Okay I've set this poll up out of sheer curiosity. Do you guys ever jump about while playing the bass...I tried doing that when I'm really hyper but its kinda hard sometimes..Are there any secrets to jumping while playing the bass flawlessly?

CHEERS!

The only people I've seen who jump around while playing the bass are generally terrible. So I don't know about playing "flawlessly"...

Originally posted by BassSaxMan
The only people I've seen who jump around while playing the bass are generally terrible. So I don't know about playing "flawlessly"...

I jump around and play adaequately, the problem is I usually hit people :eek:

Jump when there's a break in the music, there aren't any real secrets. Its nigh impossible to be in the air, play bass, and land without injury, so don't try.

I started jumping around while playing when I joined the band that I'm in now. It just seemed innapropriate to be standing perfectly still while playing energetic music. I too have a problem with hitting people, but its usually just the singer :p. Actually, I did almost seriously injure him with the headstock once. You've gotta watch that.

As for tips, I'm not sure. My lines aren't overly complicated, so I have no problem.

Originally posted by cone41
Are there any secrets to jumping while playing the bass flawlessly?


Yes. The secret is to practice your "jumping around" technique to the point where it's completely automatic, and worry about your bass playing later. You'd think it would be the other way around, but this is the truth. Why? Because once you've mastered your jumping technique, you can devote all of your energy to playing the bass without worrying about whether or not you look cool since you'll already know that you're kicking loads of visual @$$ and exuding oodles of confident stage presence.

I mean, think about it - what would be worse: Falling down on stage from a mistimed jump, or missing a note or two? When looked at from this perspective, it becomes obvious that proper jumping technique is paramount.

hey d00dz i once flung my bazz backwards while jumping :cool:




also: mental image of Chris Fitz jumping with his DB is priceless :D

The only people I've seen who jump around while playing the bass are generally terrible.
Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

Originally posted by Flea 1

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

He's good but I don't think he's one of the greastest, just my opinion.

I did a perfect hip check to get rid of annoying twat who kept getting on the stage while we were playing. Sent him flying and I didn't miss a note but my strap came loose so I had to stop for a second to fix it. That was during a show in Montreal with Doom (for a day). There's pictures at www.woundedpaw.com so you can see the crazy punks in Montreal for yourself.

Originally posted by Flea 1

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

I have seen them live. and when he does jump around to much..... guess what,,,, he sucks. he's a good player. but music doesnt have anything to do with you looking cool and jumping around like a dumb@$$. "LOOK AT ME! NOT THE SINGER! LOOK AT ME! NOT THE SINGER!"

**** yeah I jump around while I play. When you practice your songs with your band, practice jumping and playing. Then pretty soon, you'll be able to both at the same time flawlessly.

www.moderndaysupplement.com

Only if I desperately need to go to the bathroom.

Originally posted by XavierG
Only if I desperately need to go to the bathroom.

:D

Originally posted by XavierG
Only if I desperately need to go to the bathroom.

Oh god man, that made my day. i'm sitting here almost craping my pants.

You really shouldn't be thinking about jumping...should be second nature, just a result of your energy. And obviously you don't jump around when doing complicated bass solos or anything.

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald


Yes. The secret is to practice your "jumping around" technique to the point where it's completely automatic, and worry about your bass playing later. You'd think it would be the other way around, but this is the truth. Why? Because once you've mastered your jumping technique, you can devote all of your energy to playing the bass without worrying about whether or not you look cool since you'll already know that you're kicking loads of visual @$$ and exuding oodles of confident stage presence.

I mean, think about it - what would be worse: Falling down on stage from a mistimed jump, or missing a note or two? When looked at from this perspective, it becomes obvious that proper jumping technique is paramount.

Here are some other tips that I use:

1) Practice with ankle weights. Let's face it, your bass is probably going to be, (assuming your cool), slung down to just about knee-level. While it's hard to simulate that without the bass on, (and EVERYONE knows you should first practice without your bass on, you wouldn't want to damage that expensive bass, right?), you can get a similar effect with the ankle weights. Don't get too heavy ones though, or else the first time you take them off you'll go right through the roof!!!

