This is just my opinion, but most of those "funny things to say between songs" are not really funny. I've heard 'em all from, "You can request any song you want as long as it's 'Proud Mary'" to the imitation Elvis, "Thank you... thank you very much."

Don't mean to offend, but your performance is a personal thing. Why muck it up with stock lines? I really believe that the best humor is spontanious: watch what happens around you when you perform and you'll see all kinds of funny stuff that you can comment on.

Self-depreciating humor ("I had a request but I'll keep on singing anyway") is ok in VERY small doses. Keep it up and your audience will begin to think less of you.

A bar owner once cornered me during a break and said, "Who do you think you are, a friggin' radio announcer? More music, less talk." I took his advice to heart. It's not necessary to name every song you play, or even to comment between every song.

I just think it's best to keep the patter to a minimum.

"So did you hear about the musician who went around getting a punch line in between each song? No, nobody else ever heard of him either."

It's surprising how many great singers are lousy talkers. I guess that's the difference between a musician and an entertainer. How many times have you heard a good singer mumble and ramble between songs? Hardly anyone but the people who are really digging you listen.

And therin lies another danger when performing. Most times you'll have a couple of tables who are really into what you are doing. The rest of the people may be enjoying the performance, but they may not hang on every word. The important part is to stay focused on the entire audience, not just the people who are giving you feedback.

I suppose it depends on the location as well. If you're in an intimate, acoustic setting, you can get away with more talk. But in a bar setting (and I've played more than I care to remember) you gotta keep your patter short and sweet.

I remember how disillusioned I was the first time a bar owner asked me to announce the drink specials - LOL! But it's part of the job.

"So did you hear about the Nashville Publisher who got hit by a train. He just didn't hear it."

Billy Bob

Of course, not everyone feels comfortable winging it...so, in that case I don't see anything wrong with having a couple pat lines to use in awkward situations...like when tuning.

I heard one of the few bits of patter that I ever appreciated from Greg Brown ( the well known singer/songwriter from the midwest).

Setting up a break up song, he told of another songwriter friend of his who was despondent over a final breakup. When the friend tried to put a brave face on it by saying " yea, Greg, but I got a good song out of it," Greg replied by saying " sure buddy, try sleeping with your new song."

Generally I agree that patter should be handed out in small doses.

have a good one

I will say that coming up with somthing that will usually get you a laugh every time is hard. The lines that work were many months in the telling/bombimg/rewriting/retelling.

However, i have noticed that crowds that come to see music and a lot more giving with their laughs than a comedy club crowd.

I am sure this adds nothing to the topic, but it was worth a shot.

When onstage, be yourself, but amplified. I don't mean "plug in" - but rather, take your personality and amplify it. The real you will come across.

I am a big advocate of onstage banter. It connects the audience to you...just don't overdo it!

I am primarily an originals artist, but even when doing covers, there's usually something you can tell the audience about the artist, or the song, or the title that you are covering. You don't have to have a whole history of the artist, or a running monologue. Take a look at the songs on your setlist, and see what leads towards a comment. It can change based on the weather, news, your mood, etc.

Good luck!

JeanB

Heeeeelp!

I wasn't advising against it, I was just saying that I personally don't like to hear the motivation or the story behind it. I don't like hearing things like, "This song was inspired by my latest failed relationship" or "I wrote this song during my latest tour, or "this song helped me break out of writer's block, " or "this is a song about twisted love" or "this is about a love gone wrong" etc.

Although I don't mind a very brief dedication to individuals or groups, I really don't want to hear why they are dedicating it to them or the story behind it before I hear the song. I prefer to learn about it in the song itself. Why someone wrote it is not important to me, the song itself is.

Seriously, there are people who really are interested in knowing about how a particular song came to be. Making the story interesting is our job. If we can't make it interesting (or funny) then we should think of doing something else to interact with the audience. Of course we could just throw a bucket of water at them and call it a night.

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"I've heard the allegations and I know who the alligators are."
~ Jake Campbell

The Crowd EXPECTED This, he allus Delivered. A real Act of Respect towards the Writers, by The Singer.

"Sinatra at The Sands", a GREAT Live Album, with Count Basie's Band backin' him, has TONS of Great Patter between Songs. At one point, a guy obviously gets up to head off to The John; Sinatra notes this & adds "8-to-5 he don't Make It..."

Thanks for Sharin' all these Great "Insider" Moves, Folks!

I don't know. I like those folks who don't talk a lot. I could listen to James Taylor all day, and I don't think he says much between songs. Of course we all are familiar with his music. It's much harder being unknown as you all know. I guess striking a balance is important. People want to know a little about you, but if they hear a dissertation on stage between songs and the music isn't there, then it doesn't matter what you say.

