Members Locke Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Currently I'm really quite satisfied with how my band's working save for one minute detail which actually affects how we appear on stage:Our bass player is rooted to the spot and he appears to have swallowed a rifle. He doesn't even tap his foot to the beat not to mention moving otherwise. I haven't brought this up yet as we're just heading to to the studio and we won't play live until late January. However, besides live gigs we're going to attend a band contest and in that particular contest I know that they value both skill, songs AND stage antics. They might overlook just standing there if you were a world class virtuoso but, being a realist, I know none of us are even though we are good enough for the music we play. Me, the singer, and the drummer have the whole show-thing going on and we generally get really good feedback on our stage antics (besides the music, of course). Nothing special; just being into the music and movin' and groovin'. But the bass player...he might as well be a mic stand! This is not something I'd turn into a big deal because other than that he fits the band really well but since there are just three of us plus the drummer so it takes from the performance if one of us just stands there. I'm wondering how I should go about bringing this up? Has anybody here had the same problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Hmm.. I guess a start might be to just hint to everyone in the band that you want to try to keep things high energy and maybe make a joke to the bass player like "don't be afraid to move around a little" or something. If he doesn't move now, he's not going to get animated overnight so it will probably just take some steady coaxing. How long has he played out? Is it possible he isn't yet comfortable with being on stage? Depending on his personality you might be able to pull him aside (or someone in your band who feels the best personal bond with him) and just give it to him very straight but also very nicely: "Hey man, you are an awesome player and we think things are going great. I think the only thing we need to work on as a band is putting on a high energy live show. Do you think you could make an effort to get a little more animated on stage?" I guess it all depends on the guy. But direct could work and you make sure he knows you like everything else he's bringing to the table. edit: Oh, and I've had the same problem before. Actually, that person was me. I am far from a exciting dynamic performer but I used to be that guy. It's a constant improvement process. I also had an issue with a past band member but it was his clothes. He was a really easy going guy so we just gave him a hard time about it for a while and eventually me and the singer dragged him to the mall and helped him shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 I used to have this same problem, I was concentrating so hard on what I was playing that I turned into a statue. I think bringing it up in a friendly, diplomatic manner can't cause any harm unless the guy is ultra sensative. Just preface it with some compliments and point out how the rest of you are getting into the stage presence aspect of playing live. It *is* a big deal; nothing more boring than watching someone stare at their shoes all night. In my last band a turning point for me was watching videos of our live performances; I noticed the other guys hopping around and having fun while I was hiding in the corner. I realized that even tho I thought I was doing alright with the performance aspect, at best I was just head bobbing a little. Try that route, if you can get some performances on video you can all watch it back and politely point these things out. I also got some pointers when a promoter came to one of our gigs to check us out to see if there was any interest; after complimenting me on my skills and accuracy, he went on to point out that people are there to be entertained and want to see "rock stars" up there. Since I had the music down then next thing to do is take it to the next level and become part of the show, not just a static piece of stage scenery. I pointed out that I dont consider myself a "rock star" but he pointed out that it's all about perception; if you look like you believe in yourself and what you are doing then the audiance will pick up on that. Stage presence is not to be overlooked. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by Locke Currently I'm really quite satisfied with how my band's working save for one minute detail which actually affects how we appear on stage:Our bass player is rooted to the spot and he appears to have swallowed a rifle. He doesn't even tap his foot to the beat not to mention moving otherwise. It worked for John Entwistle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lee Flier Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by Tedster It worked for John Entwistle. And Bill Wyman. I think it's funny when you have a band that's otherwise very animated have one member who just stands there. It might even be emphasized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rim Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 I totally agree with the suggestion of seeing a video performance of the band. The first time I did it with an old band, it was a huge learning experience. The whole band looked way too serious. If your bass player is uncomfortable moving around, have him smile. Even if he just stands there but with a smile on his face, it will improve his stage presence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by rim I totally agree with the suggestion of seeing a video performance of the band. The first time I did it with an old band, it was a huge learning experience. The whole band looked way too serious.If your bass player is uncomfortable moving around, have him smile. Even if he just stands there but with a smile on his face, it will improve his stage presence. Good call...eye contact is important to. Connect with that audiance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members roabre999 Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 I agree with the smiling. Sometimes it works to have one person being "the rock" really holding everything down while the rest of the band goes bananas. If he's smiling and enjoying himself, maybe play off him or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Badside Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Yeah, I have the same problem with my drummer, he's sitting behind his kit the whole show Just kidding, actually it's quite the opposite, the drummer in my band is always doing stuff to keep people's attention and he does stand up and move away from his kit when the material allows it. As mentionned earlier, a video if one of the best reality check for a band. I've learned so much stuff from looking at a video. I used to be ashamed of myself after looking at the tape and it gave me a kick in the back to work on my stage antics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Roy Brooks Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Most stage antics are ghey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vanlatte Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by Roy Brooks Most stage antics are ghey. Are you talking about stage presence or gimmicks? Stage presence doesnt have to mean being over the top...it can be as simple as making eye contact with the audience and groovin' a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by vanlatte Are you talking about stage presence or gimmicks?Stage presence doesnt have to mean being over the top...it can be as simple as making eye contact with the audience and groovin' a little. eye contact is ghey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar Centaur Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 One word: Remote control electronic zapper suppository. