Re: Being gracious as a performer
Am 17 Jun 2004 um 20:44 hat Vance Wood geschrieben: If it is your obligation to speak to the performer you must realize that they also know they did not play that well. I'm not so sure about that ;-) Stephan
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
Dear Stewart, I couldn't agree with you more. Particularly about getting the beer in the Pub. As you know I've not performed on the lute in public (which should be considered a great benefit to the public), but have done a bit of time on stage. The fellow performers will be more worried about their own perceived mistakes. And those of the audience who loved you, if just for performing, don't care. And those who are critical would be critical of anyone, as that is their nature. To them I'd give answer 3 - I find xxxioni's interpretation of this piece too slow/too fast, or mis-read. Then go for your beer. Those who enjoyed it need no excuses, and those who didn't listen to the song but only heard the technical details don't deserve an excuse (let them play it). And one last thing, if you really blow a piece then stop - make a really big smile - and say I'm starting this over so you can hear it properly. The good people will love that, and the critics would be critics anyway. Best, Jon I have a couple of comments on the question of what to say to people after a performance: 1) To other performers: Nothing. No post mortems, no criticisms, nothing. Pack your stuff away, get to the pub for a beer, and talk about things other than music. If there was anything during a performance which really warrants discussion, you can save it for next time you meet. 2) To members of the audience: If someone praises you, say, Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed the performance. Do not mention mistakes, or other things which might have been of concern to the player. They are of no concern to the audience. Talking to a member of the audience is rather like an extension to the programme - a sort of encore - so you have to be positive. It's OK to say, It's lovely playing the lute in this 16th-century building with wood panelling on the walls, because the acoustic is so nice and resonant. It's not OK to say, It might have sounded better, if there weren't all those lousy carpets and curtains soaking up the sound. Best wishes, Stewart McCoy. - Original Message - From: Charles Browne [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Candace Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Lautenliste [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:03 PM Subject: RE: Being gracious as a performer. I think we should provide the audience with a copy of the music! I went into one festival, playing classical guitar, and the adjudicator said of my performance that was a wonderful piece of music you played, unfortunately it bore no resemblance to the copy you handed in to me earlier! best wishes Charles Browne
Being gracious as a performer.
I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend.
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
Herbert wrote: I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Thank yuh. Thank yuh verra much. Always worked for the King. Craig
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
Singers (what I usually do) are notorious for demurring too much: Oh, I wish that top Bb had been better, or I'm afraid I have a little bit of allergies. I try to remember what a horsemanship instructor told her star pupil, a shy 13-year-old. Just smile, say 'Thank you', and take the blue ribbon. I think it is always appropriate to do the same after a performance: smile, say thank you so much and perhaps add, I'm so glad you were able to attend or I'm so glad you enjoyed the music. And then, maybe, please stay for the reception or Great. Now let's go get a drink! :-) So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:26 AM Subject: Being gracious as a performer. I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend.
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
words fail me... sure did hear you... boy, that was something!... of course in america you can say that was just so... and shake your head as if you've been rendered speechless by the performance. you can keep that up for quite a while: so...so...so...etc. (try for a six-er) - which is better, i suppose, than some vacant-minded hyperbole like awesome! wow! works. as for receiving compliments, mostly i've performed with others which helps and on those few occasions when i've busked solo i'm usually so relieved to have got through the piece that i generally applaud them. - bill On Giovedì, giu 17, 2004, at 17:56 Europe/Rome, Candace Magner wrote: Singers (what I usually do) are notorious for demurring too much: Oh, I wish that top Bb had been better, or I'm afraid I have a little bit of allergies. I try to remember what a horsemanship instructor told her star pupil, a shy 13-year-old. Just smile, say 'Thank you', and take the blue ribbon. I think it is always appropriate to do the same after a performance: smile, say thank you so much and perhaps add, I'm so glad you were able to attend or I'm so glad you enjoyed the music. And then, maybe, please stay for the reception or Great. Now let's go get a drink! :-) So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:26 AM Subject: Being gracious as a performer. I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend.
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
I just had thought about it: We were playing baroque lute duets recently and I was thinking about the worst possible critic of the audience. I thought something like 3.nice looking instrumet(s), 2.the accoustic in this room is difficult or 1.one doesn't hear baroque lute duets very often would be the worst. but I also like that was a very ambitious program. Another good question are the possible excuses for a bad performance: my favorite was said by a player who didn't get through his piece and said: the tuning didn't hold - funnily the tuning seems to have been more stable in the first position and when playing a different (easier) piece. I personally would opt for earth magnetismn - this unexplored reason for mistakes which could happen. When moving a bit while playing several centers of earth magnetismn could apply to the sensible strings and immediatly change the pitch. In combination with certain subterranean water strands this could have desasterous effects on any performance. Best wishes Thomas Am Don, 2004-06-17 um 17.56 schrieb Candace Magner: So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:26 AM Subject: Being gracious as a performer. I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend. -- Thomas Schall Niederhofheimer Weg 3 D-65843 Sulzbach 06196/74519 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.lautenist.de / www.tslaute.de/weiss --
RE: Being gracious as a performer.
Usually, I am so relieved to have played through a piece without missing too many notes, that I simply say, 'I'm sure it goes something like that! I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend.
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? This question is particulary difficult for me, as I value heartfeltness and innate taste far above technique and formal training. But I guess everyone feels that way.
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
Herbert said: This question is particulary difficult for me, as I value heartfeltness and innate taste far above technique and formal training. But I guess everyone feels that way. Then a good thing to tell the performers would be I love how you put your heart and soul into playing the music! ever the optimist, Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 12:20 PM Subject: Re: Being gracious as a performer. So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much?
RE: Being gracious as a performer.
