Leave them wanting more

Subject: Leave them wanting more
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 12:43 PM

My friend and mentor of opera fame, Suzanne Gorder, gave me sage advice when I first began to prepare for performing and for joining sessions and song circles. She told me it is always better to leave people wanting to hear you sing more rather than feeling they wish you would 'quit already'. Once I started participating in a session, I really was aware of how good this advice is. I have observed groups that have worked very well when the members are aware of sharing the spotlight. These good experiences come from either consciously going around a circle asking each person in turn what they want to sing or play, or just having a mix of people who are aware of the quiet ones and bringing them out to start a tune or song or perform a solo. I now am aware that people cringe when they see the person walk in who plays and sings too loud, who jumps in and takes over the session at every chance, and that it was good advice Suzanne gave me regarding knowing when to be quiet and when to quit.

We have covered this subject to some extent in session etiquette threads, but I think it applies to other areas of group activity as well. It applies to the internet in e-lists and forums when a little reserve (think it, then don't post it, ... write it, then delete it) can keep a person from diluting the impact of their voice by over-using it.

Any other thoughts on the subject of "less is more"?
From my experience, understanding this concept goes a long way to promote smooth sailing in a group.

Alice

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 01:26 PM

Good advice but I think if anyone comes out of one of these things, thinking that it all went well and feeling perfectly satisfied, they probably did not notice that anyone else was there.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:46 PM

Alice

I wrote it then I deleted it.

I think everyone else has wisely taken your advice?

(Smoles).

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: kendall
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:57 PM

a mark of the amateur is not knowing when enough is enough.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,Barfy
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 10:36 PM

Or in Shambles' case: Leave them wanting less

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 05:19 AM

The (lack) of response to this one is probably quite understandable and reminds me of a Market Researcher I came across in the street once. She had what she thought was the ultimate first question. One which no matter how busy the people she asked were, they could not say NO to. Especially as she shouted it so that everyone passing would hear.

The question was:…………. Do You use underarm deoderant?

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 08:25 AM

Alice, I hadn't responded because I think your original post sums it up pretty well. The only other thing I'd add is to always prepare an encore, preferably not something you've already performed. Only do it if the audience is quite insistent - and then no more. As an economist/marketer would say - scarcity enhances perceived value. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: The Shambles
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 12:13 PM

I think that most of the above is very true. It is more applicable though when the object IS to make the maximum impact, like a performance to an audience.

It is less true for informal gatherings where most people there just want to play and sing. The trick then is probably to try involve as many people as possible when you play. To make your performance not to appear to be a performance?

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: sophocleese
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 11:04 PM

Alice have you ever been to a Quaker meeting? The lees is more concept works very well there, however not a lot of people follow it teribly well. In my experience the worst are the compulsive summing-uppers. Those who cannot bear to leave any question still showing slight signs of life. Who must beat all whimsy into recognizable and proper Friendly terms. In short.....

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,The Old Fart
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 11:29 PM

I should like to thank everybody for all their worthwhile contributions.
I believe that they were all worthy, and while I can't stress enough our need to look at these deep questions in great depth, I am just relieved that every conceivable angle has been well and truly measured, given a name, washed behind the ears, scalped on the backside (metaphorically, of course - That was just a little joke!!!!), and lovingly put to bed. And it was all done in that true spirit of solidarity and sister/brotherhood that we only find among our true friends here at the Mudcat.

I want to thank you, thank you all.

Thank you.

I am truly humbled.

I am actually.

I think it goes back to when I was a child.
Life was tough in those days. Hogarthian working class images haunt me in my sleep.

But anyway, I digress.

Story of my life actually.

Mother always said I would turn out to be a digresser.

Proved her right, didn't I?

Well, anyway,

Thank you once more.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:10 AM

I have a feeling that it isn't quite summed up yet is it?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,The Old Fart
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:21 AM

Well, at least I had my say.

Does anyone else's really matter when you can read such poetry as mine, for instance, along with all our merry Mudcatpersons, who also contribute a little bit themselves.

I think our eyes should be open, and our hearts should be warm, and we should all sit here and graciously, lovingly, and with greastest respect (just to avoid any possible misunderstanding, you understand), gleefully look forward to the New Millenium with peace in our hearts, love in our breasts, and a plentiful supply of red herrings.

Can anyone explain to me why this phenomenon is?

Any takers?

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:26 AM

I think we all like herring.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,The Old Fart
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:30 AM

Precisely

Any one else?

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:35 AM

While we wait, could you toast me a couple of bagels? A little cream cheese too, if you don't mind. Goes well with the herring.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:40 AM

Back from....GOK...(god only knows)

SAGE ADVICE

As in previous YEAR'S posts....by MANY previous posters....

The audience will NEVER want more if it is performed poorly.....

Therefore,....a.... 1,4,5.....AKA I,VI,V..... performed well by an amature is more welcome than a V7dm.....performed poorly by by a "Field HAND" ING.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:42 AM

Dearest Shambles....

The "Lack of Responce" has brought me back

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,The Old Fart
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:52 AM

Yes, but how can we equate this to the relationship between the global increase in world crime, the ever undulant NASDAQ, and the butterfly flapping her/his wings in China?

This is at the core of the matter, and farting over a couple of bagles with creamy cheese serves only to compound the argument.

It's as futile as sitting outside a pub on your own playing the Trumpet hornpipe on a bouzouki.

For this is where our search for truth finally ends.

True Enlightenment

At least it's better than staring at a wall for twenty years.

Do we have any of those here?

Wall starers?

I was never quite convinced of it's efficacy.

Stank of realism.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: Escamillo
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 01:56 AM

Good advice, Alice. Fortunately for me, I am never the only singer in a performance, I just sing a couple of songs or arias and leave, (many times as the last number *BG*) and then I always leave them wanting more. It is one of the advantages of not being a star (yet).
(And being the last, wearing black clothes and leaving soon is another advantage to escape from any violent reaction)
No joke, that´s a reason I prefer CDs that include several performers. Even the most perfect and enjoyable voice becomes boring after the 15th song.
Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: sophocleese
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 12:30 AM

Old Fart, I never realized, is that how you spell NASDAQ? Hot Damn, things you learn on a Mudcat thread...

I think that's why I likle to keep learning new stuff. I prefer people to keep wondering about what I'm going to sing next rather than sitting back knowing I'll be doing THAT song. its been tricky for me to learn that sometimes people really do want to hear the same song over again. Really tricky as I also like to hear the same song over again when I hear performers but I can never really believe that anybody wants to hear me sing again. The old perfectionist's double standard again I guess.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 12:41 AM

I would be interested to hear what Shambles has to say about all this new stuff

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 12:49 AM

I feel confident that he will have more and it will be incomprehensible gibberish to we of only mortal gifts.

Subject: RE: Leave them wanting more
From: GUEST,Barfy
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 11:43 AM

But will he leave after that?