Comments on: poetry and performance: how to sing, or the fine art of reading poetry in front of an audience http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/ Mon, 03 May 2010 01:01:02 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: ravenswingpoetry http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10818 ravenswingpoetry Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:01:34 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10818 Thank you for the great post on this, January! I am actually reading at an open mic tonight and it was great to have an appropos reminder of what I already knew plus some new suggestions. This was very helpful. -Nicole Thank you for the great post on this, January! I am actually reading at an open mic tonight and it was great to have an appropos reminder of what I already knew plus some new suggestions. This was very helpful.

-Nicole

]]> By: Alan Summers http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10775 Alan Summers Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:18:37 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10775 Good article and good comments! Having video recordings or even audio recordings is vital to chart your progress and lose bad habits. Although I am a poet, both pagewise (published) and regularly perform or read my work, the two links I'm sharing focus on a project I did call "important words". I was pleased to know that the Sky Arts team; the One and Other Team, and the BBC camera crew, thought my hour up on the Fourth Plinth was one of the best for a long time. Video archive: http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Alan_S BBC interview (please wait about 40 seconds into the filming): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8176398.stm all my best, Alan http://area17.blogspot.com http://www.withwords.org.uk Good article and good comments!

Having video recordings or even audio recordings is vital to chart your progress and lose bad habits.

Although I am a poet, both pagewise (published) and regularly perform or read my work, the two links I’m sharing focus on a project I did call “important words”.

I was pleased to know that the Sky Arts team; the One and Other Team, and the BBC camera crew, thought my hour up on the Fourth Plinth was one of the best for a long time.

Video archive:
http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Alan_S

BBC interview (please wait about 40 seconds into the filming):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8176398.stm

all my best,

Alan
http://area17.blogspot.com
http://www.withwords.org.uk

]]> By: January Gill O\'Neil http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10765 January Gill O\'Neil Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:43:19 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10765 Great comments and advice, everyone. Jennifer--watching the UMs is something I probably should have mentioned. Dave--Absolutely, practice makes perfect. The offer you received sounds like a bonus! :) Ren--not on your life! Tiel--I guess we approach readings from different perpectives. I think people attend poetry readings to hear how the author interprets their work, so I think it's more about the person and performance than the actual work. But, of course, the poetry is why we all attend. Two sides of the same coin. Great comments and advice, everyone.

Jennifer–watching the UMs is something I probably should have mentioned.

Dave–Absolutely, practice makes perfect. The offer you received sounds like a bonus! :)

Ren–not on your life!

Tiel–I guess we approach readings from different perpectives. I think people attend poetry readings to hear how the author interprets their work, so I think it’s more about the person and performance than the actual work. But, of course, the poetry is why we all attend. Two sides of the same coin.

]]> By: Jennifer Jean http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10751 Jennifer Jean Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:46:16 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10751 great post! :) as a director of a reading series, i always appreciate potential readers having a previous performance accessible online (video better than audio)--as a reader myself, having my performances filmed in order to find even one clip to be proud of has taught me to be a better reader overall (and to watch all my "UMs" :) great post! :) as a director of a reading series, i always appreciate potential readers having a previous performance accessible online (video better than audio)–as a reader myself, having my performances filmed in order to find even one clip to be proud of has taught me to be a better reader overall (and to watch all my “UMs” :)

]]> By: renkat http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10700 renkat Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:52:44 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10700 oooo- which animals?? oooo- which animals??

]]> By: velveteenrabbi http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10690 velveteenrabbi Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:06:37 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10690 Wow, Dave. :-) Thanks for this terrific post, January. It's been a while since I've given a poetry reading, but your tips resonate with what I remember. Wow, Dave. :-)

Thanks for this terrific post, January. It’s been a while since I’ve given a poetry reading, but your tips resonate with what I remember.

]]> By: Dave Bonta http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10688 Dave Bonta Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:10:06 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10688 These are great tips, both in the comments and and in the post. I would urge anyone with an interest in this topic to joing the RWP <a href="http://readwritepoem.org/groups/poetry-and-performance" rel="nofollow">poetry and performance group</a>. Nothing beats practice. Once I decide on the optimal reading of a poem, I will use a pencil to make little marks above the words to show intonation and rests -- a kind of primitive musical notation system. I've never made animal noises, but I did break into actual song once. That was the only time I've ever gotten an offer of sex after the reading. :) These are great tips, both in the comments and and in the post. I would urge anyone with an interest in this topic to joing the RWP poetry and performance group.

Nothing beats practice. Once I decide on the optimal reading of a poem, I will use a pencil to make little marks above the words to show intonation and rests — a kind of primitive musical notation system. I’ve never made animal noises, but I did break into actual song once. That was the only time I’ve ever gotten an offer of sex after the reading. :)

]]> By: jessiecarty http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10684 jessiecarty Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:48:01 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10684 Terrific tips January :) I think sometimes I get obsessed about time and forget to relax. Terrific tips January :)
I think sometimes I get obsessed about time and forget to relax.

