Music Video Lesson: Tips for Improving Stage Presence - Talk to Your Audience

Hi, and welcome to VirtualSheetMusic.com and LivingPianos.com. I'm Robert Estrin with the final, last tip for your stage presence, how to improve your stage presence. We've covered quite a bit here. Of course, not to feel rushed, so your audience can get settled in. Making eye contact with your audience is very important. You feel that connection.

Never show your mistakes. As much as you might want to indicate to some of the skint musicians that you know something didn't go to your liking, you're doing a disservice to the vast majority of your audience, who are there to enjoy themselves, not to feel uncomfortable for you. And of course, taking time between your bows. That was also important, so you have a chance to thank your audience, and they can enjoy seeing you thanking them and feel the connection, once again, with that visual.

What else could there possibly be? Well, this is one that you might not expect, and I want you to try it no matter what kind of musician you are, particularly if you're a classical musician, where it's not generally done, which is, don't be afraid to talk to your audience. That's right! Now where did I learn this? Growing up, my father Martin Estrin performed in all the finest concert halls in New York, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Washington DC, St. Louis, all around the country, in Europe. One of his trademarks was that he would almost always, at some point in the program, certainly in the encore section, talk to the audience.

My gosh, the connection that makes, the beauty of making it more informal and getting to know the performer, is such an enriching experience, certainly if you're playing restaurants, or any kind of situation where there is a more of a relaxed, informal club-type setting. It's imperative that you make the connection by talking. Not talking too much, mind you. It's got to be mostly about the music. But when you talk to the audience and you share in a genuine way, it's thrilling for them, particularly in a classical concert. I challenge you to try this in one of your performances. Speak up with your stage voice support, so they can hear you in the last row, and they'll be thrilled.

If you're not comfortable doing this, at least try it if you're playing in the encores. Announce your encore pieces, and announce them so everyone can hear. They'll be happy to know what it is you're playing. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to concerts and the artist never tells you, never talks at all. They play encores, and maybe they mumble something, but you don't really hear it. Or they don't say anything at all, so everyone in the audience is whispering to each other, "Is that Debussy? What?" Everyone's kind of frustrated with it. Communication! That's what music is. There's nothing wrong with talking a little bit in any concert, even a classical concert.

I hope these five tips have been helpful for you. If you missed any, go back and check them out. Thanks for joining me, Robert Estrin, here at VirtualSheetMusic.com and LivingPianos.com.

Automatic video-to-text transcription by DaDaScribe.com

Thank you for your comment, question or request!

Comment/Question deleted successfully.

Post a comment, question or special request:

Comments or questions must be between 3 and 10,000 characters long.

You may: Login  or  

Otherwise, fill out the form below to post your comment:

Add your name below:


Add your email below: (to receive replies, will not be displayed or shared)


For verification purposes, please enter the word MUSIC in the field below

---