[Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

Sun May 17 02:00:21 UTC 2015

My music teacher is blind and sits in a chair behind his students 
in the Glee Club.  I think he does this because he wants the 
atention on the kids, not himself.  He accompanies us with his 
guitar, too.  But like Rob said, just do anything you're 
comfortable with.  I do not have much experience singing in front 
of people, mainly I play piano, but even then, I'll lean into the 
keys or face the audience at a part of the song I wish my face to 
be seen in, if that makes sense.

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
To: "Performing Arts Division list" <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sat, 16 May 2015 18:30:21 -0700
Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

All of the advice this last person gave is very good as well.  
Unfortunately,
most sighted vocal and opera coaches don't know and are afraid to 
even work
with blind people.  So, being yourself is a very good idea.  If 
you can fell
the music, you will know and figure out what to do.  Just don't 
try to do
something if you are not comfortable with it.  The more 
comfortable you are,
the better off you will be.

Rob Kaiser
email;
rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 6:20 PM
To: Performing Arts Division list
Cc: Julie McGinnity
Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

Hi Masha,

This sounds really exciting!  I am going to write a bit about 
what
I've learned over the years about gesturing, movement, and 
physical
appearance as a blind singer.  I have been performing since I was
about 11 years old in musicals, operas, in choirs, and as a 
soloist
both at my church and as a part of my degree programs.  I got an
undergraduate degree in vocal performance and am now working on 
my
masters in the same.  None of this is to brag...  But so that you
understand that I have been pondering and living with this topic 
for a
long time.  I have heard lots of bad advice, have worked with 
teachers
who have no idea how to get a blind person moving on stage, and 
have
been through periods of time during which I was tricked into 
believing
different things about my capabilities in terms of moving on 
stage.

1.  You have the same expectations as the other singers.

This means that even if you don't move as much as they do, you 
need to
look comfortable in your own skin, mean the movements you choose 
to
do, and internalize the music.  If you are graded on physical
appearance and movement, then find what works for you and what 
looks
natural on you.  No less will be (or should be) expected of you
because you are blind.  If you choose to get a good repor going 
with
the band, then that is a great place to start.  And that leads me 
to:

2.  You are your own unique person; do not try to be anything 
else.

I once had a coach who would try to get me to make certain facial
expressions.  She would attempt to force me into schooling my 
face
into certain configurations so that it looked "normal."  Now let 
me
tell you that I do not have an abnormal looking face, but my
expressions are rather unique.  Most tell mme that this is good
because I have a noticeable smile and very expressive faces.  :)  
My
point is that you should love being the unique person you are.  
Feel
natural in your own skin.  If the music moves you, and your face 
shows
that, then it will come through to the audience.

So here are some things you can do to work on learning what feels
natural and how to work those things in your performances.  Since 
we
cannot simply watch videos of other performers or look in the 
mirror,
we need to feel these things from the inside.  What kinds of 
gestures
and expressions do you use in your everyday life?  Begin to focus 
on
those things.  You can also get some honest friends (Be sure they 
are
honest).  They can tell you what their perception of you is from 
a
visual perspective.  Remember to take all opinions with a grain 
of
salt.  Never ever do a gesture that feels uncomfortable or 
forced.
That is the best way to look awkward.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me off list.  
I am
still learning about these things, but the more we discuss this 
the
more we can learn from each other.

On 5/16/15, Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> 
wrote:
 I, when I'm singing in a choir, I make sure that the person next 
to me
 makes

 sure I'm facing the conductor.

 Rob Kaiser
 email;
 rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
 -----Original Message-----
 From: Marissa Tejeda via Perform-talk
 Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:31 PM
 To: Performing Arts Division list
 Cc: Marissa Tejeda
 Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

 Hi,

 I go to the California School for the Blind.  When I sing in 
Glee
 Club, and on stage, as I did on Wednesday and Thursday in a
 Spring concert, I stand straight with my hands at my sides.  I
 face the audience and sing.  Occationally, I may sway slightly,
 if I'm feeling the music.

 ----- Original Message -----
 From: Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
 <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
 To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
 Date sent: Sat, 16 May 2015 18:54:17 -0400
 Subject: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

 Here in New England there's a weekly show, Community Auditions,
 which is
 a televised singing competition.  The contestants are usually
 accompanied
 by a band while they sing.  After each performance, three judges
 give the
 contestant feedback, along with a rating from 1 to 10.

 Since I'd like to audition for the show, I've been paying
 particular
 attention to the judges' comments.  A lot of them have to do 
with
 how the
 contestants come across visually.  Besides their vocal 
technique,
 contestants are praised or criticized on their enthusiasm, how
 they
 move, and how they interact with the band.

 As a totally blind person, I was constantly warned to be careful
 of
 untoward movements.  I'd like to know from blind singers: How 
did
 you
 learn to look, and feel, comfortable with your body onstage? How
 do you
 stand in a position that looks natural? What do you do with your
 hands
 (if you're not playing an instrument)? How do you build movement
 into
 your performance? (In high school I wwas criticized for not
 incorporating hand gestures into a song.) And how do you 
interact
 with a
 band while performing? (I'm presuming that the only way would be
 to
 rehearse with them, and establish rapport, beforehand, so that
 hopefully
 that rapport will be apparent to the audience.)

 I think there was a panel at the national convention about this
 topic
 last year, but I was unable to attend the convention.  Is there 
a
 recording of it somewhere?

 Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- I'd really like to 
try
 out
 for this show!

 Thanks,

 Masha

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--
Julie McGinnity
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice 
president,
National Federation of the Blind performing arts division 
secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President
graduate, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor.  7

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