Mark

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[b]Mark Carson Band[b]
[list]

Besides already being a pro performer, like Paul is of course, I think SOMEHOW "being relaxed" is the first step to being able to relate a joke or short story to a crowd. Jitters sounds like Jitters! Not appealing at all, no matter the lines. It can be a letdown from the music.

Trial and error is the way for most. Some have it naturally, and others don't. You'll know soon enough which one you are. If not so good at the verbage, either seek pro help in public speaking, (there are people who teach this), and/or with some comedy pros, or just play the damn songs and smile a lot, looking at people! Use your eyes to say a lot if your brain is full of marbles!

I have tuned pianos for many pros for their concerts. And at rehearsal, some would rehearse their lines, or story, to keep them fresh in their heads, and for the "timing", so it's not forced, but flowing, just like the songs they would rehearse in sound check. Some can wing it, and that's great for those kinds of natural talents, with a great natural appeal, no matter what they say.

Again,,,,,KNOW what you can and can't do, and work hard on your weaknesses. Have honest others let you know if you're not sure because of a local friendly crowd. Don't seek back patters, but REAL honest folks with educated opinions......
Just Plain Folks!

I once tried to tell an on-the-spot joke about our song title, and the crowd looked puzzled! It was called "My Blue Moon", but I don't remember what I said. The audience looks are all I can remember. Must have been bad. I was told to "shut up and just play" after that! I did, and later got to play with people like Chuck Berry and many others, so listen to strong opinions, or the looks on people's faces! I'm funny around my wife, but not on stage. She just doesn't know it yet!

John

Seriously, if they like the song enough, they usually come up to me afterwards and ask ME if the song was true, or how I wrote it. That's when I know the message of the SONG got through, not me telling them in advance.

quote:

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Originally posted by markcarsonband:
I think those who are just about the best at it is the Barenaked Ladies. It's all spontaneous, and a lot of it is funny.

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I have to agree here. Last year I saw BNL several nights in a row on their tour and even though the sets, musically, were the same each night (for the most part) each show felt completely different because of their in between song banter. The thing is thought, not EVERYTHING they tried was HILARIOUS, but they all are very cool about that and if something wasn't working they commented on it, which made it work!

Grant

I can cite many examples of people coming to me afterwards, because a song I'd prefaced connected with them. They did sit and listen. I haven't had ANYONE (except impatient bandmates!) say "Talk less!"

Also - it's a great point that banter helps pass the time during instrument changes, tunings etc.

I'd say the best storyteller I've ever seen is Bruce Springsteen, in his "glory days." He could draw you in so close, even in a huge arena.

However, the songs we hear in a concert are about the music and the situations they frame...but they don't usually tell us much about the performer. So the banter helps us get to know the PERFORMER more intimately. (You can pick up on the performer's attitude, ego size, character, and a lot of other things by listening to WHAT s/he chooses to talk about between songs, and HOW the remarks are delivered. That has sometimes proven more interesting to me than the music being played!)

So I vote: Banter--YES!!
But on canned remarks--Only when used sparingly and delivered well. (still working on this one myself, folks...)

The advisor who did the seminar I mentioned said that doing this connecting with the audience in this way will increase CD sales at your shows. I am looking for examples from artists to support this assertion, so post your success stories if you try this out and it works.

Thanks,

Stacey

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my blog:
http://www.staceydepolo.com/blogger.html
my favorite music: www.mokaimusic.com
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I have a tendency to have people come up to me and ask where I got something that I said, my usual response is: "what did I say?" I have intensions on saying something that may have been thought of prior to performance, but then I always end up improvising.

A large majority of the time it's apparently witty/funny/inciteful/etc... There are occassions though, when I know it's not working and I end up starting a song and shutting my mouth.

Now, when I'm performing solo, that's usually when more of a story nature comes out for songs. People seem to expect that in a solo setting. However, when I'm performing with a full band - the whole thing changes.

With the whole band, I'm less likely to spew tons of words about a song. I'm more likely to bring other members of the band to the mic to include them in the banter, but it's almost always short and to the point and the music tends to be the major priority.

So my observation is: when solo - talk as much as you can get away with, without boring the audience. When with a band - say something here or there then shut up and play.

I think one thing that really helps the banter is somehow tying it to your CD's or your merch, or the song. Random, non-related stuff doesn't work so well.

Here's one that always works well.

i havent started the performing end of my career yet, but i worked with one of the biggest bands around for two years and learned alot about FILLING SPACE.

here are some tips:

1. Learn the BARTENDERS NAMES, and introduce THEM to the crowd during the performance. Say something about them to the crowd (the way jay leno does with kevin eubanks). Anyone the bartender is serving during those few minutes WILL AUTOMATICALLY LISTEN. (club owners love this as well.) Thats when you can mention the drink specials too. Example: "FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDNT KNOW, RACHEL IS THE BEAUTIFUL BARTENDER YOU SEE BEHIND THE BAR. SHE'S THE ONE OFFERING "SEX ON THE BEACH" FOR TWO DOLLARS."

