So You Want to Perform?

OverviewOverview What is music performance Preparation for a performance The Dos and Don’ts of performing Learning from the elders Some examples (Brief) What is music performance Preparation for a performance The Dos and Don’ts of performing Learning from the elders Some examples (Brief)

WHAT IS MUSIC PERFORMANCE Music recreation The sonic expression of music piece through instrument, singing, conducting etc. A medium between music creation & appreciation, indispensible part of musical activities Musicians will have their own interpretation of music pieces based on their experiences Music recreation The sonic expression of music piece through instrument, singing, conducting etc. A medium between music creation & appreciation, indispensible part of musical activities Musicians will have their own interpretation of music pieces based on their experiences

WHAT IS MUSIC PERFORMANCE A creative art activity Music usually is passed down in forms of scores, but there is no perfect notation nor transcription, thus performances may differ each time Musicians interpret & perform music subjectively, resulting the recreation of music pieces Technological development makes good recording of musical performance possible, poses challenge to musician to improvise and recreate A creative art activity Music usually is passed down in forms of scores, but there is no perfect notation nor transcription, thus performances may differ each time Musicians interpret & perform music subjectively, resulting the recreation of music pieces Technological development makes good recording of musical performance possible, poses challenge to musician to improvise and recreate

PREPARATION FOR A PERFORMANCE Nothing more annoying to see people making up the show as they go along, improvisation does not mean unprepared Practice, practice, practice - perfectionist attitude is what differentiate an A-team from a B-team Practice what you want to say as well (mirror is a good friend) Talk about the music you are doing for the performance Nothing more annoying to see people making up the show as they go along, improvisation does not mean unprepared Practice, practice, practice - perfectionist attitude is what differentiate an A-team from a B-team Practice what you want to say as well (mirror is a good friend) Talk about the music you are doing for the performance

PREPARATION FOR A PERFORMANCE Rest and take care of your instrument, limit hanging out Rehearse but not overdoing it (especially if the materials are not new to you) Keep emotions in check, try not to drag in negative feelings derived from other things into dealings with audiences & performances Rest and take care of your instrument, limit hanging out Rehearse but not overdoing it (especially if the materials are not new to you) Keep emotions in check, try not to drag in negative feelings derived from other things into dealings with audiences & performances

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF PERFORMING Don’t be drunk or high Be sensitive; get to know your audience. Feel their energy, be in sync with them Be prepared; know the songs Regarding demeanor, look like you want to be onstage. Stand up straight Don’t be drunk or high Be sensitive; get to know your audience. Feel their energy, be in sync with them Be prepared; know the songs Regarding demeanor, look like you want to be onstage. Stand up straight

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF PERFORMING Respect your fellow musicians. Encourage them during their solos Cultivate an image; dress appropriately Don’t bore the audience with long or meaningless solos or passages, have variations Don’t talk down to the audience Respect your fellow musicians. Encourage them during their solos Cultivate an image; dress appropriately Don’t bore the audience with long or meaningless solos or passages, have variations Don’t talk down to the audience

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF PERFORMING Don’t do anything you are not comfortable with, the audience will know Make sure the band is on the same page as you, be in sync Be physical, smile Be grateful and play as hard for five people as you would for thousands Be on time Don’t do anything you are not comfortable with, the audience will know Make sure the band is on the same page as you, be in sync Be physical, smile Be grateful and play as hard for five people as you would for thousands Be on time

LEARNING FROM THE ELDERS Guidance may not always come directly from people Read an autobiography, listen to a record, watch a performer Learn from the successes & failures, musical & commercial tips Guidance may not always come directly from people Read an autobiography, listen to a record, watch a performer Learn from the successes & failures, musical & commercial tips

SOME EXAMPLES (BRIEF) Will be presenting in class

LAST WORDS Follow your heart Believe what you are doing Be brave Have fun Follow your heart Believe what you are doing Be brave Have fun