]]> By: Kristen McHenry http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10681 Kristen McHenry Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:03:42 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10681 Even with a background in theater and acting, I am more terrified to read my own work out loud than I ever was before going onstage to play a role. This is all awesome advice, January! "Break the ice. A short warm-up comment works wonders. It’s nice to follow the last reader with a comment that connects the readings. It also allows you to thank the host and the audience for giving you the opportunity to share your work." This would have been good advice for me to follow at my first "featured reader" slot a few months ago...I was so scared it was all I could do just to get through my (very rehearsed) poems! Next time, hopefully, I will feel more relaxed and make more space for this. Thanks for the great (and very practical) guide to reading outloud. Even with a background in theater and acting, I am more terrified to read my own work out loud than I ever was before going onstage to play a role. This is all awesome advice, January!

“Break the ice. A short warm-up comment works wonders. It’s nice to follow the last reader with a comment that connects the readings. It also allows you to thank the host and the audience for giving you the opportunity to share your work.”

This would have been good advice for me to follow at my first “featured reader” slot a few months ago…I was so scared it was all I could do just to get through my (very rehearsed) poems! Next time, hopefully, I will feel more relaxed and make more space for this.
Thanks for the great (and very practical) guide to reading outloud.

]]> By: Donna Vorreyer http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10678 Donna Vorreyer Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:47:34 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10678 I used to be terrified to read my work - but the more I do it, the more I enjoy it. I try to read as naturally as possible, and I try to rehearse, if not memorize. Although I am not a "performer' per se, I am acutely aware of reading qualities that I admire and abhor. I've been told I read well, and I take that as a compliment. Confidence comes with practice. And I too had an encounter with Gwendolyn Brooks! I was a finalist in an Open Mic competition named after her and she actually told me she enjoyed my poem. That was the best prize I could have received. I used to be terrified to read my work – but the more I do it, the more I enjoy it. I try to read as naturally as possible, and I try to rehearse, if not memorize. Although I am not a “performer’ per se, I am acutely aware of reading qualities that I admire and abhor. I’ve been told I read well, and I take that as a compliment. Confidence comes with practice.

And I too had an encounter with Gwendolyn Brooks! I was a finalist in an Open Mic competition named after her and she actually told me she enjoyed my poem. That was the best prize I could have received.

]]> By: Donna Vorreyer http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10677 Donna Vorreyer Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:43:14 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10677 Yes! At the reading series/open mic series that I frequent, the standing rule is "Read the f-ing poem!" which one of our more colorful attendees is happy to yell out if the introductions get out of hand. Let the poem speak for itself... Yes! At the reading series/open mic series that I frequent, the standing rule is “Read the f-ing poem!” which one of our more colorful attendees is happy to yell out if the introductions get out of hand. Let the poem speak for itself…

]]> By: carolee http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10676 carolee Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:33 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10676 i haven't heard gwendolyn brooks read, but i have had the pleasure of hearing both january and therese read! the only way to know how you're going to tackle reading in public is to try it. :) i've only been doing it since august, and i have a lot to learn. i wouldn't have known the specific lessons i need to work on if i hadn't given it a shot. so yes, practice and be conscious about all these important factors, but also get out there and do it. you'll figure out what you need to work on by trying it on and watching others. i haven’t heard gwendolyn brooks read, but i have had the pleasure of hearing both january and therese read!

the only way to know how you’re going to tackle reading in public is to try it. :) i’ve only been doing it since august, and i have a lot to learn. i wouldn’t have known the specific lessons i need to work on if i hadn’t given it a shot.

so yes, practice and be conscious about all these important factors, but also get out there and do it. you’ll figure out what you need to work on by trying it on and watching others.

]]> By: ren powell http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10674 ren powell Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:34:07 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10674 Wow. Therese, thanks for sharing that anecdote. It is one thing to strive to be a poet like Brooks and another to strive also to be as gracious a person. I am also not keen on introductions. I have a reading that is a live-feed project this weekend (four countries participating online from four venues, arranged by StAnza in Scotland). I appreciate the timing of the tips and reminders! All I would add is how important it is to watch the time. Many years ago I was visiting another city and reading in a timed slam and went overtime. Someone said to the judges, that is okay, she is a the best. At least that is what the judge repeated into the microphone. Then he was corrected and read even louder into the microphone- she was not the best - she was a *guest*. I could have been spared had I watched the time. :-) Wow. Therese, thanks for sharing that anecdote. It is one thing to strive to be a poet like Brooks and another to strive also to be as gracious a person.

I am also not keen on introductions.

I have a reading that is a live-feed project this weekend (four countries participating online from four venues, arranged by StAnza in Scotland). I appreciate the timing of the tips and reminders!

