Solo Gig Patter Angst

Subject: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: SlickerBill
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 12:47 AM

Just got back from a terrific house concert; Wailin' Jennies from Winnipeg Canada. They're on their way out west, so any Canuck Catters out there ought to check em out. great musicians and songwriters and man, they sing like angels. And funny. Lots of different tunings, but the patter between songs is wonderful and funny...

Which brings me to my angst. Does anyone ever feel like you're kind of, well, speechless between songs? I get my set together, but MAN, it's hard to entertain people between tunes. Any ideas? Any observations? Opinions? I mean, I understand that this is the kind of thing that one learns over time and with experience, but surely there's a better or worse road one might take. What do you think works best?             SB

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 12:52 AM

"What do you think works best?"

I donno... I find some nights I'm just "ON" and it comes in an easy ebb and flow... Other nights, after 2 or 3 failed false starts, I resign myself to just shutting up and playing the songs...

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: Mudlark
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 03:38 AM

SlickerBill...I've often wondered about the same thing...will be watching this space.

It is reassuring, however, to listen to "live" recordings of singers like Joan Baez who may occasionally say a few words about what they are about to sing, but in no way try to "entertain" between tunes...they just get on with it. And it works just fine.

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: Amos
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 10:07 AM

It's based on how you hold the relationship between you and them in your mind. Writers have the same problem, but slower (:>). My father, who did it (writing) for a living, advised someone once that what worked for him was to write as though "composing letters to a favorite aunt".

If you imagine you are being charming to that foxy dewy-eyed lass in the front row center -- or the back of the room, for projection-- it'll go like butter, doncha think?

A

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 02:28 PM

You should practice talking to the audience, just the same way you practice playing and singing--you decide what you want to say, where you want to say it, and work out what you are going to say, before hand, and stand in front of a mirror, or even stand up in front of all the furniture in the living room and pretend that there are live people out there and talk to them--

If you don't have a knack for speaking "off the cuff" don't hestitate to write things out and memorize them--many performers do this, even comedians who have a reputation for being "spontaneous"--

If you think that it is not important, because you are really just singing and not doing a spoken performance,think again--Unfocussed rambling, awkward pauses, nervous laughter and, especially, inappropriate remarks, can spoil a musically great show, and can make you look like you don't know what you're doing--

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 03:22 PM

"even comedians who have a reputation for being "spontaneous""

Zactly!

For instance... Robin Williams isn't really a great 'improve' actor... he's got a GREAT memory for stuff he's thought of before... a subtle but important difference... He doenst' make stuff up on the spot.. he spends hours writing material that he then commits to memory... What's really amazing aobuot him is his 'access time' or lack there of! LOL

Ever seen a performer twice on the same CD tour? Ya got almost exactly the same show didn't ya? Almost down to word for word patter even...

That's not an accident...

But I'm telling secrets here, and I can feel the crosshairs trying to focus on the back of my head... so I'm gonna get!

:-)

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 03:47 PM

I was thinking about Robin Williams as well, Clinton--

Subject: RE: Solo Gig Patter Angst
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 03:47 PM

And when you DO get comfortable.....be careful!!

Heather is forever telling me after a gig, "You talked too much...as usual". I think the problem is that she's heard my jokes and stories far too many times.

Rick