What I hear in my in-ear monitors onstage 🎧

[@lisa_wistfulone7957]

This is fascinating!! I’ve often wondered how performers remember everything (especially in songs with lots of verses or tempo changes).

[@brendonwood7595]

back in the day they just practised until they remembered. no other option was available

[@cococovers1333]

i went to a music school in highschool and we did not have in-ear monitors so we just had to practice and practice and practice until we got it right before performing and if something went wrong on stage we would just improvise or pretend it didn't happen

[@koloradokiller]

It's a magical trick called practice

[@Locormus2]

When I was in a coverband, we did rotating three hour sets, all live, no earpieces. Eventually we had 7 hours of material we could play if requested squeezed into those three hours.. 😅

[@MacyMoeller]

@@brendonwood7595I still prefer it that way tbh

[@sarahglover3286]

"Skip. Skip a beat" Imagine if you accidently played that through the speakers! 🤣

[@eli_h309]

Or said it into the mic

[@JohnR31415]

I’ve run a click into infill speakers before…

[@AndLOLGG]

I once heard the click track for a whole show in one particular speaker at Roskilde Festival. I think it was Kanye West. I wasn't at the show, I was at the tent area and thought it was peculiar that the speaker closest to my camp was playing this weird click throughout the songs and it stopped in between songs. I went for a guitar jam walk and the click stopped for a while, I couldn't hear it from another speaker, and I ran back to confirm that it was just for that speaker it played the click track. It was loud ASF. 😅

[@Warlock_UK]

They once ran Devin Townsend's IEM click track into the stage monitors, I think at Bloodstock. You could hear stuff like "Intro sample, three...two...one..."

[@deameon-YW]

Cough cough no ya didn't...

[@MrMarsFargo]

I am 110% grateful you are sharing this. Realize it’s a somewhat different niche, but as a film composer something I find really intimidating is that composers/songwriters aren’t always too transparent about their actual process or technical workflow behind the scenes. Trying to figure out “what’s my approach/process” can be kinda scary with nothing as a point of reference, so I absolutely LOVE that you released this.

[@lozzy1191]

Because most of us practice until we know the songs off by heart and then the only thing we put in out ears are buds to stop ourselves going deaf. Most Musicians, students, original artists, songwriters and composers don't get someone talking to them like ever...

[@Shrooblord]

It's always great to see the behind the scenes of how things get made and how things are done. The end result can look so polished, it's easy to forget it took a lot of stumbling to get to that point. Plus there could be inspiring tricks and tidbits and funny moments hidden just on the other side of the curtain.

[@Garn0123]

​@@lozzy1191 Monitors aren't exactly rare.

[@KatieCottingham]

​@@lozzy1191First, monitors are standard for anyone who is making a living with their music and it's not just a pipe dream still. Hell, my guitar teacher when I was a kid even had a monitor setup for his band that was still only weekend gigging. It's not a measure of musicianship or dedication by a very long shot. It's about being able to communicate to your band and have cues that could be helpful with a complex, long song that you may have tweaked how you're performing recently, and it can also keep you safe if it's cues connected to light cues. I cannot count how many times during tech for musicals that we would see someone try to cross on the wrong cue and worse than not hitting their light, many young (or distracted at any age) actors will walk into someone or something and get hurt. The night someone clipped the skrim on the upstage cyc line with a piece of tall scenery ripped a hole at the pipe pocket, causing another actor to be hit on the head by it as there was no sight line by anyone other than the stage manager in the booth at a point when the ASMs on deck had to be off headset. A former mentor told me about a gig mixing for a well known rock band who had a pyro accident that could've been avoided had he just paid attention to the cue on the monitor. You can tell yourself that you wouldn't need this, but the thing is, it's not just for one person, but the ensemble who are trying to not go full "Carol of the Bells" runaway freight train and remember which of the literally hundreds of possible verses they'd picked. Maybe you just needed to feel better about yourself, but your comment doesn't come off as a working professional but someone struggling who is jealous. I hope this is not an example of the karma you bring to the musicians you preform within. 😕😒

[@KatieCottingham]

I have a few friends from college that have gone into scoring and I wonder if they dream about watching and finding beats and creating their click tracks to maintain their tempo. I think I'd start dreaming them like I did with the specific metronome I used in college when learning a new piece and trying to decide how I wanted to perform it.

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

As a musician I can confirm that clicks are invaluable for songs with limited instrument accompaniment and are helpful with most any song really.

[@vozera723]

As another musician can you help me understand why nobody's calling it a metronome? I get referring to the clicks cuz not everyone knows what a metronome is, but it could have just said like the clicks is what we call a metronome that keeps us in time. maybe I'm just being really dumb but it feels like an educational video that left out a part of education

[@ldgarius]

Then you're not much of a musician if you can't keep a simple tempo, especially having a base drum on the beat...

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

@@ldgarius lmao.... That reply right there shows your ignorance. So with that reply you're saying Malinda isn't much of a musician cause she uses a click? She's more successful as a musician and vocalist than you'll probably ever be. Hell based on that idiotic reply, I'm willing to say I'm more successful as a musician than you are. You probably don't even play an instrument or have ever even been on a stage before let alone recorded anything. Smh.

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

@@vozera723 it is technically a metronome. Just easier to say and type click.

[@vozera723]

@@ldgarius just because new tools are created to make artist jobs easier does not mean they're less of a musician.....

[@lekiscool]

I’ve sang on stage, I’ve never considered that I could have had something talking to me so I didn’t get lost. 😅 Usually I wear earplugs so I can hear myself.

[@Pokornz]

Having some type of monitor (either in ear or speakers pointed at you) is incredibly important, no matter if you're singing or playing an instrument.

[@mallarieluvsgirls]

@@Pokornzabsolutely. i’ve tried singing without it and it’s incredibly hard to hear yourself lol especially if you have a live drums.

[@tundra537]

Also as a band kid counting and knowing cues is so important!! As well as knowing the amount of volume to use depending on the acoustics. (Gyms suck to play in)

[@jessicaclakley3691]

lol tell me about it! they suck up all the beautiful music and bounce back every possible off tone and misfingering, it’s a real eye opener when you play in a venue meant for music for the first time.

[@tundra537]

@@jessicaclakley3691 Sure is! The opera house that my highschool band normally preforms at just got fixed up and it sounds 10x better!

[@CrIzPŷ_TuX]

Yhup. Practice with them beats Every single day. I’m going into 7th grade, and I’m starting Jazz and advanced band, hope I’ll survive with the constant ticking in my head all day every day x2.

[@18noodles]

"weyhey! 😆👌🏼" 😭😭

[@tharii314]

eww emojis

[@ninjamilk5812]

​@@tharii314u should not be talking with that profile picture especially your KZbin channel. Eww

[@18noodles]

@@tharii314 what kind of weirdo is grossed out by emojis 😭😭

[@kaldo_kaldo]

@@ninjamilk5812 He's a man of culture okay?

[@mary1477]

that’s so interesting! would you mind sharing more of this stuff in the future? i’m in no way connected with the music industry, but bts things are genuinely fascinating to me for some reason

[@MLELELELEL]

Yess same!! Would fant to know more about this too!

[@Malinda]

Of course!

[@thomasdalton1508]

​@@Malinda Is there a reason you take one monitor out to hear the audience rather than having an audience mic in the mix? Don't hurt your hearing doing gigs without protection!

[@Andy001Andy]

@@thomasdalton1508most likely for an easier setup.

[@justus8675]

@@Malinda Is there someone live on your ear or is it a prerecorded track for you and maybe everybody else opn your ears?

[@thomasdalton1508]

I like that it reminds you of your name in case you've forgotten!

[@Malinda]

Truly possible on tour

[@Heathersproshotedits1989]

@@Malindaomg 🤣🤣🤣💅

[@meepleofbritain5942]

Firstly, this is real interesting to see what you hear on stage. Secondly, love the on stage outfit from this show!

[@tedball8677]

Thank you so much for the on-stage trade secrets. Makes perfect sense. You've thought it out beforehand (=thinking & planning) so you _don't_ have to think about it while on stage with a crowd to entertain as well.

