Playing or singing in front of an audience.
-3
votes
0answers
73 views
Does the show “The Voice” use autotune [closed]
The duels on "The Voice" seem like they are autotuned. What do you think?
32
votes
18answers
4k views
How to play a song without making mistakes?
I have played keyboard quite a while and now I'm starting to practice some classical musics like Fur Elise. When I see a live performance of any musical instrument, there seems to be no error at all. ...
10
votes
4answers
197 views
Stage volume levels in rehearsal and performance
Two questions in one here. Often when rehearsing or at gigs, I'm asked to turn up my volume "'Cos we can't hear you!" when the band is already quite loud. Very rarely will the others turn down to ...
2
votes
6answers
118 views
Where/how can I get a song's backing track without a specific instrument so I can play for it?
I've been playing with the violin for a while now.
The latest song I learned was He's a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean. 'cuz it is a lot of fun.
I want to make a video of me playing it. And it ...
3
votes
4answers
96 views
Managing batteries for live performances
Many musicians use battery-powered "stomp boxes" and wireless microphones. When do you change the batteries? You can't have a device running out of power halfway through the show. Do people put in ...
5
votes
4answers
223 views
Can't feel meter when playing
I can't feel the meter when playing along very well, sometimes not at all.
Note I can feel the "pulse" just fine. I have no problem tapping my foot to the beat in time but I can't feel where the one ...
1
vote
3answers
81 views
How to deal with the fear of auditions?
A lot of people have a problem with auditions. They can perform their music in a decent manner when they are alone, or when they are playing for a small, prepared audience. But when they get into that ...
8
votes
2answers
178 views
Is it easier to play on a Grand Piano than an Upright Piano?
I was just wondering if it's easier to play on a Grand Piano comparing to an upright ? Like can someone play well on a grand if he's used to an upright...
I also wanted to know if the keys weight on ...
22
votes
15answers
4k views
What do you do when a string breaks or you drop your pick on stage?
One of my nightmares when I'm on stage is breaking a string or losing my pick. The former has happened to me before once, and also once right before I had to go on stage.
Are there any tips my ...
4
votes
7answers
3k views
How is electronic music performed live?
I produce electronic music like electro house/dubstep. I am releasing it on the internet for some time, and I think it's time to do a couple of live performances.
How can I perform it live?
6
votes
4answers
88 views
Overcoming “tracking nervousness” when recording a take?
I'm in that nasty position of becoming nervous when I hit the record button. I can be in my own little studio, no pressure whatsoever, playing perfectly, but as soon as I hit that record button, my ...
25
votes
12answers
2k views
How can I overcome the fear of performing in front of an audience?
I have been learning how to play Spanish guitar for more than two years and half.
Every time my friends ask me to play something, I get scared and my hands start to shake.
How to break this fear?
I ...
5
votes
5answers
214 views
Keeping a drummer in time with my keyboard
I'm a keyboard player in a party band, and I'd love to be able to use the kind of loop-delay sounds so common on modern processed recordings to fill out the sound. However, I face the immediate ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Is there an iOS app that can be used for simultaneous audio and midi output in a live stage environment?
Currently, I'm using an iPad and the built-in Music app to play backing tracks. It's great, but when it's time to play a new song, I have to use a separate device that outputs a midi clock to let the ...
6
votes
3answers
195 views
Baroque Performance Tips
What are some recommendations for performing Baroque music? My studio professor seems to think that I can improvise in the Baroque style as easily as breathing -- which is sadly not true.
The ...
8
votes
2answers
136 views
Is it acceptable to play the same note sumultaneously on different strings on Cello?
For a piece I am performing with a local school orchestra, a final open A is to undergo an "insane" crescendo to a Fortissississimo, which our conductor interprets as "as loud as possible."
A fellow ...
5
votes
6answers
214 views
Should a new band seek every possible opportunity to play or just work towards a few big shows?
My band had its debut show a couple weeks ago. The guitarist and singer and I (bass) have been playing together for a year plus, and we started playing with a new drummer in July. I'm really excited ...
