Practical Tips for Building the Perfect Showcase
Part 2
VOCALS
Micah Barnes is a singer , songwriter , and vocal and performance coach . He travels between Toronto , New York , and Los Angeles on a regular basis to work with clients and also offers private sessions online . His Singers Playground performance workshops , which he developed at The Highways Performing Arts University in Santa Monica , CA , have helped thousands of artists deepen their skill sets as performers on both sides of the border . www . singersplayground . com .
By Micah Barnes
Practical Tips for Building the Perfect Showcase
Part 2
A Few Important Things to Consider …
Once you have created a basic sketch of your showcase set , it ’ s time to sit back and take the time to ask yourself some important questions :
• What kind of a ride are you taking the audience on ?
• Is there an organic build to the momentum of your set ?
• What emotional journey are you asking them to join you on ?
• What do these songs tell the audience about who you are and your artistic identity ?
If it becomes clear that the songs are all similar in tempo , you will want to consider switching some of the songs around in order to build momentum as things progress through your set . If your songs are all in the same keys , you may want to do some transposing to give a different harmonic colour to your set . And if the subject matter of your songs in very similar , this might be the time to consider a well placed cover song to help open up the emotional landscape a little !
Prepare in Advance I advise starting your preparations early enough so there is no last minute frenzy to memorize , finalize , or reorganize your set . You want your showcase set built and ready to be rehearsed every day , weeks and weeks in advance of your show . Also , don ’ t practice by yourself and think that between you and the mirror you have the whole thing figured out . Take to the open mics , local stages , coffeehouses , etc . and even consider filming your various performances . Take advantage of your closest friends and family and ask for honest feedback . You may not take all the advice you get , but you will certainly have a better idea about what is working and what isn ’ t .
Remember : the showcase set isn ’ t about making you feel good ; it ’ s about making them feel good !
Handling Your Nerves Of course you ’ ll be nervous , but smart preparation will help overcome even the worst cases of stage fright . You should know the songs in your set so well that you could perform them upside down in a snowstorm and still come off like a powerful , relaxed performer . Industry folks know what nerves look like and may well be in a forgiving mood , but it ’ s the winners in the business that practice like crazy and handle their nerves in a way that allows them to stay present and engaged in communicating their material .
A Final Word You can ’ t be any place you are not , so don ’ t fret about not being as fully developed as you want to be as an artist at the time of your showcase . Your job right now is to make sure you are creating the best possible representation of where you are at this moment in time . The “ perfect ” showcase set is a Rubik ’ s Cube that will take time and lots of trial and error to figure out . Don ’ t worry about getting it right the first time . Your showcase set isn ’ t frozen in place once you ’ ve put it together ; it will keep changing and evolving in tandem with your art and career . You will be working on perfecting it for as long as you ’ re performing .
Good luck and knock em ’ dead !
32 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN