Whether you are a pop or cabaret singer assembling a set for a local bar or club, a jazz or rock singer performing with a few instruments or a band, or a classical singer preparing for a recital, you may find yourself putting together a solo performance. Whatever genre you choose, sharing your music is a wonderful and rewarding way to grow. Today, I’m going to take you through the process of planning and developing a solo performance.
Choose Your Songs
To start the process of creating a solo performance, ask yourself: What do you want to sing? And even more to the point, who are you as a musician, and what do you want to say through your music? What makes you happy when you sing a particular piece of music? What music fits your personality? What music interests you? Take the time to ask yourself lots of questions, and jot down your ideas. Experiment with your repertoire. Research. Listen. Explore.
Does a story start to emerge as you discover where your musical passion lies? Does a theme begin to reveal itself? Think about these questions to help you choose a group of songs that will work well together. You may have several themes or threads you could follow. Make a decision, and settle on an idea for your solo performance.
Start with Six
For your first solo performance, I suggest that you choose six songs. Six songs usually make for a program of half an hour, once you include time to talk between the pieces. Remember to build contrast into your program. Put songs together that vary in tempo: for example, a fast, up-tempo piece followed by a slower ballad. Introduce songs that represent a contrast in emotions. Imagine that the audience is going on a journey with you, and take them through your process. Share the meaning behind your choices for your solo performance.
A half hour is a great way to start. With practice, you will be able to build the stamina to sustain this amount of singing and hold the audience’s attention.
Your First Performance
Once you have finished putting it together, you will want to perform your program several times. If you do, you will really enjoy yourself as you become more comfortable with the material.
If you are just starting out, and even if you have experience with solo performance, it’s a good idea to start small. Give yourself a safe and intimate venue to try out your performance before you present it to the larger public. I often have my students try out a program in my studio for several friends. By doing this, you can learn a lot about how the program flows: how it feels technically in your voice so that you can pace the program, how well your memory is working, and how comfortable you feel in front of an audience. These are all valuable pieces of information that you can use to adjust your practice and refine your solo performance.
When you are ready, you can start finding places in your community where you can perform. Try looking for opportunities at churches, senior centers, schools, themed events, family parties, or hospitals. If you plan and prepare, you will have a set ready to share with the public at your big solo performance!
