Worship Musician February 2020

PERCUSSION YES, LOOKS COUNT: THE VISUAL ELEMENTS | Mark Shelton Music has been referred to as an “invisible good idea to hold the smaller hand percussion was driven home when a television production art.” It's an accurate assessment when music instruments high enough so that their sound team took a screen-grab of me playing a is presented in its purest state, but when will project in an un-amplified setting, but the single triangle note—with my shoulders oddly musicians are in view (whether a live event or visual element is also important. Many folks are hunched and a way-too-serious look on my on a screen), the visual components of the interested in seeing the triangle, tambourine, face. The crew proceeded to project the image performance become a factor in how the music and finger cymbals when those instruments onto the big screens during a rehearsal. It was is perceived by an audience member. When enter the musical texture. People may be all in good fun, but it certainly reminded me people view a musical performance, they hear distracted and frustrated when they cannot to display a more pleasant countenance and with their ears and their eyes. The combination clearly view the instrument that is producing relax my upper torso the next time I struck that of visual elements with the aural component that captivating sound. solitary ding. in a live setting or through visual media. SCULPT YOUR SET-UP THE WORDS OF YOUR WARDROBE THE POWER OF GESTURES After you assemble your well-structured and Like it or not, your clothes talk. What message ergonomic percussion set-up, take a moment are Have you ever observed a concert pianist to have a look from the audience’s perspective Carelessness toward your apparel can cause a finish an ascending run with a graceful lift of and make the necessary tweaks to enhance distraction to a worshipper. If your team has a her hand that continued to momentarily rise as the aesthetic elements. Raising a cymbal dress code, abide by it. If there are no formally the sound fades? That brief gesture had little stand an inch or tilting a rack of woodblocks stated rules, ask a leader for suggestions on or no influence on the actual tone or sustain, forward a dab probably will not encumber your appropriate attire. but the brief motion helped to convey the technique, but it might be the change that musical intent of the player to the audience. brings the percussive optics into the full view of All of these visual elements fall under the Never underestimate the power of gesture as a curious congregant. heading of “stage presence” (or “platform applies to worship music when it is presented a means of expression. Percussionists have easy access to this potent tool due to the you sending to the congregation? presence” in church parlance). As worship WHAT IS YOUR BODY SAYING? percussionists, larger physical movements required to play our duties include both worshipping God and leading others in worship. many of our instruments. Study the gestures Body language is a real thing! Humans If we agree that the visual elements have the used by great performers and notice how their communicate information such as thoughts, potential to either enhance or detract from the movements enhance their playing. attitudes, and emotions through posture, sonic elements, then attention to the optics is stance, and facial expressions. While you would certainly warranted. Stay aware of the visual a refrain from telling people during the worship elements' ability to both complement your performance comes easier to some than set how tired you are of a song, your body playing and assist in connecting your music to to others. It can (and should) be practiced language might be shouting that sentiment to the worshippers. right along with the aural component so that everyone watching you. Percussionists often gestures become a natural extension of your have a fair amount of “downtime” during a playing. Capture and evaluate video of your piece of music and it can be easy to disengage practice sessions as you allow yourself to use a bit while waiting for your next entrance. (Yeah, expressive movement. You might discover that I'm guilty.) Don't allow your body to reflect your it doesn't come across as affected as it might momentary mental journey to Alpha Centauri. Incorporating musical gestures into feel. The body can also transmit unintentional false HOLD IT HIGH information. Your mind may be saying one thing, but your facial expression or posture may From a purely sonic perspective, it's usually a convey something entirely different. This point February 2020 © 2020 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship Mark Shelton A freelance musician and educational consultant based in Dallas/Fort Worth. Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Singers & Band, Gateway Worship, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony. www.marksheltonmusic.com percussionforworship.blogspot.com Subscribe for Free... 163

Worship Musician February 2020 | Page 163