All I would add is how important it is to watch the time. Many years ago I was visiting another city and reading in a timed slam and went overtime. Someone said to the judges, that is okay, she is a the best. At least that is what the judge repeated into the microphone. Then he was corrected and read even louder into the microphone- she was not the best – she was a *guest*. I could have been spared had I watched the time. :-)

]]> By: intractability http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10673 intractability Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:04:56 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10673 Thanks very much, this was indeed a very topical and helpful article. I think the oral translation or delivery of a poem is very important. Really enjoyed this , thanks. Thanks very much, this was indeed a very topical and helpful article. I think the oral translation or delivery of a poem is very important. Really enjoyed this , thanks.

]]> By: Tiel Aisha Ansari http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10671 Tiel Aisha Ansari Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:52:06 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10671 Reading in public is invaluable experience for a poet (or writer of any kind, really). So is going to readings. Besides appreciating the poetry, when you're at a reading you should make some notes on the reader's technique. What really struck you? What didn't? If you're reading from a book, I would advise typing the poems (or printing them out, if you have the original files) and reading from loose sheets (you can put them on a clipboard or in a binder to keep them in order). You can waste a lot of time flipping through pages looking for the poem you meant to read, and book darts or sticky-flags only help so much. Also, you can print in a larger font than most books or chapbooks use. That's important, because you can't make effective eye contact with your audience while peering or squinting at a page! Check how the lighting in the venue is. Learn to project your voice. Read standing if you can, it's a lot easier to get voice volume that way. And my personal peeve: Don't overcomment. I went to a reading where the poet spent the first 5 min or so out of a 20-min segment telling their own life story instead of reading poems. I have to disagree with January here: it's <i>not</i> all about you: it should be all about the poetry. Some poems may need a little context, especially if they're excerpts or parts of a longer sequence, and that's fine, but try to keep it to the strictly necessary. Reading in public is invaluable experience for a poet (or writer of any kind, really). So is going to readings. Besides appreciating the poetry, when you’re at a reading you should make some notes on the reader’s technique. What really struck you? What didn’t?

If you’re reading from a book, I would advise typing the poems (or printing them out, if you have the original files) and reading from loose sheets (you can put them on a clipboard or in a binder to keep them in order). You can waste a lot of time flipping through pages looking for the poem you meant to read, and book darts or sticky-flags only help so much.

Also, you can print in a larger font than most books or chapbooks use. That’s important, because you can’t make effective eye contact with your audience while peering or squinting at a page! Check how the lighting in the venue is.

Learn to project your voice. Read standing if you can, it’s a lot easier to get voice volume that way.

And my personal peeve: Don’t overcomment. I went to a reading where the poet spent the first 5 min or so out of a 20-min segment telling their own life story instead of reading poems. I have to disagree with January here: it’s not all about you: it should be all about the poetry. Some poems may need a little context, especially if they’re excerpts or parts of a longer sequence, and that’s fine, but try to keep it to the strictly necessary.

]]> By: Cynthia Short http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10670 Cynthia Short Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:34:39 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10670 Online at poets.org you can find audio recordings of Gwendolyn Brooks describing and then reading her poem "We Real Cool" and one other piece. Wonderful! Online at poets.org you can find audio recordings of Gwendolyn Brooks describing and then reading her poem “We Real Cool” and one other piece. Wonderful!

]]> By: Therese L. Broderick http://readwritepoem.org/blog/2009/11/10/poetry-and-performance-how-to-sing-or-the-fine-art-of-reading-poetry-in-front-of-an-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-10669 Therese L. Broderick Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:41:57 +0000 http://readwritepoem.org/?p=7616#comment-10669 Thank you for these great tips, January! I will use them the next time I read to an audience. Here's another tip that relates to all of your tips: know how to use the microphone. Even the most skillful readers will annoy their audience if they stand too far away from the mic, or turn their head left and right as they speak, or rustle pages into the mic. . Thanks so much for honoring Gwendolyn Brooks. I agree with you that her voice was awesome. I heard her in person at age 77 -- still booming, intense, rhythmic, inspiring. I sent her a letter of admiration. She took the time to send me a handwritten note (inside a lavender envelope) in quite exuberant penmanship. Here's what she wrote: "Hi! Thank you, indeed, for your exquisite and gratifying note! I sincerely appreciate it. Gratefully, Gwen Brooks." Needless to say, I've saved the note these many years. A great, famous poet who took the time to acknowledge an unknown fan. Thank you for these great tips, January! I will use them the next time I read to an audience. Here’s another tip that relates to all of your tips: know how to use the microphone. Even the most skillful readers will annoy their audience if they stand too far away from the mic, or turn their head left and right as they speak, or rustle pages into the mic.
.
Thanks so much for honoring Gwendolyn Brooks. I agree with you that her voice was awesome. I heard her in person at age 77 — still booming, intense, rhythmic, inspiring. I sent her a letter of admiration. She took the time to send me a handwritten note (inside a lavender envelope) in quite exuberant penmanship. Here’s what she wrote: “Hi! Thank you, indeed, for your exquisite and gratifying note! I sincerely appreciate it. Gratefully, Gwen Brooks.” Needless to say, I’ve saved the note these many years. A great, famous poet who took the time to acknowledge an unknown fan.

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