpler than that. The larger the performance space, the more you will have to focus on consonants. This section requires lots of attention so a future article can be devoted just to consonants and also vowels. Articulation can also refer to how the notes are played as well (for instrumentalists).

Be expressive.  Identifying the language and Researching the composer has already taken place so you should have a pretty good idea of what the text means. You cannot share what you know about the piece and translate its meaning to the audience if you are not expressive; this is regardless if you know every detail of how the character(s) feels within the story of the text. If you don’t express that, the audience will not know (and you will not either) that is what you’re singing about.

Thanks for reading,

Bryant Belin