Description:
Welcome to Part 2: Places to Perform! This section is devoted to some common venues and ways to actually get experience performing. Each day we will discuss some typical situations where you may find yourself performing and how to specifically prepare for each one with some tips and tricks.
Casual performance opportunities are a great place to start for any beginning singer looking to get comfortable performing in front of others. Some examples of a casual performance are: karaoke or open mic nights, singing around the campfire, or with family and friends. Here is an example of a simple song that you use along with any of the other excerpts provided later on in the course. It's called “Red River Valley” and it lends itself to a nice harmony if desired.
Example: “Red River Valley”
D
From this valley they say you are leaving
A
We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
D G
For you take with you all of the sunshine
For you take with you all of the sunshine
D A D
That has brightened our pathway a while
That has brightened our pathway a while
A more formal setting is naturally going to make singers more nervous and require a little more preparation for. Some examples of formal performances are weddings, funerals, and most larger concerts with more than a handful of people involved. Let's try singing Amazing Grace. I picked this song because it has been used in both weddings and funerals. There are so many others obviously, but make sure the emotion and your presentation fits with the context.
Example: “Amazing Grace”
G G7 C G
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
G G D
That saved a wretch like me
G G7 C G
I once was lost, but now am found
Em D G
Was blind but now I see
Great job! Up next is a very popular topic, how to prepare for auditions!
Lessons:
- 1: Welcome
-
2:
Song Choice
-
3:
Releasing Physical Stress
-
4:
Performance Anxiety
-
5:
Expression in Song
-
6:
Casual vs. Formal
-
7:
Auditions
-
8:
Choir
-
9:
Opera & Musical Theater
-
10:
Band & Contemporary
-
11:
Recording, Social media and Posting
-
12:
Practice
-
13:
Dress Rehearsal
-
14:
Performance Day
Instructor: Abram Poliakoff
Abram Poliakoff is a singer, guitarist, pianist, teacher, conductor, and composer. He received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts from USC’s Thornton School of Music and has been teaching music for 8 years. He is currently both the Associate Artistic Director and a tenor in the L.A. Choral Lab, which recently released its first studio album Sonic Visions in the fall of 2019. Abram teaches and performs a wide range of genres including Classical, Jazz, Folk and Popular music in the Los Angeles area. He has also sung with the San Francisco Opera and Pocket Opera in the Bay Area. His teaching mission is to help his students utilize vocal technique to find their authentic and healthy voice while maximizing genre flexibility and a naturalness of expression.