The Course – 16 video lessons and a 25-page downloadable workbook
Price – $90 (Single class) or $180 annually for All-Access (75+ other Instructors)
Rating – 4.7 out of 5 stars
Availability – Click here
Also, there’s an option to offer as a gift to someone

 

About a year ago I heard about Masterclass.com, a web-based tutorial class taught by celebrities, that are geniuses in their respective fields. One of them I have reviewed is Christina Aguilera who teaches singing and I thought this site was a brilliant idea.

In The Art of Performance, we’re going to take a look at yet another celebrity that walks through different aspects of techniques to get you ready as a total performer; how to stand out on stage, read your audience in a room, regardless of size and win over them.

Most of you reading this is familiar with this American singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer. If not, you can take a peek by clicking his name here – Usher.

 

This is For You If…

This course is a Masterclass about the art of performance taught by Usher.  Sometimes, we are so focused on techniques on specific areas in singing, like breathing, tone, vocal registers that we miss the big picture, to share what we’ve got by performing in front of others.  If that’s a dream, then this is for you.

Aside from the myriad of personal benefits of singing and dancing, getting your skill out there will take you to another level. For some of us that have put in years of singing lessons without a way to perform it could be very disheartening.  You’re here because you have an inclination that someday you dream of performing to an audience.

Usher started as a singer first when he was just 9 years old and already joined an R&B group at 10. Let’s take a look at one of the best in his field, combining singing, dancing, acting and performing and other areas in his arsenal to become one of a complete package.

 

The Main Reasons Why You Should Take The Course

He’s a winner of 8 Grammy Awards.  Not anyone can just get that enormous title without a high price to pay.  He’s worked hard and he deserves the podium to tell us how he’s made the big league. He will reveal his technical skills, advice and career lessons from over 25 years of captivating his audience.  Artists perform on stage and we feel like it’s so easy, so natural and we don’t see what brought them to that stage before they even got there.

In this class, he talks about going through building yourself overtime if you want to go the long haul, the sacrifice of becoming your greatest and having the tools needed to go as far as you choose and that means not only in singing, dancing or entertaining but as a whole person in any career.

Usher has been through the process, what it takes to be successful in his field and sharing it here in this class is something worth checking out as he says “This is my Masterclass.  Are you ready?

 

16 Lessons in Becoming a Total Performer

1. Introduction – He opens up on what lies ahead in the course, what to expect and what he’s going to offer, “..something that lasts forever, something that I learned, that was taught to me..”.

2. Getting Started – He starts off by suggesting finding opportunities to perform, use social media to grow your audience, and leaves you with your first-class assignment. Doing something is the first step, a physical action.

3. Gathering Inspirations – He talks about finding a source of creativity, putting them down on paper and interpret them into a song, a certain dance move, and so on. Sources of being one are always all around us just waiting to inspire us to greatness.  He studied several artists that worked hard to get to where they’re at and suggests doing the same.

4. Applying Inspiration – After being inspired by gathered sources, ultimately applying them gives you an identity, not just be an imitator. He says to be inspired by what you see, take it and create your own “reinterpretation” and make it your own.

5. Singing – He teaches about learning to identify and expand your range, warming up, and taking care of the “two strips of muscles” in your throat before and after a live performance. He specifically teaches a technique – when you can’t hear your voice in a live performance, making sure you don’t get off-pitch.

6. Dancing – He brings his experience from childhood dancing in the ’80s, ’90s from different artists to discovering his own style. He explains how “interpretation and individuality are the keys to a captivating dance performance”.  He points out the benefit of studying dancers from all sources, but having to put it all together physically, putting your own eyes on it is crucial.

7. Acting – Usher wasn’t formally trained as an actor but he brings in techniques he mastered through trial and error, taking every opportunity to find ways to be the best actor he can be and eventually became a soap opera actor, TV actor, and other roles that were available for him. From this experience, you will learn how to discover a different personality in becoming a creative actor.

8. Preparing for A Live Performance – He suggests going through the entire performance when in private, to build confidence in the event of a breakdown, making mistakes seem intentional. He touches on being always prepared and ready through pre-show rituals, rehearsal techniques to meditation and visualization – seeing in your mind what’s going to happen before you even go out in the “moment of truth”.

9. Captivating an Audience – Usher has got some of his best tips on capturing his audience’s hearts. You can see how he does it in his performance videos.  He says it’s all about your connection to the song, and to the audience, you’re singing to.  Being able to read your environment while there’s a lot going on, the singing, the dance, the lyrics, the band. Reading the room ultimately gets you to another level.

10. Showtime – He talks about being committed to your performance, whether the camera is on you or not, and be totally in character showing a contaminating conviction. Then he talks about leaving space for magic amidst a mistake or perceived one, leaving space for spontaneity. He declares to allow yourself at the moment, no matter what happens, even imperfections and mistakes.

