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Performers Workshop II

Writer's picture: STST

We held our second Performers Workshop on December 12th, 2024. This was at the request of the people who attended the first one a week prior.


It was another wonderful session.


There were eight performers and a few more listeners than last time. This being our second workshop, we were all acquainted with one another and with the trust established last time, everyone came with an open mind and a willingness to help.

 

We were in the smaller lounge area at Club 240, which was well suited to sharing work in process and receiving candid feedback. We had microphones and amplification for guitars coming through the sound system. Based on feedback from the last session we added a foot-percussion instrument (stomp-box).

 

After a brief review of our notes from last time each performer did a song or a part of a song, and then we shared observations. This was an interative process where sometimes the participants would make suggestions and the performer would do the song again, incorporating changes.


Notes from this session

In addition to the topics from last time (see list at the bottom) we went on to explore

  • Rhythm

    • More ideas about how rhythm moves the song, the performer, the audience

    • Strumming patterns and variety

  • Harmony

    • We started to explore how people harmonize

  • Working with an accompanist

    • Arrangements

      • Beginnings, Endings, Timing between verses, Transitions

  • Vocal Technique

    • Vibrato

  • Simplifying arrangements

    • Play the song (not the guitar)

  • Learning songs

    • To perform without reading


Next time

After some discussion with the group, we plan to do a workshop like this on a regular basis; likely once a month on Monday evenings.

 

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 supportive. Although we had use the smaller lounge area due to a scheduling conflict, we still met the goals for the session.


Notes from last time

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


Sound system 

  • Bose L1 Pro32

  • T8S ToneMatch Mixer

  • Microphones

    • Sennheiser 431-II

    • Sennheiser MD 445

    • Sennheiser MD 435

    • Neumann KMS 105

  • Guitar Processing

    • Kemper Stage Profiler




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