The Choo-Choo Train Theory
Imagine a train coming into the station-the engine is pulling a lot of cars, a lot of weight. It takes awhile for the train to come to a halt; it has to “start stopping” a certain amount of time before it actually does. This is analogous to the ending of a song. In order to bring a song comfortably and satisfyingly to a close, we need to do it gradually.
The longer the song, the longer the ending should be. A quick song can end quite abruptly and the audience doesn’t mind, as in a short children’s ditty like “London Bridge is Falling Down.” It starts, it continues, it stops, it’s over, no one gets hurt.
When a song has gone on for two or three minutes, it’s another matter entirely. We must design some kind of extended-conclusion, transporting the listener happily home.
Leading the way to this conclusion takes the form of a very committed musical offer, so that another improvisor (an accompanist or another actor) can easily join you. There’s no room for subtlety here-use your voice and your body to show your intention.
The most transparent, easy-to-follow thing you can do is repeat the last line of your song either twice or three times, and on the last time, sloooow down gradually to the finish line. Just like the choo-choo: start stopping, continue stopping, then finnnaaallly STOP.
This will sound quite professional musically and you’ll be a joy to sing or play with, for anyone else involved. TO BE CONTINUED…
