JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum Being the Frontman

So here's the deal. I'm 27, I'm classically trained, and I've spent the last year working really hard to transition into rock music, because it fits my songwriting and a lot of what I want to express.

The thing is-and I'm sure this is common what comes out in my lyrics and my musical style is a lot of emotions and moods that I don't generally let out in public.

Unless you know me really really well, I come off as reserved and quiet. But that isn't all of me, not by a long shot.

Now I have no problem speaking in public, and I think I have a decent handle on controlling stagefright well enough to sing. But here's the thing. I dance like an ******* . I mean, really... it's bad. Not just silly but actively dorky.

How am I supposed to rock the crowd out? How do I make them feel what I feel, charge them up and get them moving? Oh I can trot out a Jesus pose, bend the mic stand forward, maybe run around a bit.

But how do I become an effective, dynamic, true front man?

Thanks.

I think that as long as you're expressing what YOU feel in your dancing, then the audience will catch onto that enthusiasm no matter how silly it is.

As long as its "real" and not some preconceived notion of what you should dance around like, then the audience will accept that as a part of who you are.


Just be you.


[This message has been edited by Alison (edited 05-04-2006).]

[This message has been edited by Alison (edited 05-04-2006).]

Alison is right as rain.

Besides, this is the age of "anything can be cool" in entertainment. I mean already, David Byrne has completely taken the uncool dancer up to stadium-rock standards, and that was years ago.

Authenticity is the key. If you can fake that, you've got it made. (sorry that was stolen from an old line by George Burns.)

All the Best,
Mike

------------------
You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

Thanks for the fast replies, you two. Good tip about David Byrne. I watched a little live video and, whoa, I think even I might be able to manage a bit better than that because I know what -not- to try.

I think it's gonna be the hardest for me in the guitar breaks and the sexy hard rockers- just not quite sure how to convey all those feelings -authentically-. I mean, they are totally authentic (I think there's a tiny sleaze rocker who lives inside my head, smoking cigarettes and tossing empty bottles of jack to the floor), and I've channeled that into my voice and some of my music, but the mind-body connection is really hard to make.

Your question resonates with me because I've worked through a similar thing (and I, too, have a classical background). I continue to work with it, too.

One very important thing -- don't feel like you alone have to rock out the crowd. You AND the music and the band do that -- you're up front, but you're not alone.

You also don't have to "dance" per se. Hand gestures, facial expression...all are fair game for communicating with the audience and emphasizing the lyrics. Sing to someone in the audience as though they are the "singee" - or sing to several someones in the audience. When you're not singing, you can either lay back and let the soloist shine (but do noticably direct your attention to him or her), or actively show your appreciation for the soloist... and encourage 'em to shine.

I front a 4 piece band that plays Louisiana and New Orleans style rocking, funky blues, R & B, and some jazz and Gospel. And we clown around on stage. If we are having fun, the audience has fun. Alison and Mike said that authenticity is of primary importance, and I agree. It's important for the whole band, not just the front person! An audience can sense what comes from the soul.

One other comment - it is a bit of a leap from straight classical singing to something "looser." Give yourself permission to break out of what I'd call a "classical body stance" and move around. You know what you can and can't do and still keep proper breathing happening.

LET YOUR INNER SLEAZE ROCKER OUT!!! (just don't pick up his smoking habit!!) And what the heck, indulge in a bit of your libation of choice, loosen up a bit (drink plenty of water as well, of course) and just have fun with it. Physically loosening up before a gig helps as well. Be yourself, and you will probably discover NEW parts of yourself in the process.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Brenda



------------------
Brenda
www.BlueMerlot.com
www.BandBontheRock.com

Use your quirkiness to your advantage {look at the kid that just won American Idol} Different SELLS! Do what comes naturally ,critics be damned. My front-man style has been described as a drunken grizzly bear trying to exit a phone booth, and people love it! Your style may well become a cult sensation!

------------------
bc

I'm new today and here one of my quirks is going to come out already (sigh). I love many forms of music including classical, but my favorite group of all time is Queen.

Watch a few live DVD's to see how they generated all that energy--and it's not just 'dance moves,' it's a rapport they had with each other AND with the audience. Also, Freddie Mercury (and the rest of the band, actually) was classically trained long before he picked up a mic and started singing.

So it can be done.

Good luck and be yourself!

[For myself, I know I perform better and am less nervous with a large crowd than with a small group of a dozen or so, where I know the people or can see all the faces. It's so much easier when the house lights are down!]

Rock on--best wishes to you.

Linda

i've been to a few rock concerts - they were all amazing and they all had one thing in common...none of them danced. they jumped around a bit, but that's it.

if the croud are into you anyway, you won't have to do anything else - just sing

The most important thing about being a frontPERSON (we chicks rock out too...lol!) is to never forget that you're leading the party.. you're in charge of someone else's good time.

The best way to get into the role... because it's very much an acting thing I think..... is to get into the music...whatever that means for you. Be the biggest fan of the band behind you (watch Ozzy for a good role model for this) and show it. Punch the air to the kick drum, throw all your focus to that screaming guitar solo to your left...just get into the band and enjoy it! The rest will come easily.

Also, I've found it helpful to work up a couple of funny bits or short songs to cover those moments on stage where stuff goes wrong.. string breaks, cable switch outs...stuff like that. I've got a very non-pc version of Mr. Sandman that I pull out accapella for these kind of problem spots. The show flow is the Frontperson's responsibility too.

