By Matt Smith

HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL

ENSEMBLE

In this presentation I will be looking at what makes a successful ensemble.

Firstly, the way you dress to the type of music that you will be playing, because if you were to wear a suite and a tie and be playing rock music it would look really weird because it would look like you are going to perform Jazz or classical music.

Secondly, what you are doing to the tempo of music, for example if you are jumping all over the stage dancing and it’s meant to be a slow song then this may put people off the song and think that the performance was bad when actually the band as a whole was doing really well they just need to act appropriate to the song they are performing.

Finally, where you are stood or sat, for example if you were doing a duet song and one of you is at the back while the other is at the front it would make the other singer look like a backup singer, when it is actually a joint eff ort.

INTRODUCTION.

The band members are very important, because if they aren’t suited or don’t like the type of music that you play then you may get into regular augments with them pulling the band apart.

The fi rst band member is normally a close friend or some one who is very good and is into the type of the music that you play, this would make the band members less likely to argue creating a better bond within the band and may also make the band develop a lot faster than other bands.

BAND MEMBERS

Choosing other band members can be easy if you are with the fi rst band member you and the other band member could sit down and interview the musician and also ask them to preform their skills on their instrument and then discuss with the other band member what you think of them, what you think they would bring to the band, and how good they were on their instrument.

It is important that all band members get on and all want to work together as a band to develop their skills both during rehearsals and on stage. If they all get on and have good relationships then they won’t be afraid to say their point of view, speak up to constructively say their opinions musically and be confident to bring ideas and even songs to the group.

BAND MEMBERS

A big part of being in a band is always being organised, because if your band wasn’t organised then they may not have practiced enough songs for the gig and that may lead not getting paid for the whole night. Also if you weren’t organised then you may forget the time when you need to be at the performance. This could lead to your band getting a bad reputation and also losing you and the band money because you won’t be paid if you don’t perform. Being organised is important because it makes your band successful by turning up on time, learning and practicing enough songs for the gig’s. in aff ect earning your band money and a good reputation.

ORGANISATION.

You don’t only need to be organised with the performance you also need to have chosen people that like the same sort of music as you and ones that you actually get along with. This will make it easier to get along with the members in your band.

Also you need to be aware of decisions made by other band members because it may be better for the whole band. Also being organised in planning rehearsals and turning up to the right gig at the right time so that you can get a good reputation.

Your set list is vital for putting on a good performance depending on what kind of vibe your wanting to give your audience by starting off with a slow song and ending with a fast song or start with a fast song and end with a slow song, or fast always through or slow all the way through the gig.

ORGANISATION.

Communication is key: band discussions (l istening skil ls + cooperation) musical interaction audience interaction

Communication is key to success in the music industry because without it the band wont be able to know when they are in t ime or out of t ime or when they are coming into the verse or chorus. Also it ’s always good to have good chemistry with in the band so that they are confi dant with each other and can also can preform confi dently and well as a whole band not just as an individual.

In this video you wil l see how Coldplay communicate with the audience and look up at each other to stay in t ime and keep them in t ime too. They communicate with the audience by saying thank you after every performance and all take a bow and give each other around of an ampoules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=C6m8i9McWKc

COMMUNICATION

Despite this working as an individual can also improve your skills, such as working on a song by your self to get the hang of it. However getting feedback off of other members within the band will also improve your skills more than if you were to do it on your own. Getting feedback form other band members is good because if you have good chemistry with them then they can tell you what’s good and what can be improved clearly and concordantly.

Many musicians like to think that they have reached their best that they will ever be, but this is not true there is always methods and techniques to improve you skills, no matter how hard you practice you will always need to improve something in many diff erent areas. This is also why it is to get feedback off of many diff erent people so that you can get the best kind of feed back.

COMMUNICATION

It’s best to practice as many songs that a lot of people enjoy and know so that their attention is drawn to towards your band also thinking of your audience so before picking your songs go the venue where you are thinking of preforming also listing to the other bands that come in and draw in the audiences attention and pick songs that are similar to them.

Also buskin is a good way to get your band out there because many people will hear you even if they don’t want to and some may even give you some money (spare change).

GETTING YOUR SELF OUT THERE

Also another way is to make many accounts on social networks, such as Facebook, twitter, instagram, snap chat and many more.

Many fans today use is the social network speaking to their friends and adding their favourite bands or artists, this is good because their other friends might listen to your music with them and enjoy it and then tell some of their friends and so on.

You may also get a sponsor on theses social networks by posting your performances on websites, such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. There is a possibility that you can get spotted by someone important or some one who can at least give your band the kick start.

GETTING YOUR SELF OUT THERE.

STAGE LAYOUT.

The stage layout is very important because you are trying to let everyone be seen by the audience and allowing the band members to be able to communicate on stage to be able to give a good performance.

Stage layout is important because if the drums were to be at the front then it would make it diffi cult to see the rest of the band, also if the lead singer was at the back with all of the back up singers then people will struggle to see who is the lead singer.

This video shows how Coldplay layout their stage with their band and how they can communicate aff ectively. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=C6m8i9McWKc

I think Rehearsals are one of the most important things about being in a band because if you were to go and preform a song, and no one in the band has rehearsed it then no one will know the chords, and everyone will be out of time this would make the gig a disaster.

Rehearsals are important because they make you improve you skil ls on your instrument, and it also makes you a better performer on and off stage. You need to rehearse because you need to be able to give people a good performance so that they can recommend you to other places so that you and your band will become well know for giving a good performance. This means you will then have to keep up to them standards and later better them.

This video shows how Coldplay are practising even knowing that some don’t ever have their instruments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1g6lnuUFNA&feature=player_detailpage

REHEARSALS.