This week I would like to expand on something I had said last week in “Wait for it...”:
“Sometimes one of the most musical things you can do is to not play anything. Then, when you do, it is something special.”
While last week I was referring mostly to solo instruments in an ensemble, this really applies to everyone in the group. Think about it: if we started every song with “1, 2, 3, 4” and everyone came in on the downbeat every time and played all the way to the end with no one ever dropping out, that would begin to lose it’s impact after the 2nd song! That’s not music. That’s everyone playing what they want until the song is over. There are no highs and lows. No contrast. Just a wall of sound from beginning to end. Instead, we need to listen and play our music in such a way that it starts to become an arrangement.
It could be as easy as telling the bass and drums not to play the intro and first verse. Instead, the bass could come in later, on the refrain. The drums could then start with some cymbal swells, light tapping on the cymbals, maybe a soft kick drum. At the next section of the song the drums would come in full, along with maybe a clean electric guitar. It depends on the song, but the possibilities are ENDLESS!!! You only have to make them happen and, honestly, it’s a lot more fun to play this way...for everyone. It’s musical, and that is always engaging.
Singers...the same goes for you (myself included). We need to stop having everyone in the group sing every note and every lyric from beginning to end...into the mic. Just like it’s important, for the sake of musicality, to vary the texture of the instruments, it is equally important to vary the texture of the voices. They are, after all, another instrument. Yes, sing all of the time, just not directly into your microphone until the song calls for it. Imagine if, during a violin concerto, some of the other violinists in the orchestra decided to play the solo part! Or, if during a (insert your favorite pop start here) concert, some of the backing singers decided to sing along on his/her verse! I know this situation is somewhat different; we’re not promoting/featuring a single person or artist...but we’re still talking about music! While the cantor/soloist leads their part, sing along with the assembly off the mic. When it’s time for group vocals or harmonies, lean back into the microphone and add to the sound!
Just think of an orchestra. Everyone doesn’t play all of the time. Some players have to rest for what seems like forever. But, when their part comes in...awesome. Remember that you are part of a group. Everything you do matters...even not playing or singing.
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