2) Proper back technique. Pay extra special attention to this. Since your bass will be at about calf level, (let's be honest, only dorks have it as high as their knees), you'll need to dramatically hunch over, unless you're built like a weak-kneed contortionist. Trust me, it's not easy to have your back hunched over, focus on slapping the shiznit out of your bass, and keep your hair out of your eyes.

3) Get a huge mirror. Look, let's just be frank, if you don't look good playing, you don't sound good playing. It's just as simple as that. If you can't see yourself doing this, how do you know you look cool enough. You could also videotape yourself.

4) Are you wearing heavy clothes? Doc Martens, other heavy boots. Chains, dog collars, metal, spikes, chainmail? Anything like this is going to weigh you down. Dress light. Dark colors, (which look cooler anyway), are lighter, everyone knows that. Wear lots of black.

5) How heavy is your bass? Speaking of heavy clothes, when your bass is slung down around your ankles, (I mean, c'mon, who wears it as high as their calves anymore? Dorks! That's who!), you don't want some heavy Fender or sumthin' down der. Represent.

6) Use transparent stickers. Don't, I repeat, DO NOT, use sparkly stickers. Picture this, you're playing your butt off, you're loud, in charge, slapping quicker and shaking more than Michael J. Fox having an orgasm during an 8.5 earthquake, your bass is slung down below your feet and up around your back, and your shiny stickers elude the fog machine, with the disco light, and catch your eye at the right angle. You're going down quicker than Monica Lewinsky with a high ankle sprain. Be very careful.

7) Play LOUD! I'm assuming you're using two 810s. You should be anyway. If you turn it to e-lev-en, then the stage will shake and rumble while you slap the crap out of your low B string, (please tell me you ARE playing a 5 string bass!), and the shaking will help you get lift.

8) Try practicing on a trampoline. This time-honored method is really going to test your focus at extreme heights.

Good luck. God speed.

hey Jazzbo

what about "rhytmic jumping"?

I mean, do you have any tips about that??

like jumping on the 2nd and 4th beats (on a 4/4)

1&2&3&4

metronome suggested??

I sing in my band so i really don't get much of a chance to, but when I do, I generally nail my poor guitar player so usually I don't and if I do, it's at the end of a song

Originally posted by PollyBass


Oh god man, that made my day. i'm sitting here almost craping my pants.

So, you can relate huh? Hammer-ons take on a whole new meaning when you're bouncing around in agony, holding on to your crotch for dear life with your plucking/picking hand, all while trying not to miss a note and still appear to be in complete control. Try that while playing a samba - very strange image.

The poll should have the option "Yes, but only when completely loaded". As I don't see too many church bands jumping around. If you do jump around sober you may well be a poser. Maybe members of the Chilli Peppers jump around sober, I don't know but remember people they've had more drugs than we'll probably see in a lifetime.

Jump around? Usually on the last song of the night, we'll do some energetic song, and I'll run out on the dance floor and jump around and spin in circles.

Why? Cuz it's fun and I like to end the show with ENERGY!!!! (our band is called NRG)

Can I play flawlessly while doing this? Hell no!! Can I sacrifice "flawless" for the last 20 seconds of a song, for the sheer fun and entertainment? Hell ya!!



:D

Originally posted by XavierG


So, you can relate huh? Hammer-ons take on a whole new meaning when you're bouncing around in agony, holding on to your crotch for dear life with your plucking/picking hand, all while trying not to miss a note and still appear to be in complete control. Try that while playing a samba - very strange image.

you know what? that mental picture came all to clearly for some reason. and it distrubed me.....

Yeah I do, depending on what i play. Sunday night church service I do, because the music is pretty energetic and if I don't jump around and use up some of that energy that's inside me, I will end up trying to use it all on the bass, and bass playing without restraint is not always good. I can't play really well and jump around at the same time, so i tend to only play simpler stuff if I feel like jumping around.

If i am playing something else, something more funky for instance, I will dance around a bit, but nothing too energetic.

