Introducing a Song
Remember that time you were in a class where the teacher lectured for the entire period?* It doesn’t take long for our minds to wander.
The speaker doesn’t often know he or she’s lost the audience. Why? Well, most people are courtesy. They pretend to listen. (Or at least they used to pretend to listen before cell phones had Internet access and text messaging.)
The same problem can happen for a performing musician, especially the acoustic-styled singer-songwriter, the folk troubadour.
“Don’t speak song introductions longer than the actual song!” is one common joke.
It took me a while to realize I had to plan out, even practice, my song introductions and stage banter ,just like practicing the songs.
You don’t need to write out a speech, but you sure need to visualize what you are going to say.
One might say, “That takes away the magic,” but I argue that any good improviser practice improvisation. Practicing is what allows us to find the magically moments.
Peyton Tochterman is one of those songwriters who can get away with breaking the rule, and share a mighty fine, long story! Ask him to share his adventure playing in Afghanistan!
* I know Holly grads, I know. I was guilty of this a few times.
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