This is post one called Tommy’s Tips. Though they were written with drummers in mind, I’ll post a few that are general musicianship…I hope you enjoy his humor and imagination.
There are three kinds of people in your audience:
No.1 = The See’er
No. 2 = The Listener
No. 3 = The I Don’t Care’er
The see’er wants flip-flops, waving of the arms, face pulling, etc. Etc. etc.
The listener wants dynamics etc. so in order to please him it’s good sound showmanship to exaggerate your dynamics to the extent of making your pianos, double pianos and your (forty’s, double forty’s) When you combine extreme thinking in dynamics with good judgment, you have sold the listener, who is the most important person in your audience.
The “I don’t care’er” person in your audience, you don’t have to worry about.
He would like it much better if you packed up and went home.
In present day television “1977” which is like old time vaudeville days, slightly more polished, you see a lot of flip flops, waving of the arms, face pulling etc.
The see’er becomes happy.
Sincerely Tommy Thomas
Information from Tommy Thomas (1927