Usually I just headbang (god isn't that just SOOOO retro ?) to the music rather than make an arse of myself jumping around like a fish out of water.

Oh yeah , Flea does not "suck" to put it into your own vernacular PollyBass. Just felt Flea fans should be heard
:D

Originally posted by JUSTBOUNCE


Here are some other tips that I use:

1) Practice with ankle weights. Let's face it, your bass is probably going to be, (assuming your cool), slung down to just about knee-level. While it's hard to simulate that without the bass on, (and EVERYONE knows you should first practice without your bass on, you wouldn't want to damage that expensive bass, right?), you can get a similar effect with the ankle weights. Don't get too heavy ones though, or else the first time you take them off you'll go right through the roof!!!

2) Proper back technique. Pay extra special attention to this. Since your bass will be at about calf level, (let's be honest, only dorks have it as high as their knees), you'll need to dramatically hunch over, unless you're built like a weak-kneed contortionist. Trust me, it's not easy to have your back hunched over, focus on slapping the shiznit out of your bass, and keep your hair out of your eyes.

3) Get a huge mirror. Look, let's just be frank, if you don't look good playing, you don't sound good playing. It's just as simple as that. If you can't see yourself doing this, how do you know you look cool enough. You could also videotape yourself.

4) Are you wearing heavy clothes? Doc Martens, other heavy boots. Chains, dog collars, metal, spikes, chainmail? Anything like this is going to weigh you down. Dress light. Dark colors, (which look cooler anyway), are lighter, everyone knows that. Wear lots of black.

5) How heavy is your bass? Speaking of heavy clothes, when your bass is slung down around your ankles, (I mean, c'mon, who wears it as high as their calves anymore? Dorks! That's who!), you don't want some heavy Fender or sumthin' down der. Represent.

6) Use transparent stickers. Don't, I repeat, DO NOT, use sparkly stickers. Picture this, you're playing your butt off, you're loud, in charge, slapping quicker and shaking more than Michael J. Fox having an orgasm during an 8.5 earthquake, your bass is slung down below your feet and up around your back, and your shiny stickers elude the fog machine, with the disco light, and catch your eye at the right angle. You're going down quicker than Monica Lewinsky with a high ankle sprain. Be very careful.

7) Play LOUD! I'm assuming you're using two 810s. You should be anyway. If you turn it to e-lev-en, then the stage will shake and rumble while you slap the crap out of your low B string, (please tell me you ARE playing a 5 string bass!), and the shaking will help you get lift.

8) Try practicing on a trampoline. This time-honored method is really going to test your focus at extreme heights.

Good luck. God speed.


Now THAT is about as complete an answer as you'll find here at TB. Make a note, guys and gals. Isn't Jazzbo handy to have around?

I have only one thing to add to this: Make sure your Tabs are affixed to your PERSON or your BASS while you're jumping, or disaster could ensue. Picture this - you're pistoning up and down like mad, but your Tabs are attached by a piece of duct tape to your mic stand or your wedge monitor...you think you'll still be able to see them? No way, Jose. This is why I like to have Tabs for the more difficult passages I'll be playing tattooed onto the underside of my left forarm. This way, they'll be moving up and down with me as I jump, and will appear stationary to my eyes since my eyes will be moving at the same speed. Looks great, and works like a charm.

also: mental image of Chris Fitz jumping with his DB is priceless



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!.......True.:D

Rockin' out is all good, but I've always thought literally jumping/bouncing around was fruity.

i have been jumping around with my band for about 3 months...and i have it down pretty well...on songs where i have more complicated basslines...i will walk around...but on simpler, faster songs i am known to jump around...

bp13

Yes yes yes, we must all dress conservatively and remain perfectly still, in order to avoid any vulgar displays of showmanship. Wipe that smile off your face and get over the notion that music should be "fun"... it's serious business!

Seriously, though: it's typically a matter of doing what is expected and appropriate for the performance location and style of music. My number one band plays mostly Motown and blues. But we play in bars, not concert halls. Also, it's just four of us... we're not backing the Temptations or Marvin Gaye, we've gotta do the visuals ourselves (no, we don't do any choreographed dance steps, we usually have no room for that anyway).

