What Makes a Performer a Performer? Is It Just Talent, Courage and Opportunity?

What makes a performer a performer? Is it just talent, courage and opportunity?

A performer spends the majority of his or her time in practice. Singers are required to spend one to two hours practicing a day. These practices involve certain warm up exercises to enhance better technique, which is then reflected through their performance. These techniques include, breathing exercises, which enhance the diaphragm, giving the performer greater support and breath control. Lifting of the upper palate and the placement of sound, the use of mask are all techniques used by vocalists. They help with pitch, resonance and warmth of voice and they also help to protect the voice from damaged. A performer needs to practice many aspects of vocal technique and concentration. All these techniques can have an impact on your performance however, there are many other factors which can also affect the outcome of a performance like the venue, the general health and wellbeing of the performer, the time of day the performance takes place and the emotions and body language conveyed through the performance.

A vocal performer not only needs a good voice, but so much more. They need technique, stamina, stage presence, and understanding of lyrics, languages, periods and genres. They need to be able to emote, to move with grace or stand with poise, or as pop-singers, to move like lions, fast and enthusiastically. Underpinning all of this a vocal singer needs courage to share their gifts and the humility to learn from their mistakes. a vocal performer will practice 1-2 hours every day, just to perfect their technique.