1. Make It Authentic… …or Don’t Bother
Gary Plaag

2. Rule #1: Do your homework
Rule #2: Learn your music effectively
Rule #3: Apply valid performance “rules”
Rule #4: Always be “present”

3. Our goal: Real living in imaginary circumstances.
Unser Ziel:
Echtes Leben in imaginären Umständen.

4. What kind of song is it?
Ballad, up-tune, swing, parody, comedy, blues, rock and roll, musical theater, etc.
Well-known, unknown, old, new
Thought/conversation, alone/with others
Can you relate to it?

5. What is the basic human experience this song depicts?
What is the song about?
Person, place, thing, event
What is the basic human experience this song depicts?
Love, loss, celebration, reassurance, death, etc.

6. Because of You
All my days were lonely ones, Till you came along. Now my days are happy ones; you filled my life with song.
Because of you there’s a song in my heart. Because of you my romance had its start. Because of you the sun will shine, The moon and stars will say you’re mine forever And never to part.
I only live for your love and your kiss. It’s paradise to be near you like this. Because of you my life is now worthwhile; And I can smile, because of you.

7. What is it about?
Write one sentence of dialogue that sums up the entire song.
“Since you can’t love me like I love you, I will have to say goodbye and move on…but I will remember you forever.”
“I have so much fun being with you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

8. What is the obstacle or conflict?
Every interesting drama has a conflict… something that stands in the way of success.
Identify the obstacle or conflict within the song…from YOUR perspective and life’s experiences.
Now use your life experience to overcome the obstacle.

9. Overcoming the obstacle is your WHY…
Always remember the WHY!

10. Write a scenario (imaginary circumstances)
Situation
Place, time, era
Why you are in this situation
Why you are saying these things
What happens during the song
What happens at the end

11. Because of You
All my days were lonely ones, Till you came along. Now my days are happy ones; you filled my life with song.
Because of you there’s a song in my heart. Because of you my romance had its start. Because of you the sun will shine, The moon and stars will say you’re mine forever And never to part.
I only live for your love and your kiss. It’s paradise to be near you like this. Because of you my life is now worthwhile; And I can smile, because of you.

12. Preparation: To whom are you talking? Be specific!
What are the characteristics of this person?
How do you feel – about person, situation?
How does the other person feel?
What do you want from the other person?

13. Preparation What causes you to begin speaking?
How does the other person react?
How do you react to their response?
Is success guaranteed?
What will you do to achieve your goal?
How will you change your approach?

14. Not While I’m Around
Nothing’s gonna harm you, not while I’m around Nothing’s gonna harm you, no sir, not while I’m around Demons are prowling everywhere nowadays I’ll send them howling, I don’t care, I got ways.
No one’s gonna hurt you, No one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you, Not to worry, whistle, I’ll be there.
Demons’ll charm you with a smile, for a while, but in time… Nothing can harm you, not while I’m around.

15. Not While I’m Around
Being close and being clever, Ain’t like being true. I don’t need to, I would never hide a thing from you, Like some…
No one’s gonna hurt you, no one’s gonna dare. Others can desert you Not to worry, whistle, I’ll be there!
Demons’ll charm you with a smile, for awhile But in time... Nothing can harm you Not while I’m around...

16. You Don’t Know Me
You give your hand to me And then you say hello I can hardly speak My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell You think you know me well But you don’t know me.
No, you don’t know the one Who dreams of you at night And longs to kiss your lips And longs to hold you tight
Oh I’m just a friend That’s all I’ve ever been ‘Cause you don’t know me

17. You Don’t Know Me
I never knew The art of making love Though my heart aches With love for you
Afraid and shy I’ve let my chance to go by The chance that you might Love me, too
You give your hand to me And then you say good-bye I watch you walk away Beside the lucky guy
You’ll never never know The one who loves you so Well, you don’t know me

18. Rule #2: Learn your music effectively
Study the words in context of Rule #1
Conversationally speak the words
Let your body move/gesture as if in a conversation
Notice how your body decides to move in order to enhance your communication

19. Rule #2: Learn your music effectively
Consider the other person’s possible reaction(s)
Consider how you will respond to any reactions
Role-play to test for naturalness and believability
Speak the words in the context of the arrangement’s word duration, etc.

20. Remember:
Communication occurs between phrases… …AND often BEFORE we say anything

21. Apply valid performance guidelines
Rule #3:
Apply valid performance guidelines

22. Common barbershop performance myths:
We must:
stand in a certain configuration (T, L, Bs, Br)
not move while singing
constantly move (to show energy)
“sell” the song
“try” to look natural
exaggerate facial expressions

23. Rule #3: Apply valid performance guidelines
Common barbershop performance myths:
We must stare at the director or microphone
We must sing to the entire audience
We must use our hands to convey all emotion
The audience must understand all details of our “scenario”
We must “make” the audience believe us

24. We need to NOT do any of these things!!
Rule #3:
Apply valid performance guidelines
Common barbershop performance myths:
We must “reset” at every breath or phrase change
We must show the audience every music component with our hands/arms/head/face/body
We need to NOT do any of these things!!

25. Rule #3: Apply valid performance guidelines We need to:
Begin with the end in mind
“Let” and not “make”
Communicate as a human being
Be present in the story …live in imaginary circumstances
Find the “beats” in the text and use them

26. Beats/Emotional Beats:
Places in the text where emotion changes
Usually BEFORE text is spoken
Not just at the beginning of a sentence
Punctuation can help identify the beats
Let’s see an example….

27. From the 1st Hello…
Our song was a song of tomorrow Our hearts were as high as the sky But songs are forgotten and skies often gray Nevertheless, there is this I can say. From the first hello, to the last good-bye It’s been awfully nice to meet you So excuse the parting sigh.

28. Rule #4: Always be “present” No auto-pilot!
Be aware of yourself and everything around you
Remember your “why”…not just the “what”
Be emotionally available at every rehearsal and performance

29. Our goal: Real living in imaginary circumstances.