Yes, our #1 focus is the music, but the bottom line is that sometimes it isn't enough to just throw down the aural groove; visuals can and do make a huge difference as well. Our singer moves well and is an entertaining MC, and I try to do my part visually. I am not especially handsome or graceful or coordinated, but I try to dance and move around to the music as much as I can... if I have room I'll throw in a bounce or jump for emphasis. I always enjoy gigging, but I try to make that apparent to the crowd, even when the crowd isn't warmed up yet. And it isn't to call attention to myself, it's so that the crowd can see that the entire band is enthusiastic about our music. It's easy to feed off of a good crowd, but sometimes you have to get the crowd to feed off of you.

This seems to be a popular subject, I guess I have a slightly different take on it...
There was a time when I thought that if you didn't go off, you weren't taking the music seriously. I started out playing in hardcore bands where going completely insane was just expected. At the time, if I saw a band that was just standing there then I just thought they didn't believe in their music. It wasn't about performance, it was about enjoying the music together - the kids on the floor were just as much a part of what was going on as the band on the stage... To me, when I go off, it's not about "oh, look at me, I'm going crazy, I'm cool" it's just a natural reaction to the music. And I'm not on anything... Granted, there are parts where I have to slow down and concentrate more on my playing.
Anyway, I've grown up a little bit (a little) and I realize you don't have to jump around to be serious. Some people prefer to focus on playing as flawlessly as possible, which is cool. And some people just don't feel like jumping around. If rocking out or whatever isn't how you enjoy or react to music, then don't force it...
Just my .02...

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald



Now THAT is about as complete an answer as you'll find here at TB. Make a note, guys and gals. Isn't Jazzbo handy to have around?

I have only one thing to add to this: Make sure your Tabs are affixed to your PERSON or your BASS while you're jumping, or disaster could ensue. Picture this - you're pistoning up and down like mad, but your Tabs are attached by a piece of duct tape to your mic stand or your wedge monitor...you think you'll still be able to see them? No way, Jose. This is why I like to have Tabs for the more difficult passages I'll be playing tattooed onto the underside of my left forarm. This way, they'll be moving up and down with me as I jump, and will appear stationary to my eyes since my eyes will be moving at the same speed. Looks great, and works like a charm.

I'm dyin' over here. :D :D :D

SpazFlow's response was priceless and this just added that extra zip.. like Miracle Whip.

:) mmmmmmmmmmmm i cant really be assed with the jumping but ive worked out that standing and like playing the **** out ya bass - doing a few nifty moves on postiton on ya bass , its always a good laf to do ya down striking with ya pic down the thread of the string ( duno the real term) its good fun doing it with the guitarist show em the bassist can do the ****er too , i also backing sing so i have the stand/mic a few paces away so i get good headbanging space
you have to say that sometyms its the bands image that sells em too ,

Been a while since I was in a band but when my former band played live I kind of just stood there headbanging. Afterwards when I saw the tape I always though; damn I must move around more on stage. The next time I usually took some steps forward or something alike and just continued banging my head :).

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald


Yes. The secret is to practice your "jumping around" technique to the point where it's completely automatic, and worry about your bass playing later. You'd think it would be the other way around, but this is the truth. Why? Because once you've mastered your jumping technique, you can devote all of your energy to playing the bass without worrying about whether or not you look cool since you'll already know that you're kicking loads of visual @$$ and exuding oodles of confident stage presence.

I mean, think about it - what would be worse: Falling down on stage from a mistimed jump, or missing a note or two? When looked at from this perspective, it becomes obvious that proper jumping technique is paramount.

darn you skitzed fritzgerald, i had it all backwards, here you are telling me all this good advice about theory and such, and the whole time i was supposed to be learning my jumping techniques.....thanks alot man, thanks a whole lot.

