Moving your body with your playing

[Dusty89]

I've never seen it discussed in any instructional book, but I feel that moving your body as you play is very beneficial. I used to be very static and focused on nothing, but what I was playing. It wasn't until I started to sway back and forth and learn some classic stage moves that my playing became more consistent. The bass is definitely an extension of the body. It feels much more natural when I move around. Am I making any sense or have others experienced this as well? I wished my beginner instructional books had at least pointed this out. When I used to watch musicians moving around I thought it was just for show, but it now is started to make sense. How many of you love groovy dancing with the tones?

[TOOL460002]

i dont think thats nonsense at all. getting energized at a show makes it so much more fun, which typically means youre playing tight.

some riffs just require you to really get violent and purposeful. you have to put your whole body into it. im not a professional dancer or anything, but if im into it, the crowd is more likely to be too, and thats what matters.

go nuts man!

[Russell L]

It is a good thing to feel the music with your body. Watch classical players and how they move to what they're playing. It is two-fold in that the movement helps to make the music while, at the same time the movement is an after effect of the music (as can be seen in a follow-through). The movement is best when it is natural, though, rather than consciously forced. Many musicians force the moves for show, or because they feel that they ought to look like they are feeling the music, when in fact they aren't. I think every person has a natural way unique to themselves. If you feel it, let it show, and don't worry about it. Whatever it looks like will be your signature. Some players are too shy to move, but don't be. It's part of the joy. How will one ever feel the groove if not through the body?

[littlepope]

I naturally dance when playing. It is about grooving and enjoying yourself. The audience always pickup on whether you as a group are having a good time or just going thru the motions.

Also, it was a cool look to have both guitar players swirling around-(might get you the girl in corner that has been eyeing U all night).

. . . . after all you call yourself a what? Entertainer. And we pay you good money to this!!!

[Dusty89]

Originally Posted by littlepope

I naturally dance when playing. It is about grooving and enjoying yourself. The audience always pickup on whether you as a group are having a good time or just going thru the motions.

Also, it was a cool look to have both guitar players swirling around-(might get you the girl in corner that has been eyeing U all night).

. . . . after all you call yourself a what? Entertainer. And we pay you good money to this!!!

I strive for that girl in the corner. I'm 21 and have a lot to offer.

[gold_member_321]

I'm known for having a very very active stage presence, I love to feel my music. The crowd feeds off of my energy which in turn puts me on full blast! I don't have an off switch on stage, just crank it to 11 and have fun with it. I don't know what I would do if someone asked me to play in a group or environment where I couldn't move around. I've seen so many bands where they just stand there and do their piece, bassists and drummers especially and it just makes the music blah. If I wanted to watch them stand still, I'd stare at a poster and listen to the cd. Don't forget to work on your bass face, its essential you perfect your bass face.

[Dusty89]

Originally Posted by gold_member_321

I'm known for having a very very active stage presence, I love to feel my music. The crowd feeds off of my energy which in turn puts me on full blast! I don't have an off switch on stage, just crank it to 11 and have fun with it. I don't know what I would do if someone asked me to play in a group or environment where I couldn't move around. I've seen so many bands where they just stand there and do their piece, bassists and drummers especially and it just makes the music blah. If I wanted to watch them stand still, I'd stare at a poster and listen to the cd. Don't forget to work on your bass face, its essential you perfect your bass face.

I'll definitley work on my bassface. Sounds good.

[gold_member_321]

Classic thread, good read and friggin hilarious.

Well, I win the "Bass Face" contest.

[Distant Cousin]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

some riffs just require you to really get violent and purposeful. you have to put your whole body into it.

Definitely. Usually the music I play live just needs me to jig about a little bit (Jazz, pop etc), but this Dance-Metalish band I'm in, that won't do. Had a gig the other day and it was the first one where I jumped around, "rocked out" and so on. Was a bit nerve-wracking but I got so much more into it, and the crowd were more into it as a result.

[OOZMAN]

I HEADBANG

[Nedmundo]

Definitely. When learning a new song with a band (I play originals), I'll sometimes dance a bit to help find the proper groove for my part. It helps. On stage, I'm the only one in my band who moves much at all, which might make me look silly (I'm 44), but I need to go for it.

[Russell L]

BUT...I had this happen once:

I was playing a gig sick. I mean, I was terribly ill, but needed the money so bad to pay bills, so I showed up. As a result of feeling so bad I really didn't move at all, but just stood there like a rock, no expression, just my fingers moving. Well, during the break a guy comes over to talk to me and says, "Man, you are so cool." I'm standing there wondering what he's talking about, "Why do you say that," I asked. "Because, the way you just stand there and stare, that is so cool." I said, "I'm sick, that's why." he said, "Well, I just thought you were cool and wanted to tell ya."

Heh, heh, ya just never know, huh?

[Dusty89]

I feel that whatever naturally comes out is the most important.

[tangentmusic]

It has to be natural. Some players instinctively move around and it shows. You can always tell the guy on stage that looks as though he's "forcing" it. Awkward, uncomfortable and un-natural in his effort to look good.
The Ox was known for not moving much on stage. That was natural for him and it worked. Geddy moves around freely and naturally. Chris Squire in his '70's heyday was the essence of cool on stage. That was his natural personna. You cant fake this stuff.

[Billnc]

I never thought I'd be one to move around, got a little dance I do (doesn't look silly, I've seen video) That just came naturally. I had a guy sub for me one time, and he did it a few times, heard his parody of me was spot on.

[Staccato]

Check out MarloweDK in his teaching videos, he is responding to the music.

[Russell L]

What gets me is when I see a mainline act with a player who is obviously trying to look cool. I see that in a lot of new country stuff.

[mambo4]

I move around a lot when I play -on stage or practicing at home.
I don't think of it as "trying to look cool" but rather "looking like an idiot and not giving a damn because I'm having a blast"

[matt descending]

Apparently I spin. Not so much on stage, but at practice. I have to unwind my cable counter-clockwise after about 45 min.

[Faderoktopus]

Does anyone else practice stagemoves? I completely agree that your movements should be natural, but I need to know that I can play just as tight whether I'm standing stock still, swaying and grooving, running full tilt or swirling my hair around like a malfunctioning fan. Also, the audience plays a big part in how much I get into it, and when they sometimes need a few songs before they really dig it, I find it nice to be able to "force" some stage presence and get them riled up.