[@rosethunder3820]

That's so cool! I never considered how hard it can be to remember the lines, my favorite part of drunken sailor has always been that when sung live you rarely hear it the same way twice. People are always coming up with new lines on the spot. But that's always been at renaissance fairs and stuff.

[@jacobbissey9311]

There are also literally hundreds of verses already out there, so no two groups will ever do it in exactly the same way. Granted, that's also kind of a hallmark of the folk genre in general, variation and personalization are part of the definition, so if two groups ever do exactly the same arrangement of any folk song, one of them is doing it wrong.

[@colinlancaster9061]

I think it’s also important to point out that there are a lot of different approaches to in-ear monitoring. Some artists have just a click, just the cues, both or even pitch tracks. Most musicians that I’ve met just have a mix, and maybe a click. I generally just have the kick, snare, hi-hats, bass guitar and myself (guitar) in my monitors and then the vocal super low just in one ear as my “cue”. Fascinating stuff to see how others use their equipment. Super cool video!

[@tundra537]

Gotta love the invention of in-ear monitors!!! This is a wonderful example of how they’re used! ❤ and that classic “WEYHEY” 😂 This is FR the most amount of likes I've gotten. Sad I know but tysm!!!

[@testfire3000]

High five for 117 likes! 👍

[@tundra537]

@@testfire3000 Thanks :) *First like*

[@mkc3436]

My vocal teacher was previously an opera singer so she really forced it on her students to memorize everything and that if you do make a mistake, then “hey, it’s just a cover song and it’s your own rendition now, the audience doesn’t know how you’re supposed to sing it, only you, so if you make a mistake, own it and build up off it” and tbh it’s made me feel more confident Plus she fell in love with a jazz man, so now she has skills of operatic and jazz and whenever mistakes are made that sound good, she just says “oooh jazzy! I like it!”

[@copyj8187]

Example of "the audience doesn't know what it's supposed to sound like" from my high school band days. Mom: That sounded amazing. You did so good! Me: The fan blew my music off my stand halfway through the one song so I had to go by memory and what little I could see off someone else's stand.

[@jacobbissey9311]

Honestly, that philosophy works especially well for folk music, since variation and personalization are part of the definition of the genre, I've had a few songs I learned by ear and later found out I had misheard the lyrics (mondegreens) and decided I liked my version better so I kept doing it with the "wrong" lyrics, lol. I've accidentally flipped around verses, or mixed up lyrics between verses, and it honestly is fine, especially if I notice the mistake and can "fix" it by working what I missed back into the song later. No two groups should *ever* do the same folk song in the same way, there should *always* be a personal spin on it.

[@JohnnyH1992]

There are no wrong chords, just Jazz Chords.

[@claireschweizer4765]

I like her 😂

[@davedave7818]

Absolutely fascinating! I've always wondered what comes thru the ear pieces. Thanks for such great & interesting info. ❤

[@dabsallday9938]

I could NEVER 😂 would make me too overstimulated and I’d have a melt down on stage 😂😂😊

[@bucketfriend297]

Yeah I've tried so many versions of this for playing & singing or making music and every time I have to just give up on music temporarily because it's such a horrible sound for me. I'm amazed anyone can perform with this in their ear!!

[@dabsallday9938]

@@bucketfriend297 Awww I’m sorry 😢 but PLEASE don’t give up on doing music! Especially if music is something you would really love to do!! You’ll find something that will work for you!! Keep doing what makes you happy tho!! ❤️❤️

[@bucketfriend297]

@@dabsallday9938 I hope so! I've been trying for a couple decades already but you never know 😅 clearly I care about it to keep trying!

[@claireschweizer4765]

Same or I'd just be thrown off and wouldn't sing properly

[@JamesNewham]

if you ever visit Europe, I will drag all my friends and single handedly sell out your show

[@tundra537]

That’s an amazing idea! ❤

[@lmordro]

🥰😍 Thank you. You're so lovely. I'm glad you're an artist.

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Whatever it takes. You do an awesome show and I'm so very blessed to have attended several!

