Singing Into a Spotlight
Singing onstage while being blinded by a spotlight can be disconcerting if you're not used to it. I got a great question from a reader about it; with her permission I'll post her question and my answer here:
Hi, Judy,Comments, anyone?
My gigs are mostly small, in dimly-lit rooms where I can make eye contact with people. I recently had an experience performing in a theatre seating 600, in which I looked out into the black abyss with a blinding spotlight on me. Felt like I was standing in the road at midnight with a motorcycle coming at me. Suggestions? Thanks, Devora Gila
Labels: performance, singing live
8 Comments :
At May 22, 2009 at 10:30 PM ,
Robert Anderson said...
Judy, that's why it is important to during sound check , check where the lights are, and have them adjusted. If your gonna wear glasses, a blue or green tint knocks out the glare, pink, yellows and darks magnify the glare.
Also, when you sing with your eyes closed , watch your step i saw a couple of big Nashville cats fall off the stage...oopps
At May 23, 2009 at 10:14 AM ,
Bluesy said...
I didn't know where to leave this, but I just thought I'd wish you the most Happiest Birthday ever!! Hope it's a good one!!
At May 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM ,
Judy Rodman said...
Awee... thank you for the bd wishes... I'm already having a great day, and you added to it!
love, Judy
At May 24, 2009 at 11:11 AM ,
Bluesy said...
YOu're quite welcome!
At May 24, 2009 at 11:39 AM ,
Jason O'Toole said...
Great post Judy! Now I just have to work on getting the spots out of my eyes after the show.. that way I can actually see who I'm speaking to! Much love, be well..
At May 24, 2009 at 11:41 AM ,
Judy Rodman said...
You know, this is so true... you have to be careful where you're going and who you are bumping into right after your eyes leave the spotlight. It takes time to adjust to the difference in light. Cords can trip us up, we can run over people, we can fall in holes... oh the danger in our profession can be for real :< !
At May 28, 2009 at 1:09 AM ,
Anonymous said...
A most excellent explanation, Judy.
I would have never been ready to do the band "thang" in Germany if I hadn't had a lot of practice doing musical theater and opera when I was younger.
After a while, the lights became my friend, so to speak.
Then there are those times when there is a power failure and lights, mics, amps and P.A.'s all go out and you have to wing it...great memories!
At May 28, 2009 at 6:41 PM ,
Judy Rodman said...
Hi Gordy... yes indeed, sometimes the lights become too familiar. When I got off the road (doing the big venues) and did a little songwriter in-the-round, I could see those people way too well and it was a bit disconcerting for me! It's what you do regularly that triggers the "it's safe in here" response of the adrenals. The irregular scenerios are the ones that get the butterflies moving!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< RETURN