Originally posted by PollyBass


I have seen them live. and when he does jump around to much..... guess what,,,, he sucks. he's a good player. but music doesnt have anything to do with you looking cool and jumping around like a dumb@$$. "LOOK AT ME! NOT THE SINGER! LOOK AT ME! NOT THE SINGER!"

total agreement here!!!
I dont think he one of the greatest! IMO Timmy C of RaTM, is better! Is technique is more immaculate, and he doesnt jump around too much taking the attention off of the front-man! i do know they broke up, but i got the vids, so i'm making an example!

Guilty. I'm a jumper. But not in a pogo stick sense. More like a emphasize a cool punch style.

In other words, when you jump during a song, timing is EVERYTHING!

For example, I always try to land on the beat, be it 1 2 3 4 5 whatever. Does it always happen? Not always. Most of the time. And when I nail it, it's quite cool. But those times when I'm way off, like on the way up when I'm supposed to hit on the 1 (late takeoff!), it's quite lame. The good thing is I can do it w/o missing a note. It's just funny to be in the air when you're wanting to be on the ground.

I've tried to hit the apex of my jump on a 1 2 3 4, whatever, but have found that that's quite tougher than hitting the ground in time.

YMMV.

Jumping is cool. Just do it in moderation. Don't distract too much from the rest of the guys. Keep a balanced stage show. Remember Pearl Jam at the MTV awards a while ago? Jeff Ament running around the stage while the other dudes pretty much stayed nailed to their spots? Distracting. Don't be distracting.

:D

But let's not forget John Entwistle. Never moved a muscle besides his fingers but was a large part of the powerhouse that was The WHO. I say 'was' because I can't see someone replacing him and it still being the same band even though they continued on without him.

i sometimes jump around, but only if we're playing really well

i always groove and move to the music, and when it gets to the really good bits i can't help but jump a bit and when i do i don't have any problems playing, mind you though, i'm not really jumping that high, it's more of an exagerated bounce :p

l8rz

Tom

Tip 1: If you play with you fingers and play with the floation thumb method, try learning the anchored thumb if you going to be jumping around. It helps.

Tip 2: Possible the most important tip of all, GET IN SHAPE.

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald


Yes. The secret is to practice your "jumping around" technique to the point where it's completely automatic, and worry about your bass playing later. You'd think it would be the other way around, but this is the truth. Why? Because once you've mastered your jumping technique, you can devote all of your energy to playing the bass without worrying about whether or not you look cool since you'll already know that you're kicking loads of visual @$$ and exuding oodles of confident stage presence.

I mean, think about it - what would be worse: Falling down on stage from a mistimed jump, or missing a note or two? When looked at from this perspective, it becomes obvious that proper jumping technique is paramount.

I agree! At least this method works for me.

Proper footwear is often overlooked also. I've found that high top tennis shoes offer the support thats needed for todays high energy music.

Pkr2

Originally posted by Flea 1

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

thats very true flea may be the exception to the rule who knows he doesnt wear high top tennis shoes so i dont know if hes all that or not maybepkr2

Originally posted by jazzbo
Picture this... Michael J. Fox having an orgasm during an 8.5 earthquake.

jesus the sarcasm is rampant today.




d-uh :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Flea 1

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

He's good, but definatly not a great.

Originally posted by jazzbo


Here are some other tips that I use:

1) Practice with ankle weights. Let's face it, your bass is probably going to be, (assuming your cool), slung down to just about knee-level. While it's hard to simulate that without the bass on, (and EVERYONE knows you should first practice without your bass on, you wouldn't want to damage that expensive bass, right?), you can get a similar effect with the ankle weights. Don't get too heavy ones though, or else the first time you take them off you'll go right through the roof!!!

2) Proper back technique. Pay extra special attention to this. Since your bass will be at about calf level, (let's be honest, only dorks have it as high as their knees), you'll need to dramatically hunch over, unless you're built like a weak-kneed contortionist. Trust me, it's not easy to have your back hunched over, focus on slapping the shiznit out of your bass, and keep your hair out of your eyes.

3) Get a huge mirror. Look, let's just be frank, if you don't look good playing, you don't sound good playing. It's just as simple as that. If you can't see yourself doing this, how do you know you look cool enough. You could also videotape yourself.