[@Darvit_Nu]

THANK YOU!!!! I always wanted to know what exactly a singer hears in their ear piece on stage! I set mine to hear the singing on my own note register I'm aiming to sing in (to help me match pitch)... but had no idea what others listen to. The metronome clicks are super helpful! We didn't have one but my being in a high register, in front ... the rest of the choir noticed I bob my left knee! (I was totally unaware I do this or sway at all lol!) The choir started calling me their Metronome! ^_^

[@JennyMorash]

This was genuinely fascinating, thank you so much for sharing this with us.😊

[@francescathomas3502]

THank you so much for the cues. They made singing the song so much better for me, especially since I am profoundly deaf. I can hear the beat and the base but not the words!! But I can also lipread!!

[@arimckellin1]

I volunteer in video production at a church and I am typically the computer graphics operator and occasionally video director. Having the clicker that the performers also hear is incredibly helpful with making sure timing is right not just for the people on stage, but for us behind the scenes too! :D

[@vozera723]

Why is everyone calling it a "clicker", is that just like what stage and production calls a metronome? Genuine question

[@arimckellin1]

​@@vozera723that's a good question!​ If you listen behind the music, there is a tick, or a "click." It is like a metronome in that it keeps the beat, but if you listen REALLY closely, you can hear the first of each 4 beats as a little louder which different from a metronome. Don't quote me on this, but I am pretty sure it also hints at the time signature or possibly the first beat in a measure in the musical sense. I am more confident it's the former

[@vozera723]

@@arimckellin1 ahhhhh I figured that was just a tool that they implemented into the digital metronome. My brain kind of compares it to analog versus digital clocks, cuz like with most things not all when you translate format you always get different features added

[@drew8256]

I once went to a Beatles revival concert with. Lookalike band. Somehow the we could hear the feed from the monitors.

[@to_tire]

Like the click track and assorted song directives? Bleh

[@adamsokool1658]

Melinda is a total Bad Ass!!! I love what you do, I love the style you sing in, and OMG would I love to sing some duets with you!!! Don’t stop what you’re doing!!!

[@saraholson8849]

Ok this is cool! I love little BTS stuff like this.

[@anotherwofartist5895]

Having a met going in your ear the whole show explains so much! It’d be so nice if we were able to do that in other musical performing arts like band, glad you’ve got a way to make what has to already be a very demanding show easier!

[@bryanhellyer8833]

Thanks for explaining 👏.. well done. I dont recall anyone else explaining their performance methods.. woo 👏👏👌🤗🌷🌷💛

[@altasilvapuer]

This was such a cool insight, and not something I would've ever expected a performer to share outside of the industry. I love these little things that humanize stars, because it gives hope to people just starting out that might be intimidated to chase that dream.

[@ursmetzger]

please make a KZbin series out of it with all your songs including the click tracks. that's so fascinating and I somehow can't get enough of it. It's somehow funny. I recently did start searching for such videos to learn more about it and get some inspiration.

[@jaskierdraven9191]

I love seeing the behind the scenes stuff like this in the music industry

[@D3adWednesday]

This is pretty nifty. Especially on those songs that have complicated lyrics have that cue would be super comforting.

[@_PixelAngel_]

This is wonderful! I often struggle with trying new things because i think "i could never do that without help." Its really good to know that the pros also need/use help and assistance tools for performing.

[@alucryts]

This fucking song is stuck in my head. It slaps so hard.

[@Nick_ID_1VFXArtist_und_Cutter]

I would be driven crazy Hearing a voice while Im performing, dancing and trying to hit the notes and sing the lyrics, things like skipping a beat are things u rehears and learn by heart 😮

[@LuboCoach]

This is amazing @Malinda. Thank you for this look behind earpiece

[@laurenarigo3894]

The conductor has always been so important in orchestra and I have always been so surprised on stage performers do it without them. Now I know.

[@yannboehm4251]

That's soooo cool, I appreciate all the work you put to it and all the hard work. It sounds amazing

[@johnmatuszak3252]

This was really interesting. Wonderful insight into how our favorite performers are able to do their job under difficult circumstances.

[@iglesiabautistanuevajerusa7417]

Loved it! Praying for much success.

[@RockyRoader]

I oftern wondered how bands can get complex arrangements so damn tight. This is one way to give yourself every advantage - Weyhey!!

