"I have noticed these days 'louder' seems to mean 'better.' I think people feel like it makes more of an impact. Ironically, it's the opposite: When music is very quiet, the impact is much greater." - Alan Menken, movie music composer

I have noticed in some of the variety shows I have performed in the first thing many of the performers tell the sound technician is "crank the volume way up on my music." I began asking that my music be played softer because with my interactive style of performance I get audience members talking to me and I want to be able to hear what they are saying. When I began trying to create a sense of wonder during some of my performances I started choosing some quieter songs and it seemed to work better if the volume was softer. When I began using royalty free music created for variety artists I discovered that other entertainers often were using the same songs. (Randy Christensen and Arthur Stead both produce wonderful royalty free music that is used by many entertainers.) I noticed an interesting thing. After the show people would frequently comment that they liked the music that I used the best. Often they comment on the mood created by my music, and that they were able to relax and enjoy my performance. I got that reaction even when it was the same music used by others in the show. The difference was the volume at which it was played.

When I am doing a Gospel Clown Ministry performance I have some routines that are just for fun and some routines that present a lesson. In some of my other performances, especially at variety arts conferences, I often include a motivational routine. I have learned that if I use more up tempo music for my fun routines, and quieter music for the serious routines the effectiveness of both is increased because we judge things by contrast. When I can control the sound myself I turn down the volume for the serious routines and turn it up for the fun routines. There is definitely a place for more volume and energy. There is also a place for less volume and energy.

I saw the effectiveness of contrast in a live concert by John Denver. His next to last song was "Calypso" with his entire band and back up singers. It was a high energy song that brought the audience to their feet. Then everyone left the stage. John returned alone for his encore, sat on a stool, and accompanied only by his own guitar, quietly sang "For You." The contrast made the beauty of his voice and lyrics stand out. The audience sat silently in rapt attention. It is a moment that I will never forget.

I have observed entertainers who present motivational routines, for example Oscar Munoz, will not only use quieter music for those routines but speak in a quieter tone of voice.

Something I learned from Stan Allen, a magician and puppeteer, is that if an audience starts to get noisy and you want to attract their attention you need to get quieter. If you get louder, the audience will get louder. It is almost as if they think as long as you are speaking louder they aren't interrupting you. Because they can hear you, they believe everyone else can hear as well. They seem to start speaking louder so the person they are talking to can hear them. However, if you speak more quietly they will also become quiet because they want to hear what you are saying.

When Oprah Winfrey made announcements or introductions on her television program, she often would shout to express her excitement. I have seen other performers do that, especially when introducing somebody. I found it to be counter productive. They don't articulate well in the attempt to produce more volume and I often can't understand what they are shouting. I have realized that the most effective emcees that I know will lead up to the introduction, pause, and then quietly announce the person's name. Not only is it clearer, but it gives it greater emphasis.

How can you experiment with volume? What happens if you reduce the volume of music that you have been using? How can you use quietness to increase the impact of your presentation? How can you use contrast to increase the effectiveness of both loud and soft moments?