What we’re about
This community is designed for singers and music composers, of all genres, instruments, and skill levels; to expand and deepen their appreciation for the craft of creating music.
This space connects us with like-minded creators and uses this artistic medium, as a powerful force for healing, self-expression, connection, and social transformation.
This group also aims to build a safe, information-rich, environment to improve our musical skills while experiencing community.
We welcome people from all walks of life and celebrate diversity in thought, expression, and form.
We also encourage you to show respect and appreciation for the diversity that contributes to our collective creativity. Specifically, by offering a fair degree of tolerance toward other members related to their artistic choices.
Please note: This is not a direct platform for political and social views unless expressed directly through the medium of music.
Group Format: This group will be held twice a month. With a mix of online meetups and local venues. One group in the month will focus on improving singing ability and vocal performance. The other group will focus on music composition and creativity. We will most likely begin by doing announcements and introductions, followed by instructional videos, discussions, and group exercises (Open to fun suggestions and ideas here :). Once people sign up, we will then segue into the Singer In The Spotlight segment (See Below). Then we will end with the accountability piece, by sharing what we are going to specifically focus on improving in the coming weeks, as well as, discuss what did and did not work with our previous intentions.
(Please note you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable.)
For approximately 30 minutes (length depends on participation for that week) we will do a Singer In The Spotlight Segment.
If you wish to perform your song please let me know in advance so you can be introduced and put on the lineup.
The purpose of this portion of the group is fivefold.
1.) To allow artists to perform in front of a live audience.
2.) Receive helpful facilitated feedback in real-time. (See audience framework below).
3.) Help artists reverse engineer the craft of singing and songwriting so they can improve quickly.
4.) To learn and gain support as a group. (See Singer/Songwriter Stipulations below.)
5.) Fun!!!!
Singer-songwriter Stipulations
*You do not have to be good. This is about learning and getting better. We welcome performers of all skill levels.
You can perform any song you would like so long as you can explain to the group how you had to improve in 2 areas to perform the song, or how/why you used this particular song, to practice in these two areas. If you do happen to do a cover please give credit to the source. You are also welcome to perform something you have written if you feel comfortable.
The two areas of improvement are 1. Technical and 2. Artistic.
Explain how you used the song as a singer/songwriter, or musician to improve on a specific technical skill.
For example: To improve pitch, not losing breath, moving between chords faster, increasing range, etc.
Explain to the group how you used this song to improve or practice something new as an artist.
For example: Creating a cohesive visual aesthetic with a song, demonstrating more emotion while performing, how you gathered inspiration for the song, a character the song is related to. Perhaps you wrote in an unfamiliar genre.
This is very subjective and open to interpretation. Please be creative as you like.
Audience feedback framework
When we are performing in front of a group of strangers we want to make sure the feedback we receive is both constructive and nurtures our development as artists instead of tearing it down.
This framework is based on the value real-time feedback provides in creating the experience of Flow
Because we are all actively working on our craft it can take bravery to try something new and to go beyond our comfort zones that is why having a framework can be helpful.
As audience members, let's focus on being receptive and supportive. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
-Let's give the artist not only our full attention but let's also be mindful of our face while they are performing. Wear a friendly face.
-Let's try our best to periodically look into the actual camera. This gives the impression of delivering a performance to a live audience and is good practice for the performer.
-If for whatever reason you are unable to give your full attention to a performance that's totally fine BTW :-) just turn your camera off.
Everyone during the performance please keep your microphone off except for whoever is performing.
You are not required to give feedback but if you decide to give feedback, it must be delivered in this 3 part format.
1.) First, say something that you appreciated about their performance or the song.
2.) Then you can diplomatically give a helpful critique. Please keep it brief and respectful.
3.) Follow it up with something else you appreciated about them or the performance.
Think of it like a sandwich 🥪. The diplomatic critique is in the middle of two statements of praise and appreciation.
The goal is to provide helpful and honest feedback for the artist while also maintaining and creating a safe space for creativity and growth.