4) Are you wearing heavy clothes? Doc Martens, other heavy boots. Chains, dog collars, metal, spikes, chainmail? Anything like this is going to weigh you down. Dress light. Dark colors, (which look cooler anyway), are lighter, everyone knows that. Wear lots of black.

5) How heavy is your bass? Speaking of heavy clothes, when your bass is slung down around your ankles, (I mean, c'mon, who wears it as high as their calves anymore? Dorks! That's who!), you don't want some heavy Fender or sumthin' down der. Represent.

6) Use transparent stickers. Don't, I repeat, DO NOT, use sparkly stickers. Picture this, you're playing your butt off, you're loud, in charge, slapping quicker and shaking more than Michael J. Fox having an orgasm during an 8.5 earthquake, your bass is slung down below your feet and up around your back, and your shiny stickers elude the fog machine, with the disco light, and catch your eye at the right angle. You're going down quicker than Monica Lewinsky with a high ankle sprain. Be very careful.

7) Play LOUD! I'm assuming you're using two 810s. You should be anyway. If you turn it to e-lev-en, then the stage will shake and rumble while you slap the crap out of your low B string, (please tell me you ARE playing a 5 string bass!), and the shaking will help you get lift.

8) Try practicing on a trampoline. This time-honored method is really going to test your focus at extreme heights.

Good luck. God speed.

LMFAO!!!

This had me rolling on the floor. Embarassing, when you're at work. :)

Originally posted by Flea 1

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers jumps about and does whattever else he does you cant call him terrible now can you he's one of the worlds greatest bassists.

One of the world's greatest? :rolleyes:

i jump. Gets me more pumped up and the crowd

No. And great post, jazzbo!

7) Play LOUD! I'm assuming you're using two 810s. You should be anyway. If you turn it to e-lev-en, then the stage will shake and rumble while you slap the crap out of your low B string, (please tell me you ARE playing a 5 string bass!), and the shaking will help you get lift.

hEy jAzZbO i aM oNlY uSiNg 3 2x18s sO aRe u SaYiNg i sUcK aT bAsE? wElL nO, yOu SuCk cUz i aM bEtTeR tHaN yOu i cAn tElL jUsT fRoM lOoKiNg aT uR sToOpiD aViTar ThAt u SuCk. u ShUd tAkE uP tRyAnGeL InStEd.

:D

Originally posted by lildrgn

Jumping is cool. Just do it in moderation. Don't distract too much from the rest of the guys. Keep a balanced stage show. Remember Pearl Jam at the MTV awards a while ago? Jeff Ament running around the stage while the other dudes pretty much stayed nailed to their spots? Distracting. Don't be distracting.

:D

You say potato, I say ROCK STAR. :D Seriously, I enjoyed Jeff's playing in both Mother Love Bone and Pearl Jam, but when I saw that performance of 'Animal' on the VMAs, Mr. Ament went from being one of my favorite bassists to one of my favorite rock stars as well.

all the time! i am like FLEA and all of At the Drive-In in one! ;)

iggy:D

I prefer a rowing machine or a Stairmaster.

hey dudes :cool:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=762892

D00d! You are like totally right!

I used to, but after hearing a live recording of myself at a show, I soon realized that I was sloppy as all hell. So, I stopped. Fun, yes, but I'd rather compromise jumping for solid bass playing. :)

i sure as hell jump around!...im the singer for my band as well, and man its so much fun jumping around and playing and having to sing as well(the only stuff i jump around to is punk stuff)...but i cant really jump around in like some really hard chili's song or something....but ive been told i looked cool when we were playing(for a school music performace thingy) Naked In The Rain(by the chili peppers) and i managed to squeeze a jump in!!..

Originally posted by Dave Castelo
hey dudes :cool:


D3WD! You have no feet! How do you jump with no feet?