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jimi Ray Halen Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 There's a big difference between being able to play songs and being a performer. It's something that comes with time. I was the same way, just trying not to make mistakes and be accurate. I didn't even smile. Friends and bandmates kicked me in the ass and so I consciously worked on it using a mirror at home. And I got to the point where I could put some showmanship into it and still play accurately. Well, for the most part anyway. It's still a work in progress. I played with a guitarist for awhile who thought he was in Judas Priest or something. His stage antics made him sloppy and that made me be the "rock" that stayed with the drummer and bass player. Which meant I couldn't relax and work on my stage presence. He dressed goofily too, like an 80's hair band dude or something. He'd just show up in leather pants and a ripped shirt and spiked hair or something and act the fool. If you are thin and 21 you can pull this look off. Not so much when you are past 40 and have a little beer gut. So they kicked him out. Which left me doing all the guitar parts. Which kept me from loosening up because I had to play twice as much. I think that in the end, while everyone should be animated to a point and smile and act like you're having a good time, it's up to the frontman to draw the attention. If you have an entertaing and active front person then the rest of the band gets a little slack. I've seen a lot of great bands where the frontman was the main show and the rest of the band didn't move much. STP comes to mind. But that doesn't mean that when it's time to play a solo you should hide behind your amp. George Lynch did this. Actually he faced the drummer each time. Pissed all the guitarists off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rekel Posted November 25, 2005 Members Share Posted November 25, 2005 Originally posted by Lee Flier I think it's funny when you have a band that's otherwise very animated have one member who just stands there. It might even be emphasized. IIRC, that was one of the gimmicks The Sparks used, although it happened to be the (sitting) keyboards player in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members madjack Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Watched a bass player once who used this to great effect. He had that Buckingham Palace guard thing down. He made great eye contact, but never moved at all, never changed expression at all. He had more attention than the rest of the band who were groovin to the tunes. Actually made for a very good show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pretaanluxis Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Remind him that the crowd is there to see you perform, not to hear your music (if you want to hear you they'll buy your album). Tell him the band needs more energy...to get the crowd involved and having a good time, ask him for suggestions. On the other hand he might be a nice contrast, which makes your stage act stand-out more (as in the case of Finger Eleven...really acrobatic guitarists but frozen bass player) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JBJ Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 it does come with time. our bass player used to stare across the stage and not even look at the crowd. now you can't stop him bouncing about after a couple of beers. the smiling thing is the most important though. i was doing a cover gig at a party and one of the gusy came up to me and said, you can break a smile any time you feel like it and it totally became apparent to me that when you're expresionaless on stage, you look bored and not into it now i always make a conscious effort to smile either at the crowd or other band members. it makes it look like you're enjoying yourself (which you should be) and works the crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nobody Told Me Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Originally posted by pretaanluxis On the other hand he might be a nice contrast, which makes your stage act stand-out more (as in the case of Finger Eleven...really acrobatic guitarists but frozen bass player) I hear you! I saw Finger Eleven and was amazed at the stage presence of the guitar players. Seems like Rick Jackett spent more time with his axe in the air than around his neck, but his playing was dead on. Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Originally posted by Lee Flier And Bill Wyman. I think it's funny when you have a band that's otherwise very animated have one member who just stands there. It might even be emphasized. A bassist I work with occ. is very much "the statue" on-stage...I just incorporate that aspect about him into my spiel when introducing the band members by saying something like "Yes, in spite of appearences, Herbie is not frozen or stuffed - he really is alive!...we just bet him he couldn't go the entire gig without smiling and the sucker'll do ANYTHING to win, so please make him laugh or something so I won't have to cough up the quarter!" It always gets a laugh and there's no problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Originally posted by Rekel IIRC, that was one of the gimmicks The Sparks used, although it happened to be the (sitting) keyboards player in this case. Wasn't that the guy w/ the "sorta-Hitler" mustache and eye-liner, or am I thinking of someone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rekel Posted November 26, 2005 Members Share Posted November 26, 2005 Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall Wasn't that the guy w/ the "sorta-Hitler" mustache and eye-liner, or am I thinking of someone else? Yeah, that was him alright It was very funny when the camera zoomed in on his face and then he sort of produced a strange kind of grin. Quite scary actually . I thought it was a cool act, though Edit: I just found out his name is Ron Mael although they describe his moustache as "Charlie Chaplin like". Here is a picture of him. Go to "idiosyncracies" and click on "the moustache game". And here as well. (scroll down) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Greazygeo Posted November 27, 2005 Members Share Posted November 27, 2005 The bands that have to jump around and *be into it* normally have very little musically going on.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Locke Posted November 27, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2005 Thanks for all the posts folks. I think I'll mention it to him but if he doesn't start moving more it's not that big of a deal. It'll most likely come in time. Originally posted by Greazygeo The bands that have to jump around and *be into it* normally have very little musically going on.... Try picturing Red Hot Chili Peppers playing their gigs just standing still. Or Primus or Slayer or even The Rolling Stones. Would take away from their stage appeal, no? Besides the fact that our music is agressive rock, none of us are virtuosos like Al Dimeola or John McLaughlin (both of whom, incidentally, DO move to the music quite a bit). Then again, even the virtuosos run around and move to the music; you saying Michael Brecker, John Scofield, and Mike Stern have very little going on musically? My bet is that their music has more going on than mine and yours put together. Anyway, I sometimes get bored at a Spyro Gyra show; fancy chords are interesting for only so long before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members b-lance Posted November 28, 2005 Members Share Posted November 28, 2005 My band and I had our first gig this saturday.i saw a video early tonight, and i was the only one that even moved!Our bassist and other guitarist just sort of swayed back and forth. Our drummer bobbed his head.meanwhile, i lost my strap COMPLETELY off the guitar 3 times, engaged the crowd, and broke all my strings at the end climax while having my guitar have sex with my speaker cab. i was spot on. the other guitarist looked way intimidated and subdued we play Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai type instrumental stuff....but man, move around a bit! its more fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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