5
votes
4answers
158 views
How can I rehearse and perform with PDF scores on screen instead of paper scores?
As a chorus and opera singer, I have gotten tired of lugging thick opera scores everywhere. Most of the music I sing is public-domain, and the scores are freely available in in PDF form. I am working ...
40
votes
8answers
1k views
How do professional accompanying musicians (seem to) figure out songs instantly?
Sometimes, when I'm watching any TV show which has a live hired band for accompanying and they have a musician guest, the host will ask for them to sing something on spot (that wasn't really planned), ...
6
votes
2answers
96 views
Placement of vocal soloists with orchestra
A recent trip to a major symphony orchestra to see Beethoven's Missa solemnis led me to wonder. In every performance of this work I've seen, the soloists have been placed at the back of the stage, ...
-1
votes
1answer
34 views
Truncating a song = copyright infringement? [closed]
In music, there are certain things considered to be under the control of the conductor's "artistic license" (exact performance tempo, dynamics, and variations thereof such as rubatos). Other things ...
7
votes
1answer
415 views
common mistakes made when singing
What are some of the most common mistakes made by people singing without the ability to get a vocal coach?
Although I don't like my voice all that much, I would like to make it tolerable since its a ...
0
votes
1answer
89 views
Arranging a copyrighted song [closed]
I have a friend in high school who wants me to arrange a copyrighted work for her high school band to play in concert. What do I need to do to make sure that the final composition is legal and ...
1
vote
1answer
145 views
Keyboard volume pedals
I have a Yamaha S90 XS synth and when I perform I would like to control the volume of one or more of the zone sliders (in Performance mode) with foot pedals so I can quickly switch from backup to ...
5
votes
1answer
168 views
Piano mordent with two notes
I'm trying to play Brahms' Hungarian dance №11 and there is a technical question.
How do I play a mordent from the 4th measure? Whether both notes should be played with mordent or just the upper one? ...
6
votes
3answers
208 views
Playing keyboard at a wedding
I will be playing keyboard (mainly piano and organ) at a wedding in a couple weeks.
Is there anything I should keep in mind (i.e proper etiquette, etc)?
I've done a lot of concerts, so I'm used to ...
13
votes
4answers
369 views
How do you successfully share another drummer's kit at a show?
The typical indie band showcase has 2 or 3 bands on a bill, and it usually makes logistic sense to share a backline (drums, bass amp, and maybe guitar amps). Some stage managers, or entire festivals, ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
How to avoid accents when singing?
Sometimes, on certain songs, I start to sing in an accent that kind of mimics the original vocals. One song in which I have this problem is Three Days Grace's Let It Die. How can avoid the accent ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Why are we worse in the second half and how might we fix that?
I play second violin in a local amateur orchestra. When we play concerts we always seem slightly worse in the second half. Why? I'm not sure if it's because we all breath a collective sigh of relief ...
4
votes
6answers
302 views
What are some resources for applying my computer skills to augmenting my musical performance?
I'm a professional software developer and a perpetual novice guitar player. I've also recently started to learn to play (piano) keyboard. I enjoy my playing, but even after years of torturing my ...
1
vote
2answers
762 views
Serato Scratch Live or Traktor Scratch Pro? (Or None)
I've been DJing for around 6 months now, and I think I'm at a mediocre level (even though I've had a month off due to broken tone arm, moving house and a terrible supplier who still hasn't dispatched ...
4
votes
3answers
297 views
Is there some symbolic meaning to breaking all the instruments during or at the end of your music video?
Also, have you been in a music video and done that? I'd like to know why.
1
vote
1answer
94 views
How to come over nervousness while stage performance? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I overcome the fear of performing in front of an audience?
I have played guitar several time on stage. But every time I start performing I feel a lot nervous. I ...
3
votes
2answers
212 views
Is it better to play the keyboard standing or sitting?