[@ananaithnid7495]

I played flute when I was younger. Reached grade 8 through AMEB before I ended up stopping. One thing that was a killer during my examinations and practice for them (naturally solo) was timing. Having earpieces to give me timing cues would've been amazing. I have a piece of sheet music from my Grade 4 exam somewhere around where my instructor at the time has done filled in block letters of "!!Andante!!" at the top. Gives me a laugh every time I come across it.

[@tired_manatee]

as a musician, i didn’t even notice the metronome at first bc i’m so used to it 😭

[@RMS_CT-1509]

This is very cool to know

[@markantrim]

Gotta love Malinda 🧡🇨🇮🍀

[@shondig]

omg she told us about this in vip! I was so curious lol

[@Malinda]

The aggressive WAYHAY still get me

[@tundra537]

@@Malindayess! I would die laughing if I heard that 😂

[@connienelsonahlberg8040]

Great job!! I’m a fan in Minnesota! I think you are so gifted! ❤🎉😊

[@Minyassa]

This is actually super helpful to know, thank you!

[@dvyt433]

When i was in bands the drummer had the click to keep in time with the pre recorded sequencer bits. They were usually little percussion fills or some keyboard parts. To keep things simple we mixed everything to DAT. The left channel was the click and the right was the audio tracks. Send left to the drummers headset and the right to the mixer. Worked lovely. Not that i gave a shit at the time, I was the guitarist. Did what i wanted and occasionally glanced at the singer to make sure i was playing the right song.

[@josielynn6369]

I loved the comment about community college. I had the same experience and I'm so glad it's had the same imact elsewhere ❤

[@cosmeticosraquelsantos1004]

Que fascinante está música devo ter vivido em outra época com certeza!!!❤

[@DonnEStarside]

Omg that's genius. I love learning stuff like this. 💜

[@Izzy-Maurer]

When I was singing in a wedding band, our drummer had a radio mike linked to our in-ears and would count us in, cue the band in for section changes, and so on. Can't tell you how lost we would have been without him!

[@JulieWineReason]

Wayhaey indeed, Malinda. You rock!

[@GraemeGoldthorp-f1v]

Love this lady ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ye11oman]

That's super cool. I would never have guessed

[@PhilMason1972]

The talent to do this - it’s amazing!!!

[@jasminewolfdivine]

Omg. I had no idea this was a thing! I fell out of music because I just could not always keep the lyrics in my head... 😅 this is something I totally needed!

[@douglaswasanoddduck8900]

I just realized, this is kind of like sheet music but instead of reading cues you listen to them!

[@Dashpoint_M]

We use those at church I play lead guitar so i make the click, the vocals, and the piano the loudest to know where im at Then my ear facing the drums i keep the earbud out so that in case we get off time, i can adjust accordingly Clicks are really helpful though

[@kylanxrae]

i’ve only ever played drums to a click but hearing it from a vocal perspective is super cool!

[@dovehorse9066]

I love the Atlanta City Winery! They have wonderful drag brunches hosted by Wussyvision. I wish I could’ve seen you!

[@goldenmoonlight1573]

We once put up a shadow performance that was very reliant on perfect timing from everyone. The audio cues and countdowns were lifesaving!

[@starwarslotrfan...8818]

Awesome! I love your videos!

[@shawnpatton]

Very cool to hear! Thanks for posting this

[@c_wonder]

From a church musician background, it’s cool seeing what other MDs are doing outside worship cues and arrangements

[@warriorkelly]

As a musician, I love this

[@WhiffleWaffles]

I always thought that musicians must be having some sort of thing playing in their ear pieces to help them, but someone told me that it's not the case. Glad to see this is an actual thing singers can do!

[@laurenj6771]

This is impressive that you’re able to perform so well with that sound in your ears! I absolutely hate practicing with a metronome so I never use one, the sound of it makes me wanna scream😭I usually just try to memorize the beats if I’m able to

[@memassivbeast]

This is really interesting. Thank you for the upload. I presume each musician/band could be different. I think I read somewhere that some artists have their own instruments/mics feeding into their ears as they wouldn't be able to hear them over the music/crowd.

