“What separates the good artist from the exceptional artist is the study of their craft.” – dimitrireyespoet.com
When I think of all of the readings I’ve done I tend to recall what went good and what could’ve been better. The way I became a good performer was by studying my mistakes. Just like an athlete watches their own games, I watch my own readings after they’re filmed so I could see what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong. Even with my more polished performances, I still could have done things better and I am aware of that every time I’m in front of people.
So far I’ve come up with 10 Different Mistakes You Can Make While You’re Performing. I’ll also note that my video for this one is so funny! Give it a view!
1. Projection
When reading in front of people, you have to be aware of whether or not they’ll be able to hear. This is a moment where you need to use your judgement to strike the perfect balance in your voice level. If there is no mic, you’ll have to be conscious of the room. If there’s a mic but the room is small, there’s no need to yell into it. If there is a mic and a suitably sized crowd (15-30+) and you’re as quiet as a church mouse, your voice won’t travel with or without the microphone.
If you can, you should always try getting to your venue early. It helps you survey the space, get comfortable, and offers the opportunity to practice a piece before people get there. This will help you feel more secure about reading in that space.
When speaking into the mic, the rule of thumb is to keep your mouth 4-6 inches between you and the mic. If it’s 2-3 inches away you may sound muffled, and the microphone may pick up lip smacking and breathing. If it’s 8-10 inches away, unless you are reading very loudly, some of what the speakers will pick up will be lost and can cause an echo. Of course, these vocal variations can be implemented during performances as well in order to have the audience listen closer.
2. Be Clear
It’s not only having the right volume, but speaking clearly so everyone can hear what you’re saying is equally important. If you have 3 minutes on stage, don’t try to fit in a 5 minute poem by reading it quickly. It will feel rushed and if you give off the impression that you are trying to get off stage, it’ll give the audience the further impression that you aren’t taking the time seriously. If so, they’ll check out or if they’re giving you the upmost respect (they usually do) they’ll be aware that the impact could’ve meant more if the poem was slowed down as intended.
Conversely, if your poem is 3 minutes and have 5 minutes total, it isn’t necessary to try to fill in the other 2 minutes with more work. You can always eat the clock by allowing your poem to be as slow as you please. Pause for several seconds after an important line, give some background about the poem or even a funny story. It’ll help your audience connect with you more and 9 times out of 10, an audience member will come up to you after the performance because they connected with the story somehow. Lastly, if you finish your poem and there’s an extra 1 minute 45 seconds left, that’s fine too! You can finish early! Chances are another poet would’ve gone over their time so it all evens out.
3. Tonal variety
Whether excitable or low-key, the definition of monotone in Marriam-Webster is succession of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch. A helpful tip to give your reading some pizzaz comes by the way of vocal variation. Having parts of your poetry where you raise your voice and other parts where your voice is quieter helps keep your audience engaged. This also includes the speed in which you’re speaking. You can slow it down or speed it up depending on the tension you’re creating in the poem, just make sure that you are paying attention to tips number 1 and 2.
4. Microphone Problems/ Technology Errors
When you’re on stage adjust your mic everyone is a different height. If it’s too low, you will appear as if you’re awkwardly hunching over and swallowing the microphone stand.
If you are reading from a phone/tablet change your screen settings to always on because if your screen shuts off after several seconds of being unused, it can turn off in the middle of your reading and disrupt the flow— for yourself and your audience. If this ever does happen, learn to improv in between your electronic device shutting down and you finding the poem again. Again, humor works. In these situations, people usually address the fact that they’re making a silly error and it goes over well.
Additional tip: Using an electronic device? Make sure you’re already connected to the wifi so your signal doesn’t drop. Make sure the poem fully loads, and as another precaution, screenshot the poem and save it in your photos just in case you need to rely on a static image.
5. Paper Shakers
Nervous reader? Be mindful of the paper you’re holding because if you’re nervous, shaking is a dead giveaway. A quick fix is holding a stack of papers, notebook, folder, or clipboard to help absorb the vibrations. Only have a single paper? Rest your hands and paper on the podium if there is one available or hold your paper in one hand so your other hand is free to gesticulate. That’s my favorite because I’m always nervous on stage. Implementing all of these tips including walking around is the way I channel my nervous energy.
6. Be Mindful of Time
With my experience, I’ve performed in open mics that were 3-5 minutes and have been featured for times ranging from 8, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes. Be careful not to go over your time. Do your best to not go over your time because in turn, you’ll be cutting into someone else’s time, whether those are others featuring with you or the open mic participants. Keeping to your time helps you build your reputation in that venue and others and it’s a good way to get more opportunities.
7. Know Your Audience
Misreading your audience can be one of the most embarrassing mistakes. For instance, if you were planning on reading from your manuscript about that steamy summer hopping from poetry club to poetry club where you fell in love with a writer that had a strong amouration of dark wines and darker liquors, you might want to rethink bringing that to your 11am Saturday reading at the library with the elementary schoolers.
8. Be Confident
Make us buy what you’re selling. If this is your first time ever reading this poem, SELL IT! (But work your charm and tell us it’s your first time reading, audiences will be compelled to give you encouragement!)
Reading out loud is important and there is something special about reading a new poem. When I perform something new, there are these unique ‘aha’ moments where the audience and I connect, or they really like something I thought was a bridge to my next point. These notes are crucial when you decide to revise your work again.
9. Find Your Speed
Like I mentioned earlier, make sure you’re pacing yourself. Don’t go too slow or fast because that’ll influence your articulation and clarity. You also run the risk of allowing your audience to rest and reflect on important lines if you speed too quickly through them.
10. Always Edit
The same way you edit on the page is the same way you have to edit your performance. As mentioned in the beginning of this blog, every opportunity given to you should be an opportunity to observe where you can grow. What separates the good artist from the exceptional artist is the study of their craft.
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