“If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words.”– Roman Statesman Cicero

More than simply playing to our audience, we need to connect with them. Roman orator and attorney Cicero knew that connecting at both a mental and emotional level with an audience was crucial…

His use of the word must in the quote above is interesting—when you are playing, it doesn’t cut it to “try” or “attempt” to connect. You either do or you don’t. If you are a classical player opening up for Lamb of God, there is a good chance you might not connect with the audience; that is unless you arrange a few songs off of their Killadelphia album into a nice classical and recognizable medley. (That would be pretty awesome!)

Think Their Thoughts

Is your audience listening to you by choice or circumstance? And what is going through their minds while you are playing? Chances are if you are playing at the bar, your audience might be thinking more about “how to get that big-chested blond girl to go home with me” than what mode you choose to solo in on Voodoo Child. The best way of connecting and drawing attention to your music might just be to crack a few dirty jokes, or play something that the audience can dance and grind to.

If you are playing at a Guitar Show or NAMM, like our funky member, Carl Burnett, chances are that people want to hear interesting and creative uses of harmonies, substitutions, motifs, soundscapes, techniques, etc. They appreciate quality musicians and respect creative songwriting and playing so go ahead and do your thing.

Feel Their Feelings

Being empathetic is truly masterful, and as it turns out, is psychologically the best way to connect with someone. One trick to feeling how others are feeling, is to actually manipulate the other’s emotional state. How do you do this? Well, by channeling your emotion(s) into your music and not holding back. If you are playing a sad song, and your guitar is gently weeping, the audience is going to feel it. They might empathize with you and reflect on a heartbreak or loss of their own.

Imagine: How cool would be it be to actually make someone tear up from your playing?

Speaking of Connecting…

We want to connect with our audience even moreso as well. We love feedback and would greatly appreciate it to hear how we can better meet the intellecutual and emotional needs of our members.

Help us help you by letting us know what you want to learn about, what questions you are having, what roadblocks are you suffering from on your musical journey to Guitar Enlightenment.

Let us know by leaving comments on this post.

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