Originally posted by Dave Castelo
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=762892

There you have it, proof that jumping with the bass is in fact kewl. I believe this case is closed.

p.s. Dave your photoshop pictures are so great, everytime there is a new one, it always seems to end up my new background. Bravo. :D

i play my bass with rollerskates on while doing backflips.

honestly,i do jump around while i play, i dont plan it though, when my band plays we get the crowd so pumped up that the crowd pumps us up that i do odd things, such as jumping,crowd surfing, jumpin from high objects etc. But to me bass playing always comes first,weather it be soloing in my metal band, keeping the tempo with my skaa band or laying down some cool riffs in the jazz band.
- Ryan

When I was in my last band, which was a hybrid Hardcore/Punk/Rock group, we all used to throw down pretty damn hard. It was a ton of fun, loads of energy. I'm too damn overweight to do that stuff now. Though there will be a healthy dose of funky struttin' going on whenever I make it to the stage again, I can't help it, I'm a total ham.

Uh,,, guys, the poll, at the time of me looking at it,,, is 50/50 on the dot.... little weird....

Originally posted by PollyBass
Uh,,, guys, the poll, at the time of me looking at it,,, is 50/50 on the dot.... little weird....

Haha, you can thank me for that!! I just voted. I usually jump only on the enegetic songs (ie: My Friends Over You-NFG, stuff like that). But during the more complex songs I'll just kinda groove with it.

jump on energetic songs! one problem, I was jumping around the first or second practice with a new band, and I think I scared them. or really amazed them, I'm not sure which. But while jumping, my glasses flew across the room, and about 30 seconds later, I ripped the strap pin and screw right out of my brand new bass. But I caught it before it hit the ground, propped it against my leg, and kept rockin! I suprisingly didn't miss a note. That really amazed me. I'm usually horrible, I thought jumping around would be worse.

I voted no cuz I'm 41 and well nuf said. That and you guys must be playing bigger places than we are. On the largest stage we play, if I turn to the right I hit the drummers symbal. Turn to the left the sax man gets a headstock in his ear. Jump around? I think not. Oh well

Man, I LoooooooooOOoooOOooOOooOOoOVE this thread! :D

of course i do, thats why i got my wireless. i recommend you jump around when theres a break in the music, when youre doubling guitar (not too hard) and fairly easy passages of music. i do not recommend jumping around during odd time or tapping solos... bad experiences. also just dont stand around at practice. later

I think you are reading to much into it. :D

Jump when ya wanna, who cares if you look like a loser, you ARE the band, not the crowd. I am one of those people that could careless what others think, which isnt always a good thing. ;)

Man, I'm sore as hell from jumping around at practice last night! Haha.

Wow, this one is actually real close! :eek: Jumpin' around is in the lead.

oh, and dont forget to hit your singer with your bass and knock some stuff over and set it on fire. NOW we're talking rockstar!

i do jump around i guess but not like up and down, up and down, up and down etc.

i have parts of the songs where it just seems to be the perfect time to jump up up and kinda stomp my feet back down. like one of the songs my band plays on stage has a little pause........and then comes bk with like a thump. landing on that thump makes me smile inside. this might sound sad but me and the two guitarist spent one whole monday nailing that till we had it perfect everytime....it was worth it because when i watch it back i feel really cool inside. sad i know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there is times where you can jump/mess around tooooo much. like in the Goldfinger video for Mable. the front man just looks like a complete fool just bouncing around at any random moment!

That is a lot harder than walking and chewing gum simultaneously. One manager of a band I was in was trying to get me to move around more onstage but my top priority was keeping the bass line in one piece (this was in the days when Kip Winger was prominent!).

Wow this thread went on longer than I expect it would.

*thread dies*

Jump = no

Headbang = yes

I see jumping as a correlation to "Punk"..which I hate. Just looks stupid when people jump up and down with their bass at their knees... :rolleyes:

isnt it harder to headbang and play the right stuff than to occasionally jump around? i cant see and i cant coordinate when im headbanging.

when im doing a gig with the punk-rock band im in and the crowds really getting into it then jumping around just seems to happen, mainly only when the riff comes back in though. The rest of the time I tend to just spin around or slap my bass way too hard. Ive seen video and I dont look as stupid as you might think!

I cringed when I saw how hard I was slapping my brand new bass though....

