Singing: Eyes open or closed?

Subject: RE: BS: Eyes open or closed?
From: GUEST,Bagpuss
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 05:20 AM

Sometimes I sing with my eyes closed. mainly if I am nervous, because when I am nervous I am easily distracted and more likely to make mistakes. With my eyes closed there is less to distract me and I can almost forget about how many and who is listening. When I feel more confident, I tend to keep my eyes open and interact more.

Bagpuss

Subject: Eyes open or closed?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 05:09 AM

I have a theory that if you learn a song by reading the words, when you put the words down, the song will be sung with eyes closed because the words are stored in one certain place in the memory. When your eyes are closed you can 'see' the words. If you learn the words by ear you'll probably sing the song with your eyes open.

Why do some folk singers sing with eyes closed? As a member of the audience I find it distracting, anti-social and embarrasing. Like the singer puts up a wall between him/her and their audience. Like he/her is trying to get something over and done with. The look of relief when it's all over is obvious.

I sing with my eyes open, communicating with my audience, talking and connecting with them. What do others think?

Over to you........