| Originally published: June 9, 2020 |
Can Introverts Be Entertainers?
Yes! There’s no need to feel like an imposter just because you are a singer who happens to be an introvert. Vocal coach and proud introvert Mark Baxter has performed over 3,000 gigs as a lead singer; he knows that introversion is actually more common than you might think in entertainers.
As an introvert, you will need to approach performance a little differently than the extroverts out there. Mark suggests that you script all or part of your in-between song “patter,” approaching these spoken interactions with the same planning and intention as your songs. Another trick for introverted performers is to consider yourself to be the caring host of a party when you are on stage. You may not be the wild and crazy person in the centre at a party, but when you are on stage, you’ll feel more at ease by simply thinking of yourself as host to your “guests.”
During this time of isolation, all the introverts out there may be finding life more tolerable than the extroverts! You see, introverts charge their batteries by being alone, whereas extroverts charge up by being with other people. But that’s not all. Mark explains that introverts have an inflated sense of self importance. Ouch? Well, it makes sense, when you think about it.
Mark suggests that introverted singers should do a little homework: strike up a low-risk conversation with the cashier while at the grocery store checkout or similar. See if you can engage the person serving you. Talk about yourself, the weather, the news… and see if they’ll listen. This is amazing practice for engaging an audience while on stage, and you don’t have to worry about goofing it up as it’s only one person who doesn’t have an expectation of being entertained.
| To learn more about how introverts can be engaging entertainers, purchase a premium account and take Mark Baxter’s lesson The Introverted Entertainer |
Get Creative from Playing Around
Find out how a handful of Nashville-based artists come up with ideas through various types of play. In this article, you’ll find out that jamming with friends who are better than you, going for a hike, co-writing and telling your life’s story are some of the many ways these artists fuel their creativity.
Covid-19: How Singers Deal with and Heal from It
COVID-19 affects people differently, but if you are a singer who suffered from this unpredictable illness, chances are, it affected your ability to sing. New York Session Singer and Vocal Coach Jaime Babbitt explains three ways singers can help themselves heal from COVID both physically and emotionally in the article How Singers Handle and Heal From COVID-19. Hang in there singers, you will be singing again soon!
Check out our Insta-Live chat with New York-based singer Ricky Somborn. Even with the pandemic, his career is flourishing. Find out how he’s doing it!
Kathy Alexander is VP of Curriculum for Singdaptive. She was a staff writer for 6 years at VoiceCouncil Magazine and works for the University of Victoria as a practicum supervisor. Kathy is also a singer, vocal coach and choir director. Career highlights include guest appearances in Europe with Quannah Parker jazz fusion band in Norway, and back on the West Coast with Vision TV’s Let’s Sing Again, The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and the Victoria International Jazz Festival.