When Im playing in the funk band I tend to just bob, and concentrate a whole lot more on playing.

Originally posted by evilbrian9
*thread dies*


thread dies hard... with a vengance.

i don't stand still, but i don't jump either. sorta "sway to the music" :D

Originally posted by john turner
i don't stand still, but i don't jump either. sorta "sway to the music" :D


I'd like to see you jump with that double neck... it would probably smack you in the face. :p

i didnt know prog bassists where allowed to post here....:D

I tried headbanging for 15 minutes during practice and gave myself whiplash - took nearly a week to recover.

I jump around. I think it looks cool but the rest of the band is about twice my age soooo. The drummer is a wild man. I think he has ADD. He's still cool. The jumping thing can suck cause it's easy to hit other musicians or maybe get hurt. I suggest practicing jumpingt like everyone else said. It's weird but the more I move around the worse I play but!!! The more I move the better I get progressivly. It's like you don't have to worry about playing bass because it's so automatic that you can worry about hitting other people.

Here is a funny story. Playing in a really cool town in kansan/nebraske border(I know it sounds impossible) Three girls jumped up on stage and started dancing. I thought sweet, hot chicks! Then BOOM! They grabbed me. I was just trying to hold the groove. Security came pretty fast and saved me. I impressed a lot of people, might have been the underwear I was wearing or the fact that I didn't miss a note.I became friends with the security guy and I've got all of the girls phone numbers. cool huh?

jt, my band nicknamed me "sway"

it's really not all that hard to jump around and play, the only trick is that you have to ake your parts simple enough to do it, because of you can't play well and jump around then just stick to playing

You can't pay me not to

I love to jump around, its how I get in to the music.

And if you're not getting in to the music, why should the audiencde? And a band that stands idle is boring to watch.

One thing I love to do, I picked up from watching my bass teacher play with his band is, you step up on the drum riser and jump off that.

Yet, I always fall in to the speakers, or off stage(almost), or something, so if you can play do it.

I've only read about half the posts so far but I thought I'd throw in my two cents... (I may bite my tounge later, but here goes)

I try to stay modest, but I'm a pretty damn good player. I can double thumb with the best of them, cross hand tap al a Mr. Manring, strum, slap and chord like Stanley and Les, and play a super clean fretless when called upon. I play $3800+ custom basses and use full epifani/eden rigs. And I do all that while dancing around and jumping all over the place like an idiot. :D So far in this thread I've picked up on some people who find it only necessary or appropriate to do all the jumping when you aren't on top of your game musically or are more concerned with image that musical ability. I play in a trio where our guitarist is glued to a microphone and the drummer is obviously stuck behind a kit, so I'm left to provide about 75% of the stage show. We play very energetic, super technical, innovative and catchy music. Every time we play our #1 priorities are play bad ass music and nail it and put on a show that people will never forget. WE wouldn't be able to do that if we stood perfectly still, maybe bobbing our heads, just so we can nail the music perfectly. We still nail about 99% of the music, but we do it while jumping around and going crazy. Besides, even big Vic wooten tosses his bass over his shoulders and does back flips on stage :) just my two cents...

Justin K.

only when im playing by myself infront of a mirror

Originally posted by ModulusAcacia

I try to stay modest, but I'm a pretty damn good player...


I don't know... did you read everything that you posted Mr. Lord of The Low?

My 2 cents is getting into music, however you do it, is cool. As long as you don't take it to the ultimate level... 80s hair metal.

Originally posted by ModulusAcacia
I try to stay modest,

Try harder, cause right now, you suck at it.

This post just screams of problems to me. I just can't stand it when people rattle off "skills" like they're stats on the back of a baseball card. Okay, so you claim to have skills in certain techniques, that doesn't tell me anything about your skills, at all. Double-thumbing, or whatever you call it, tapping, and all that, doesn't mean diddly-squat when you're on stage. "Super-technical" music, all that doesn't mean anything to me.

Can you serve the music? Do you have a solid sense of time? Can you play what you hear?

Those, to me, are far more important questions.

Ok, this doesn't look like it's going anywhere. Closed.

Have a nice day :)