The Do's, Don'ts, and Suggestions for Performers on the Road, on the Stage, and Generally Practicing Their Craft - Part I

Why am I writing you about what to do on the road?  Most of you aren’t on the road or going on tour any time soon.  However, many of you will be in a show soon or performing for a live gig or show, and these same principles apply.  You might not think you need “principles” or “rules” for yourself when you are on the road or performing live, but this can be a rather “dangerous” time for you, if you aren’t very careful and focused.  Here are the areas I suggest you be watchful over, and ideas I suggest you look into:

·      Don’t Be Alone, IF You Can Avoid It – This does NOT mean go out and try to meet somebody where you are.  It DOES mean take someone with you, if it’s at all possible.  This may take the form of befriending a fellow band member or another singer, or even a crewmember.  The reason this is important is that it gets REALLY lonely.  Believe it or not, it can get really lonely in a show, too.  If you’ve ever been in a show, you understand exactly what I’m talking about.  Having a friend or someone to talk to or confide in can really help you stay sane, and keep balanced.  If you are a person of faith, prayer and meditation are also very helpful.

·      Don’t Lose Touch With Home – Some of you will say this could never happen and some of you will say you left home a long time ago.  Trust me, either way, you NEED to maintain ties with friends and family at home to keep you grounded and sane when performance life gets you down.

·      Don’t Believe Everything You Hear – When you’re in a show of any kind, people are always telling you how incredible you are, how you’re the most amazing singer or performer or artist or you-name-it they’ve ever seen or heard.  You WANT to believe it, so you do.  The problem is, it’s fleeting, and as wonderful as it sounds and as great as you may be, you, almost certainly, want to achieve more. You don’t want to be limited by an ego blown up at some local show or club, and if you get too distracted by your “fans”, you may very easily become distracted from your ultimate goals and the work you need to continue to do to achieve those objectives.

·      Don’t Become Aloof – STAY REAL – This is, in part, an extension of the last point but not letting your ego drive you or your life getting stopped while you do one show is not the only thing you need to check yourself on.  You need to portray your “character”, if you’re in a play or have a stage persona while performing, but while off-stage, you need to be yourself.  You still need to be kind and considerate, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and don’t forget to maintain your voice and all that goes with it.

·      Don’t Forget Your Music Discipline, Your Dance, and/or Acting Exercises – Just because you got into a show or got hired for a road tour, or a club gig, does NOT mean you can “rest”, and just shop or veg by the pool all day.  Music is serious business.  When you look at Broadway stars or big rock or pop stars, you may think once they’ve arrived they just party but believe me, if they are touring, they actually keep a vocal coach touring with them, as well as a doctor.  Talk about a sweet job!  Until and even after you attain THAT kind of notoriety, you don’t get to “rest on your laurels”; you have to work EVERY DAY, warming up, stretching, and steaming your voice to keep your “chops” in great shape.

·      Develop Routines That are Flexible – Again, this may not be anything you think is necessary or possible but after years of experience, please trust it is both necessary and totally possible.  When you’re in a show, you’ll be asked to go out to breakfast or dinner; the musical director of the show will offer cursory warm-ups before a show, and you tell yourself that’s enough; or you stretch a little while you’re warming up and that pretty much works.  If you have a club gig, there is always the opportunity to drink on breaks and after the gig, as well as hitting after-hours clubs or breakfast, and sleeping in until 2 the next day.  When you’re touring, you have all those opportunities, plus shopping in exotic places, sightseeing, being “wined and dined” by interesting strangers, and getting to sleep in amazing 4-Star Hotels all-around the world.  For all that, you SHOULD be able to just enjoy yourself, right?  Well, if that’s all you ever want to do, then enjoy away.  However, if your dream is not just backing up someone else, doing club gigs your whole life, or doing local theater, you have to keep your eyes on more long-term thinking.  That’s very hard in creative people but, amazingly, some of the most successful artists in this industry are very long-range thinkers and planners.  You need sleep, absolutely, but you need to “do” also.  You should plan in time to vocalize and do physical stretches, warm-ups, and dance practice, if that is a part of your talent.  You need to warm-up your articulators, whether with Tongue Twisters or Articulation Exercises.  It’s a great idea to spend time, at least, a couple of times a week sending out resumes to agents, managers, other club owners, or directors.  Particularly when you’re touring, it’s great to send invitations to people in the towns where you are visiting soon, so they can have an opportunity to come see and hear you perform in person.  This is also true of bands.  When you are performing in a club or other venue, this is the perfect time to make calls and send invitations to get A & R people from record labels, to come listen to you in a “live” scenario.  You need to exercise (see below) physically.  You need time to socialize and explore but that has to be balanced with the other areas that need to absolutely be as much of your routine as brushing your teeth or checking your cell phone messages.

·      Don’t Fall Prey to “Peer” Pressure – You’ve achieved professional status; you’re being paid for your creative skill and talent.  HOWEVER, no matter your status or even your age, it is still very easy to fall prey to the allure and sometimes blinding glamour of newfound money and/or popularity.  Believe me, I understand needing to blow a little money on a new dress or the latest X-Box game but buying a new car or blowing your entire month’s salary on some expensive equipment you’ve been wanting, when you really don’t even know how long your job will last or if you will be kept for the entire run is beyond foolish, and can prove devastating.  There is a headiness that comes with getting professional work that MUST be tempered by prudence.  This is also not a time for just listening to “acquaintances” that tell you to “enjoy the ride” or that you have “arrived”.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a terrific, exciting time for a performer, and it absolutely SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.  However, once again, you MUST keep your eyes on your LONG-TERM goals.  You want to enjoy your achievement but you also want to continue to work and progress toward your “end game”.

Thanks for reading!  PLEASE send me comments below, suggestions for more posts, and/or any questions you may have.  Check out my website at www.SingitForward.net.  As always, Sing it Forward!