Effective Lead Vocals - Part 4

By Jeannie Deva

Message

Deciding what message you want your audience to receive is perhaps the single most important artistic element of performance preparation. The message provides a reference point and gives continuity to your show. You can evaluate all other elements of the show against the message when deciding what to include and what will detract from the overall impact of your performance.

With all the other details of performance competing for attention, message is not likely to be at the top of many performers' lists. In fact most haven't even thought about it and the ones who have a message, usually do because their audience has selected it for them. For instance, many rock bands of the mid 60's and earlier 70's had the message "buck the establishment." It's hard to say if they decided upon it before they performed or recorded or if they adopted it from the audiences of the time.

Your message doesn't need to be verbalized. It could be an emotion or a feeling of well being. It is whatever concept you want your audience to receive. Perhaps you just want them to feel good for a while or regain hope for the future or get the idea of the human spirit overcoming misfortune. Whatever it is, the lyrics, music and the rest of your stage performance should complement rather than conflict with your message.

Technique versus Performance

I'm sure you've heard vocalists who don't have technically developed voices, yet they really command your interest and inspire you. While not having the technical proficiency of a Bobby McFerrin or Christina Aguilera, performers like Bono, Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney can still excite huge audiences. Technique can give you a bigger vocabulary of sound, develop your self-confidence and avoid vocal blow-out. But what makes one singer great and another one a bore is the degree of life and passion communicated to the audience through the song.

Focus on the technical details of singing during your practice time until they become part of your approach. When you're performing, the techniques will be there to support you while you immerse yourself in the music, your message and your audience.

What is the Mood?

Through experience, you can learn how to modify your performance and material to fit the performance situation. An intimate coffee house, a dance club, a large stadium, wedding, or your family's living room each have their own requirements. You obviously wouldn't always sing the same way or even use the same material in each of those situations.

Consider the environment in which you'll be singing. Decide if there is an overall mood you want to create that aligns with your message and what kind of experience you want to give your audience. From there you can select appropriate songs and put them into an order that will paint this mood like the strokes of an artist's brush. You may be thinking this all seems just a bit too calculated and wouldn't it be better to just go with the flow. Well, it is calculated, but it is done to make sure that both you and the audience have a mutually great experience. If you go with the flow, you are surrendering control and who knows how that will end up. All successful artists control their performances and careers.

Have a safe and happy month,
Jeannie Deva