Category: Jam Session
Hi, everyone.
I've got a few questions for the other blind performers out there. I was wondering if any of you have any techniques that you use to improve your performances. How do you keep yourself oriented onstage? How do you know when you're getting close to the edge? Any tips or advice is appreciated. Thanks.
I'm not really sure what you mean by close to the edge, you mean the edge of the stage or the edge of looking like a blindey?
I'm a jazz drummer and dj myself, and really get into the music especially the jazz, just make sure there's a gruve there if that's what you're doing.
Haha! I meant the edge of the stage, but looking like a total blindy works too.
simple really, make sure your in the middle of the stage and don't move about too much lol
sorry man as i know that was not very helpful
Yeah man, once you get on stage , walk back, until you know you're comfortable with where you're at, and you know that you'll be able to interact with the crowd. Always remember, interact with a crowd, talk to the crowd. If you're doing anything such as theater wise, try to have a group of people in front of you during blocking. Try to do blocking of seens and walk to stage left and right, mroe than up and down. That'll confuse you, especially if there's a lot of movement. Hope this helped!
oh and remember when you're performing, you're God to the crowd. Take control of the crowd and grab there attention. Good look with your performances!!
One thing you can do is once you have your gear all setup, have someone walk you around the stage so you can get a feel for it. When I've been on stage, it's either been behind the drum kit, or, playing bass or guitar and singing lead vocals. I didn't move around that much as i needed to stay pretty close to my mic stand and guitar effects processor which was in front of my mic stand. if you're going to move around a lot on stage, you can tape down a thick piece of rope or an unused mic cable for example. that way if you start moving around a lot, hopefully you'll feel it and move back a bit, as opposed to falling off stage ass over tea kettle. I've fallen off stage once and it was not fun. luckily it was only during sound check!
Ass over tea kettle?Lol? I haven't heard that one before ...
well, usually what I do is I try to go as far as I can until I know i'm at the edge, and then sometimes someone is usually there waighting for me at the bottom of the stage. but I have to stay close to my tripple stack a keys and my mick stand as well.
All the suggestions so far have been excelent. Personally, I like to get a feel for the stage before the performance, as well as the venu itself. As far as gear set-up goes, I think power strips are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I usually have my synth, wireless mic, an amp, and maybe other things. I always allow extra time for set-up so I'm not overly stressed when I have to start playing.
Lou
Thanks for all these suggestions. They'll definitely come in useful.
As a musician, I can think of a couple of suggestion (especially if you have equipment set up).
I would normally ask someone sighted to walk me around the entire stage/performing area and tell me things that are relevant. Distance from crowd etc.
If I am using equipment/instruments etc. I will always setup in a particular way. So tha I know where everything is located. If I have others working/assisting I will generally make sure that they know my setup so that I don't end up going over (because someone has moved something).
I use the same technique when busking. So that the location of instruments/ mic stand are always the same.
Hope this helps.
Myotis
The only thing I'll add to this from misspent youthful experience: Know your ... ahem ... limitations ... on *all* counts.
All ye musicians know full well what I'm talkin' about. Else it won't be for lack of sight you'll be fallin' or floatin' or flying off that stage.
Play hard, party after, my advice.
Since I'm behind the drums I really don't have to worry about falling off the stage lol. I do have the same set up everytime I play. When I use a house kit I try and set it up as close to mine as I can when I can't I just spend a few extra minutes geting used to where things are. My brother who is a lead singer has someone walk him around the stage and the venue so he knows the size of the place and how big and where everyone else on stage is.
get into your music. practice that smile and move along to the beat. give it your all.
All of the other posts are a good thing to review, from getting around stage, set up, etc. most important have fun when you perform. it makes all the difference with stage presents.