How to Achieve an Artistic Performance in this song?
- Your Role in performing this song is… The Actor - and in this case, you are "The Preacher Man"
| Scenario: | You are up front, delivering your inspired message to the congregation. "Can I hear an amen!" |
Use the Director as the Focal Point…
You are in Actor Mode: Make the director the person to whom you are expressing/preaching.
- Identify the emotions, visualizations, and physical movement that is being referenced in this song,
- Use your "expressers" to create the below referenced experiences and reactions in the audience.
| Emotion: | Joy |
| Delivery: | Spirited and energetic |
| Spirit: | Inspirational, revival-like |
| Visual: | Get the audience to visualize you as the preacher, and themselves as the congregation. |
| Physical: | Become larger than life - preacher like. |
Performance Eyes…
Directed to a Small Group - Your congregation - Eyes are Medium Focus, and Medium Breadth.
Medium focus is needed to sell your message.
During The Jazz Harmony Sections of the Song
Shift the role from Preacher man to Jazz musician.
The emphasis in these sections is the music rather than the lyrics.
Express the fun and enjoyment you experience when singing jazz chords and swing music - it's so cool! Reflect the harmonies and syncopated rhythms in your voice, face, and gestures (be subtle with the gestures)
Side note… Spiritual and Jazz styles of music have common roots.
The Challenge of this Piece…
To not allow the energy of the piece to interfere with the quality of your vocal production, and to dis-joint the vocal ensemble.
Character…
If it helps you get into the spirit of this song, sing the song like Jimmy Durante would sing it. With personality, spirit, and lovin' those jazz chords.