2. Never mention how your songs relate to YOU. Instead, mention how it relates to something the characters of FRIENDS or SEINFELD went through. For instance, takes the episode where rachelle dumps ross, because of the LIST. Let your song explain what you think he should've done.

3. Go to the place your going to be performing at, and go to the bathroom. can you here the band playing while your in there. If so, dedicate a song during YOUR performance, to the guy on the TOILET. Let him know you understand. Be careful with this approach when playing in resteraunts.

im tired of typing, but hopefully this helps.

"Never mention how your songs relate to YOU. Instead, mention how it relates to something the characters of FRIENDS or SEINFELD went through. For instance, takes the episode where rachelle dumps ross, because of the LIST. Let your song explain what you think he should've done."

If you can connect the banter about a song to someone in the audience or one of the bartenders - that's very cool. Gives them and the folks around them one more reason to listen carefully.

But relating it to a sitcom - not unless its playing on the TV's behind the bar while you're on stage and you really feel like you want to get the attention of those watching it. Otherwise, you just might be encouraging those wathcing you to watch the TV.

Preaching a topic won't typically gain you much positive response though. Usually humor or something of an interesting/educational nature that is short and concise and INTERESTING to the audience can work if that is your thing.

In general, long intros about songs better pay off in a very big way. Steve Seskin is a genuis at doing this.. but his songs always pay off in a big way. If you are still developing, it's often best just to get to the songs and be friendly and responsive to the audience in sincere and non-canned ways unless you've found your own comments work for your audiences and you haven't used it with a particular group before. (i.e. you're touring across the country and playing for folks who have never seen you.) Using the same pre-canned jokes/comments over and over in a local town can backfire.

There is no right or wrong way in the end. There's only YOUR way. And if YOUR way is good enough, people will respond positively.. if not.. they'll let you know!

"What I do is tell a few jokes, sing a few songs, drink beer, meet women and I get paid. Is this a great country or what?"

seem too generic to really entertain the audience. If you want your listeners to really connect with you, find some common ground. Talk about the venue, the bartender, the city, local events, etc. Create something you can share. Also, interaction in the form of questions helps get the audience into a joke. For example, if playing in a bar, ask:
"How many of yall are out there sippin' on a beer?"
::light applause/noise::
"All right, how many of yall are havin' some mixed drinks?"
::more light applause::
"Right on, and how many of yall are suckin down a big glass of fruit juice?"
::silent pause...::
"All right, my kinda crowd!"

I feel like spontaneous lines are the best, but they don't have to be straight off the top of your head. When you first enter the venue, look around for distinguishing features to comment on. Like if there's a gigantic deer head mounted on the wall, say "That dude with the antlers up there has no taste in music. He hasn't clapped for any of my songs so far." Make the commentary unique to the audience and the venue, and they'll feel more personally connected to you.

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Be yourself!
Have fun! – Because if you aren’t enjoying yourself there’s no way the audience will be!!
Personally I like a bit of banter between songs, interaction with the audience is great, but don’t overdo it!
Keep the show going – chat is better than nothing! Make sure you have something to say when the band is not ready to start the next song (e.g. instrument changing).
If there’s a good story relating to a song – tell it!
The odd stock one-liner is ok, but don’t do it between every song, the audience will get tired of it.

Cheers

Nige

I think that "canned" jokes can work, I've seen them work pretty well, and other times, not at all; depends on the "delivery"...

I think that humor tailored to the situation, the room, and the people in it works more often.

The rare success story for me in this context happened at an open mic; I got up on front of the microphone, looked out right in front of me, and there was a yound kid at one of the tables who was a dead ringer for the actor in the Harry Potter movies. I said "before I get started, I just wanted to acknowledge that we have a big celebrity in the audience tonight... right down here in front, we have Harry Potter!"... The kid, of course, loved it, and the crowd reacted positively to the kids enjoyment. I at least had their attention for my two songs...

One little tip....in my experience, I have found that the "WC Fields" under the breath technique works very well...it matters as much more how you say what you say than what you say....

A simple "yeah...sure" muttered a bit off mike so that it sounds like you're talking to yourself can bring down the house as readily as a 4 minute story with props and two topless waitresses !

Learn to talk to yourself..just a bit off mike...the audience will often quiet down to hear what the hell is going on...if you say something that bombs you can even ridicule the utterance to yourself (that's the last time I buy a joke from a busboy) or something like that...

Try it...it's easy and it can really work for you....the hard part is not overdoing it..comedy is addictive..once you find a way to make an audience laugh..you wanna be Richard Pryor....it's really seductive.

Good luck