The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #50679 Message #769641
Posted By: dwditty
22-Aug-02 - 11:12 AM
Thread Name: Singing: Eyes open or closed?
Subject: RE: BS: Eyes open or closed?
Great discussion. I have been playing online for a couple of years (Hearme, now Paltalk), and I always sang with the words in front of me. Big mistake. Now I am playing out some....mostly open mics. After the first time, I realized how much work I need to do to be ready for an audience. Learning the words is essential, of course. Connecting with the audience seems just as important to me. I am in the process now of singing without words....if I mess up, I go back to that section after the song and do it a few times again. Eventually, I get it. Some songs seem to just graft to my head, while others take much effort to learn cold.
As far as eyes open or closed...I generally agree that watching someone "sing in their sleep" is not all that enjoyable...unless the closed eyes contribute to the deep feelings the song is stirring in the singer. Then, watching a performer lost in his/her music can be a very personal connection between the performer and the audience. For the most part, though, I try to connect with the audience by looking at them, stopping occasionally to sing to an individual, and if the song allows, to smile....they always smile back.
dw