The opening words
Sometimes behind a singer there can be a person that no one knows anything about. They are there to support the singer to achieve their goals or to keep them in the career as long as possible. They make sure that the singer who has already had a long career does not distance himself /herself too much from the audience. They “sniff” the audience’s reactions, being unknown among them. Just to stay aware of their real reactions.
Thoughts on a broader scale
As a counterweight to the development of devices, machines and product innovations, music has brought a way of rest for the brain. But not completely. Coincidence led me a little further away from familiar music, to the Middle East.
For me, the journey to the world of Arab music in 2007-2008 was educational. When I didn’t understand the language, the words of the songs did not take away attention from the whole. When I learned to hear it, I also learned to find mistakes, even small ones. The music and rhythm of the performance, singing should create a harmonious whole, which is not disturbed by “disputing chords”. Before, I couldn’t even distinguish them from Western music.
It’s quite common for a few guys to start a band and at some point include a singer. The most common mistake comes from the fact that each player wants the sound of their own instrument to be heard best during the songs. Of course, everyone wants to be featured, but unfortunately it often results in a “mixed mess” behind which the singer’s voice is buried. Of course, there is no harm in that if there is a bad or insecure singer. Which, of course, also stays like that if they don’t get the right kind of support for their own performance.
For the singer, for better or for worse, the whole band, every member of it, has to lend their support. Both mentally and with their instruments. The melody and the related solo parts of the players are the places where the musician can also be featured well. But otherwise, the task of the band/orchestra is to raise the singer and his/her voice to the highest place, like a queen/king on a pedestal. And keeps him/her there for the whole song and the whole concert. The singer is the most important external image creator for the entire band, its front image. Therefore, his/her position must not be shaky, but a strong foundation must be created for it. Like a house on which everything stands, falters or collapses depending on the foundations.
A well-balanced performance is always about good cooperation between the band/orchestra director, singer, background singers and every member of the orchestra. Not to mention the background influences of personal life. They there in the background can support a lot or destroy even more. This happened e.g. For Whitney Houston, whose husband’s love was more focused on shared drug moments with the singer than supporting Houston’s career and mental resources. As Whitney herself said on Oprah’s show: “Bobby Brown had been emotionally abusive during their marriage.”
For talent hunters, singing ability and attractive appearance are important details. But they are not the only criteria for selection. In addition, positive energy, the impact of performing in front of an audience on the singer’s performance, and the singer’s character / ability to cooperate are also taken into account. They are also not looking for a singer who is like everyone else, but one who has some special characteristic. For example, in the voice. All of these together determine the decision.
Partnership with a talented singer should aim to advance the singer’s career. Get more media publicity, concerts and the possibility of a singer’s own single or even an album. Achieving all this does not come as a gift from heaven, but requires work from both.
11.11.2024
Reijo Lahdenperä