I think we should provide the audience with a copy of the music! I went into one festival, playing classical guitar, and the adjudicator said of my performance that was a wonderful piece of music you played, unfortunately it bore no resemblance to the copy you handed in to me earlier! best wishes Charles Browne -Original Message- From: Thomas Schall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: den 17 juni 2004 18:24 To: Candace Magner Cc: Lautenliste Subject: Re: Being gracious as a performer. I just had thought about it: We were playing baroque lute duets recently and I was thinking about the worst possible critic of the audience. I thought something like 3.nice looking instrumet(s), 2.the accoustic in this room is difficult or 1.one doesn't hear baroque lute duets very often would be the worst. but I also like that was a very ambitious program. Another good question are the possible excuses for a bad performance: my favorite was said by a player who didn't get through his piece and said: the tuning didn't hold - funnily the tuning seems to have been more stable in the first position and when playing a different (easier) piece. I personally would opt for earth magnetismn - this unexplored reason for mistakes which could happen. When moving a bit while playing several centers of earth magnetismn could apply to the sensible strings and immediatly change the pitch. In combination with certain subterranean water strands this could have desasterous effects on any performance. Best wishes Thomas Am Don, 2004-06-17 um 17.56 schrieb Candace Magner: So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:26 AM Subject: Being gracious as a performer. I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend. -- Thomas Schall Niederhofheimer Weg 3 D-65843 Sulzbach 06196/74519 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.lautenist.de / www.tslaute.de/weiss --
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
Candace Magner wrote: I think it is always appropriate to do the same after a performance: smile, say thank you so much and perhaps add, I'm so glad you were able to attend or I'm so glad you enjoyed the music. I agree, I always say Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyrd it! Thanks so much for coming! It turns the situation around from them expressing graditude, to you expressing it. People then feel a sincerity. (who was it that siad Sincerity? I can give you sincerity!) So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? There is always SOMETHING that you enjoyed! Great job! I especially enjoyed: the Dowland/your use of tone/how comfortable you look. Question: What is worse than singing out of tune? Answer: Singing out of tune with feeling! Brian
Re: Being gracious as a performer.
The reply: that was certainly an ambitious program ranks right up there with She has a great personality when one is describing a blind date they have arranged for you. Of course this means the blind date probably weighs 350 pounds, is missing both front teeth, has crossed eyes and is balding. Most players know when they have had a bad performance, you telling them something complimentary is not going to change that or make them feel better. On the other hand a good performance calls for you to speak your heart if the opportunity presents itself. On being gracious as a performer: I don't think making excuses for a bad performance is going to make it better, it was what it was. If it was not so bad as to make people get up and leave then at least don't remind them how bad it was. Thank them for staying and thinking enough of you to approach you after the program. If you make people feel that they are important to you then they will think kindly of you even if the music sucked. Remember these bad moments when you have a good performance and everybody is blown away. You know when you played well and the crowd will usually let you know with either applause that goes beyond courtesy or by seeking you out after the concert. Talk to them. Let them know that you enjoyed it too, one of those rare moments when the instrument, the audience, and the music all clicked together and that you are glad they were there to share it with you. There is nothing wrong with letting people know that you enjoy playing the Lute, and that you enjoyed playing it for them. Vance Wood. - Original Message - From: bill [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Candace Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:25 AM Subject: Re: Being gracious as a performer. words fail me... sure did hear you... boy, that was something!... of course in america you can say that was just so... and shake your head as if you've been rendered speechless by the performance. you can keep that up for quite a while: so...so...so...etc. (try for a six-er) - which is better, i suppose, than some vacant-minded hyperbole like awesome! wow! works. as for receiving compliments, mostly i've performed with others which helps and on those few occasions when i've busked solo i'm usually so relieved to have got through the piece that i generally applaud them. - bill On Giovedì, giu 17, 2004, at 17:56 Europe/Rome, Candace Magner wrote: Singers (what I usually do) are notorious for demurring too much: Oh, I wish that top Bb had been better, or I'm afraid I have a little bit of allergies. I try to remember what a horsemanship instructor told her star pupil, a shy 13-year-old. Just smile, say 'Thank you', and take the blue ribbon. I think it is always appropriate to do the same after a performance: smile, say thank you so much and perhaps add, I'm so glad you were able to attend or I'm so glad you enjoyed the music. And then, maybe, please stay for the reception or Great. Now let's go get a drink! :-) So here's a different question: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. Candace Dr. Candace A. Magner [EMAIL PROTECTED] homepage http://clik.to/candace - Original Message - From: Herbert Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:26 AM Subject: Being gracious as a performer. I still do not have a gracious way to respond when someone compliments a performance. Often I say, Well, it really takes a lot of work., but that often seems deadening to the listeners enthusiasm. Similarly, alluding to technical details (This piece sounds neat because of the unexpected minor 7ths.) often seems deadening. A plain Thanks is sincere, but seems a little curt and uninformative. Giving credit to the composer, of course, has merit, but often seems like false modesty, since Dalza and Arcadelt are just names to non-lutenists. With a larger audience, a bow seems to work well, but you can't bow to your brother's girl-friend.
Being gracious as a performer
The question has been asked: What do you say to the performers when you are obligated to talk to them afterward but you didn't really like the performance all that much? Sopranos are apt to say What a fabulous dress! Others might opt for that was a very ambitious program. If it is your obligation to speak to the performer you must realize that they also know they did not play that well. If you think it is your job to make them feel better let them know you appreciate them coming to play. Nothing you can say is going to make them feel as though farting in a bath tub sounded like the Bells of St. Mary's. If they come at you with excuses then you can address those issues. But, really, in cases like this the less said the better, and offering up empty compliments will do nothing but make you look condescending at patronizing. Vance Wood.