So I wanted to ask a question on this topic, but since you already did, I'll just ask my question here.

So you're classical trained and you are a rock singer? That's what I want to do.
I have not taken professional lessons, but I do practise with a very very very good vocals book, and I visit vocalists sites often. And I do know pretty much how to reach high and big notes.

Anyway, so know I've started a band. I want to apply my classical singing in it, but I'm a bit insecure, because I've not yet come across a rock metal band with a male classical singer. There are many metal bands with female classical singers. Liek Nightwish, After Forever, etc. but I want that too, but only with a male voice.

So does anyone have something to say?

Malice_Angel, why not be the new trend. I'd be cautious with the pipes, though, because classical singing is not just about reaching high notes, it's about singing on the breath, with legato, with excellent diction, placing the voice effectively to get the most with the least amount of effort, etc. Michael Buble doesn't sing rock, but he demonstrates excellent vocal technique, as does Josh Groban. I think the crucial thing for you in singing heavier music is not to push the voice for volume, pitch or length of note, over the instruments - have good monitors and mix the live sound so that the vocal is a little in front, not buried in the noise. IMO that would be healthier for the voice.

just my two cents
Hummin'bird

------------------
Vikki Flawith, Canadian Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher
Vikki on Soundclick
Vikki on MySpace
My ZaNy cRaZy Blog

Sample my *F*O*L*K* CD

yes I know it's not all about the high notes... I do practise breath control a lot, so my voice doesn't disappear in the middle of a note...
and I very often practise on real classical music. I also love Josh Groban's voice. He's a great singer. Well thanks for the tip.
I'll try to make this new trent, with the classical metal, and amle singer

Can you act?

As I was reading the posts, I was reminded of David Bowie - if I remember correctly, he had difficulty with this in his early days, which is why he took on different "persona" - Ziggy Stardust, etc. He was "playing a part" he imagined.
Remember in a live situation, you're working for the audience. It's your job to entertain them.
Another thing you could do between songs, string change moments, etc. - have a conversation with someone in the audience. As if that one person is the ONLY one that matters. Connect!! If that goes over well, do the same sort of thing with someone else in the audience at another pause.. It sort of gives them (the audience member) their moment of fame. - Shift the focus a bit...
Having some kind of interaction helps tie things together between band and audience - and it doesn't have to be limited to dance.

------------------
Tom Tracy
http://www.soundclick.com/tomtracy

Well, you asked .

I said this a post or two above yours, but I'll repeat myself at the grave risk of looking silly.

Please please please get ya' some Queen concert footage (Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl DVD is great) and watch Freddie Mercury on stage. The guy COULD sing classical opera if he wanted to (and did, with Montserre Cabellat).

He had amazing range, and powerful control of his instrument. Serious. And they rocked with the best of 'em.

Freddie did get vocal nodes as he got older, that plus heavy smoking should've ruined his voice, but didn't. You can hear on _Innuendo_ and _Made in Heaven_ that he hadn't lost his chops even as ill as he was then.

...Or are you talking more about, say, Josh Groban sings the Scorpions?

ehhh.... sorry if I'm not catching on to what you're shooting for. I don't know the bands you referenced. Do they have websites?

My take is, be yourself and run with it!

Linda



------------------
====================
Linda Adams
http://www.alyssastory.com

I was going to mention Queen but I wasn't sure if they were heavy metal. Loved those chops

You can't. Give up immediately and get a job in the food service industry.

Just kidding....

You do what everyone else does: work at it until you can't work any more...then work at it some more. It will come. Turn your handicaps into opportunities. If you can't dance like everyone else, dance like YOU and it just might be something completely new that will mesmerize people.

For inspiration, look at old tapes of Joe Cocker, a clod if ever their was one. But he turned his spastic, spinning, drunken reel into an industry. Maybe you can, too.

Good luck.

okay thx for the tip I'll do my best and try to find it!

You know... try to find some Ozzy footage too. He's not the best vocalist necessarily....but he's a great front man.

Hey bro, if you must. Wear some dark glasses so no-one can see your eyes. Keep them closed and let the music flow through you. If you can't feel the music then it's not right for you and it will come across as FAKE!!!! Thats not music. Music is about freedom. I once passed out cold just listening to our music and feeling it. I don't know what I was doing nor do I care. The crowd loved and thought it was part of the show. It's a great idea to look for others for ideas and the self study dvds can be invaluable. Just remember that the sound on some of those aren't going to be the best. One exercise is to practice with out a mic stand and open windows. I lifted the door on the garage with many other bands around and put my mic stand off to the side. This got me use to NOT hiding behind the mic stand and singing with out a care. Rock is about rebellion. Living the life that others are to afraid to live. If it's in your mind, it will always be in your mind. Don't sing about this and be that. Be true. You can still rock out hard. Look at some of these christian rock bands out now. Hell there are christian METAL bands out there. You don't have to throw bottles of jack on the ground and smoke to be cool. I prefer Jim Beam anyways. Later...

I believe a guy just won American Idol who's stage moves were somewhat dubious!

I think Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam has one of the worse stage presence(s) I ever seen, but man, the minute he opens his mouth, I'm floored. If you've got the chops, don't worry so much about the other stuff.

Robin Wilson of The Gin Blossoms frequently bangs on a tamborine in place of dancing around. He gives the tamborine to an audience member to play at times, he sings into people's cell phones, etc... He involves the audience and makes them part of each show. Make their day, have fun, and rock out.

Kaika