There’s a great line in one of the Clint Eastwood “Dirty Harry” movies where he says “a man’s got to know his limitations.” That’s certainly true of musicians, and yes, vocalists, we’re included. It’s important to have a feel and an understanding of what you can or can’t do during a particular performance. Visualize success, but recognize when you simply don’t have your “A” game ready to go.
Singers should know when they feel off. Your voice is affected by all sorts of variables, including rest, warming up, humidity, allergies, and a laundry list not worth mentioning. It’s a smart investment for all singers to rehearse alternate notes and melody lines if they are struggling to hit what they wrote or recorded. Even the best don’t hit the hard stuff every night, and I’m including even the millionaires with the auto-tuners at every show.
I can recount two very tough shows of my own during my career with Division. First was a performance at the now-defunct “The Hot Spot” just outside of Baltimore, MD. I was sick as a dog, and I knew most of my high register was toast. I attempted a few of the harder lines on the set list, but I realized quickly that I wasn’t going to hit those notes with any tonality or projection, so once we hit the stage, I dropped down to songs that were still in key, still fit the harmonies, and didn’t jeopardize the impact of the song. The most notable was our cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper.” Thankfully, that crowd filled in Bruce Dickinson’s melody line and I could take the harmony in the chorus.
The second was the last night of our epic, ill-fated “True North Sojourn.” This was the Division 3000 miles in four night trip. We drove from D.C. to Chicago for an in-store appearance at Metal Haven, then on to a Friday night gig at the Minnesota Metal Fest in Wisconsin. By the time we arrived in East Lansing Michigan on Saturday night, I could barely whisper. The guys dropped me off at our super-cheap motel and I had a quick nap and a hot shower (steam helps!) before reporting for duty at Oade’s Hidden Camel, which I think is also now abandoned. I compensated and sang a 45 minute set, finishing with Metallica’s “Damage Inc.” as the closer. I can’t believe I sang anything that show, but we performed well, and some of the off-stage antics have become stories we’ll tell our grandchildren.
There are still individual notes and lines in every show where I play it safe. I thought for a while I was the only one, until I recently went back and watched Queen’s legendary performance at Live Aid, in Wembley Stadium, 1985. Vocalist Freddie Mercury (possibly the best rock frontman in history) absolutely owns every second of his time on stage, but guess what. He goes for safe notes in almost every song. Check out “Hammer to Fall” if you don’t believe me.
Give you fans what they want, and always give your best when you have it. When you don’t, don’t cheat them out of a great experience because you’re too proud or too ignorant. Know your limitations. Know your instrument.
One Love,
nK
Love Music. Love Health. Love Life.
(Originally posted on www.division-usa.com Jan 2011)