Performers Workshop

Our first event at Club 240 was an informal Performers Workshop

We held it on December 5th, 2024 to introduce folks to the venue and do a soft launch.

It was a tremendous success.

There were twelve performers and a few listeners. We sat in a semi-circle on the dance floor, facing the stage with the listeners at tables behind us. It was an intimate experience with lots of opportunity for candid conversation. Everyone could hear everything.

One of the participants commented later,

"When everyone understands the focus is on learning and sharing, they seem more willing to put themselves out there. It is not easy, and I appreciated the willingness everyone showed."

Each performer did a song or a part of a song, and then we shared observations. Sometimes, based on comments, they would do it again a different way. Here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Vocal Technique

  • Dynamics

  • Expression from within

  • Finding the appropriate key for the singer's voice

• Guitar Technique

  • Choosing the right-hand approach to suit the song

  • Strumming or picking

  • Emphasizing the root notes

• Rhythm

  • Style

  • And nerves

  • Keeping the beat

• Microphone Technique

  • How distance affects tone

• Song Choice

  • Why this song?

  • Keep working on a song or choose another

• Technical Considerations

  • Listening to differences in EQ (tone adjustments) in the sound system

It went so well that the participants requested that we do it again, and we will; on December 12th. On December 19th, we have our first open mic/jam concert.

Some Ideas for Next Time (in addition to topics above)

• Reviewing the goals for the session

• Establish the ground rules - x minutes per performer depending on number of people

• So we can hear the performers; this won't be a jam or sing-along

• Sit or Stand

• Play from the stage (optional)

• Invite more listeners

• More discussion on Performance

• Reading vs. performing

Club 240 was the perfect venue for this workshop. The staff were welcoming and helpful. The layout was conducive to holding the workshop in this beautiful performance space while the regular patrons socialized and enjoyed themselves on the other side of the partition.

Sound system 

• Bose L1 Pro32,

• T4S ToneMatch Mixer

• Microphones

  • Sennheiser 431-II

  • Sennheiser e 835

  • Sennheiser MD 435

  • Neumann KMS 105

• Guitar Processing

  • Kemper Stage Profiler

  • Yamaha THRII 30

RSVP for the next one