11. Performance Review – Usher walks you through his live performance in London’s O2 Arena on video. It’s a play-by-play of being in the moment, critiquing as the video rolls on with sweat all over his face and the dramatic moments in the show.   Even the long silence builds into dramatic energy.

12. Collaboration – Usher walks you through his approach and insights to collaborating with other artists such as David Guetta and Alicia Keys. He talks about the importance of collaborating with producers, managers, executives, record companies.  He says,” it takes a village to put together an incredible project”.

13. Creating A Personal Brand – Usher discloses his secrets in successful branding using social media, sex appeal, and the tools you need to set yourself apart. He confirms that you must find ways to market and sell what you’ve created, your commodity.  He states that you’re not only an artist but an entrepreneur at the same time.  So, be dedicated and committed to it.

14. Mental Toughness – Every artist that made it, was greeted with a lot of NO’s and Usher admits that openly, “I have more failures than I’ve actually had successes” and he’s always got back up and kept going. Learn from an attitude of forgiving yourself, getting back up, and moving on when a performance goes out of whack.

15. Usher’s Career Journey – Here, we’re following a man’s life story, one of entertainment’s most successful careers, 25 years in the making. He loved and tried baseball, football, basketball, and eventually found his connection in music and fell in love with what he really wanted to do.  Follow along as he narrates it more in detail how he finally secured his spot in the limelight of his colorful career.

16. Final Thoughts – Finally, he sums this class advocating you the opportunity to use his teaching to prepare for your moment that can bring you far more than you could ever imagine. The measure of his success has always been the journey and not a specific place, record sales, recognition, idea or expansion. His experiences inspire you to use the same journey he’s walked through.

 

What I Really Love About the Course

Access to an elite mentor that has been in the industry for over 25 years with real-life experiences in his field.  Learn from one of the best performers that have proven himself winning multiple Grammy awards that wouldn’t just be available otherwise.

You’re not only getting a course by Usher, but you also get all several dozens of other experts in their field when you purchase the All-access for only $180

High-quality production videos and course composition.

The Price, considering having access to someone who’s “been there, done that” and you get golden nuggets from an ultimate performer.

You can learn as you go on your own terms and pace via your mobile device, desktop, and Apple TV.  What could be more valuable than having someone that gives invaluable knowledge out of the comfort of your home to inspire and motivate you in your quest, not only in singing but the whole package as a performer?

I like the idea of buying this as a gift by selecting the “Gift” button as an option.  It’s not a physical product, so it will be available to the recipient once you purchase it, especially when it’s a last-minute thing.

There’s also a lesson discussion board where Students comment, encourage each other in the class, like-minded collaborators that adds even more value.

 

What Could Be Better

Since this is a self-paced course, there is no accountability unless you are self-motivated to pursue a dream.  He’s not going to handhold you to success. Some of us are so pumped up to start something, but we slowly fizzle out when we don’t see an immediate result.

You will be left in front of a screen on your own, not getting input on the fly when you have an immediate question or when it’s time to apply what you just learned.  It could lead to frustration that you end up prematurely quitting the course.

See to it that before purchasing this course that you aim for the goal and what you get at the end.

I’ve mentioned on this website before that a local voice teacher (or dancer) that you trust and can work with you in person is more preferable, but considering the constraint of time and money, you’re still at the upper hand in the long run.

It’s a masterclass, which means you’ve either been a student or gained some knowledge about the subject before you understand most of it.  The reverse can also be true, that even if you are just a total novice but willing to work hard, it can be a confidence builder to thrust you forward as a start.

There’s a quote that says, “You only get out what you put into it”, but the amount of reward you get out from the effort you put in is life-changing.

 

 

In Conclusion

You don’t have to be a singer or dancer to benefit from this class. This is all about the art of success.  It’s basically insights for everyone who wants to succeed in life.

Usher passes on his knowledge of his craft, attitude of commitment, and an opportunity to help and motivate people who needed a sense of belief in themselves. He admits that it’s not always about hitting the right notes or steps, he made mistakes himself.  It’s the commitment that you convey within you in what you do.

You’re reading this because you’re one that is looking for a way to better your skill in singing and performing.  I encourage you to go out there and get it for yourself.  No one is going to give that to you, and one of the opportunities to grow is to get the tools you need to achieve that, whether this course or something else.  But you have to get out there and do something.

I read this quote from an investment book two weeks ago – “the best time to invest was yesterday, and the next best time is today”.  As in other areas, a performer just doesn’t expect to just show up and be good at it unconsciously.  An investment of effort is waiting to be made and “…the next best time is today.” To get the course, click here.