[@xorsyst1]

This is one of those things, like computer editing, that I can understand is a real boon - but I sometimes miss the more organic sound of 70s rock. Imagine Deep Purple or Focus using a click track.

[@faerieprincess1232]

Excited for your new single, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

[@isabellamcfall5144]

Early morning worship services at church go so much easier when we started using these!!! Especially for a mom who just wants to play keys and sing some harmonies for Jesus but is too sleep deprived to remember stuff😂😂🤷‍♀️

[@Varler_]

This was super neat to learn about! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@cerrida82]

That's so cool! When I saw you live, it looked so effortless, I assumed it was similar to theatre.

[@Vanessa-ru8xw]

during practice when we're in between songs and the click for some reason is on its really fun to vibe to it

[@RedSakura1]

This is so cool to hear! ❤❤

[@paddawan_]

Interesting insight, often wondered what bands hear on their monitors, thanks!

[@siukong]

Thanks for the peek behind the scenes.

[@timbrouns87]

As a drummer for 20 years I've used this myself too. Did some concerts in the past where the live music needed to stay synchronised with pieces of film that where being projected on a huge screen. Since the orchestra was placed behind the screen we couldn't see it.

[@CowardlyShep]

That's so cool! Thank you for sharing!

[@majormushu]

Yo having something like this when i did acapella in college would have been amazing and would have significantly increased the amount of songs we could perform.

[@RaptorShadow]

And here I am singing 8-minute metal songs by memory alone.

[@wpatrickw2012]

It’s like a verbal cheat sheet

[@reclamera3390]

still not seen it enough , Love you

[@imaminidonut2792]

But it's amazing that you let us see this, thank you ya🎉

[@michaelmurphy2112]

Cool! Random stuff I didn't know I needed to know for no reason in particular.

[@Eliza-xd5ck]

Would love to see more of these!

[@KieranLeCam]

It's worth saying it depends on the performer who wants a click or not. Many performers simply play and feel the groove, or listen to one another so they don't slow down or speed up. It's traditionally a drummer's job to keep the tempo, and many drummers pride themselves on that fact! But to each their own!

[@joshp8535]

That is actually cool as hell. Why is this the first time I've ever seen something like this?

[@chaosmeisters6781]

That is so interesting, I had no idea that is what musicians hear on In ear on stage. Is that a "you" thing or a general thing? I really would love to learn more.

[@Malinda]

It’s a general thing! A lot of folk musicians opt to work without click or even in ear monitors, but it’s suuuper common.

[@tundra537]

@@Malindahaving a built in metronome must be sooooo helpful! I wish I had that for band, whew it’s gets crazy with 6 time signatures in the song 😅

[@erichusmann5145]

I volunteer for a church tech crew. I'm not always looped into the click track--for one thing, the worship team doesn't always use it, and for another my role isn't audio--but it's definitely handy when I am, and if it keeps the band working together then I'm all for it.

[@jeremyzahn8435]

I’m a drummer at a church… and IEM’s are def a huge help. I really really rely on the click to keep time when the lead guitarist wants to run away with the tempo on a slower song.

[@aarons3014]

It depends heavily on genre. Jazz and blues do a lot of improv, so they often won't use the click. But a band like Polyphia that needs all the instruments to hit notes at the same time every time, use the click in all their performances.

[@Tigercup9]

Honestly this makes me feel way better about how I’m going at open mics, like 90% of my errors would be solved with monitors lol

[@davidchess1985]

Love it! Tx for sharing this.

[@kristabradleymusic]

Love this, thanks for sharing!

[@benwillms]

That paper ball shot at 12:38 is masterful

[@curtisbrown3847]

That's awesome and great help no doubt 😊

[@ivyadair]

Ahh this is your Atlanta show! I wanted to go to that one so bad but found out about it too late. I hope you come back down here!

[@Dodl1]

Oh that's how it could work! Its so hard to stay on beat when the music sounds slightly off beat from different speakers around you, especially when they are located an strange positions! Mymy the time I had to wait for tec to try to make the one set of speakers fit for audience AND artics in small theaters...

[@DannyboyO1]

oooh. This is fantastic! ^_^