I recently purchased a Yamaha FC7 foot pedal. I plan to use if for overall volume control, emphasizing breaks and solos. This poses a challenge, though, as I normally stand when playing the keyboard. ...
2
votes
2answers
324 views
How can I avoid making unpleasant facial expressions when playing difficult chords?
When I'm playing (learning) difficult chords on guitar (ex: F,B7) my facial muscles (basically lips) form a weird action (I felt it and I saw it in the mirror).
I feel I'll get used to it as I go and ...
1
vote
0answers
114 views
What's the law on performing/recording a cover version? [closed]
I understand that in the US, there is a compulsory licence that must be granted by music publishers once a work has been commercially exploited the first time, that allows anyone to make a cover ...
6
votes
3answers
945 views
Covering songs by other artists - does money change hands?
Many bands cover songs by other bands, unofficially at concerts, or usually on live recordings (for example, Kurt doing Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie, at an MTV unplugged concert.
I always ...
5
votes
4answers
4k views
How can I make my keyboard sound like a Hammond organ?
I have a keyboard. It can play the basic MIDI sounds. I would like it to have a Hammond organ sound. Since I'm not sure if I can upload new sounds to its MIDI bank, I'm looking for a way to 'effect' ...
6
votes
2answers
117 views
How to make a career out of music?
I have a full-time job but I am also very interested in making a part-time career out of music. The aim would be to continue learning as well as making some money out of this passion.
So what would ...
14
votes
6answers
884 views
How to prevent a string from breaking during a performance?
Especially for the guitar, but also for other relevant string instruments, I've had my string break while practicing. I feel like such things could happen at any moment, this made me wonder...
How to ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
International Touring
I've had my share of booking in the states, but would like to know what differs abroad. I'm looking to take my solo project on an international tour... (My genre is dark piano rock/electronica.) Any ...
4
votes
1answer
262 views
Joik - traditional Sami songs from northern Sweden and Finland
I have some questions about the traditional Sami singing, Joiken, which is practiced in the northern parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway.
I learned that you don't joik about something, but you joik ...
8
votes
5answers
333 views
Keeping rhythm when performing live without a drummer
I'm a member of a small band, and a common problem that arises when playing faster-paced music is keeping everyone in sync, rhythm wise. It goes without saying that one person falling out of time can ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
What is the name of perfomance technique used in the chorus of Celldweller — Last Firstborn?
I am currently obsessed with the track by Celldweller called "Last Firstborn". Is there any name for the keyboard technique used in the chorus? In this YouTube video you can hear it from 1:28 right ...
3
votes
4answers
210 views
Bring Your Own Mic
Should I bring my own mic to open mic nights? I like the sound I get from my mic at home, and I spent alot of money on it. I have found that mics at various open mic nights are inferior to mine. So ...
6
votes
8answers
426 views
Dealing with different tunings on stage
I play guitar in an acoustic trio (vocalist, steelstring-guitar, double bass).
Currently I use 7 different open tunings in the setlist.
So I have to retune quite often, and we have to deal with the ...
7
votes
6answers
1k views
How to select a key-signature for a song
There are so many songs in pretty odd key-signatures like 4,5,6 sharps or flats. At least this is my impression when I listen to songs on the radio/net while trying to follow them on my piano/guitar. ...
3
votes
3answers
112 views
What techniques and styles do I use when I play electric guitar behind an acoustic guitar?
I play in my church, and for the Wednesday service, it can be variable. Sometimes it's a full band, with guitar, bass, drums and singer on guitar or keys, but sometimes it's just a singer and me.
I ...
7
votes
2answers
402 views
Will taking a long break from singing affect our vocal range (for the average singer)?
I want to know if we do not sing at all, or minimal for, say, 12 months, will our vocal range remain the same or will it actually be reduced?
I'm aware that since different people have different ...
7
votes
3answers
199 views
What are good tips for remaining composed during one's first public performance?
One's first public performance can be daunting in terms of the amount of anxiety involved. How should first time performers who have never been on stage (or performed in front of unknown people) deal ...
