Bass Stage Presence. PLEASE READ!

HunsBassist · #1 03-29-2005, 01:24 PM

I am a bassist from Orlando, FL in a punk/surf/ska band. We've been playing out around Orlando and now we have an artist showcase in Tallahassee. Executives from Epic and Columbia records will be there. I am (excluding the drummer) the main energy on stage. I try to go all out in my stage presence. But I have one problem. I cannot jump very high. For the most part, it just looks ridiculous when I try. And it's kinda hard to carry the energy of a performance staying on the ground. If anybody has any sort of technique that would get a higher liftoff, could you please inform me. Preferably quickly. The showcase is in 2 1/2 weeks. Thank you for your time,
Matthew O'Donnell of AATH (check us out at http://www.aath.net)

Mon Rominee · #2 03-29-2005, 01:31 PM

canopener · #3 03-29-2005, 02:06 PM

Corwin81 · #4 03-29-2005, 02:11 PM

even though it's metal, watch Rob Trujillo. He doesn't leave the ground much and has awesome presence

mike_v_s · #5 03-29-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin81

even though it's metal, watch Rob Trujillo. He doesn't leave the ground much and has awesome presence

Agreed. There is a fine line between looking like you know what you are doing and tomfoolery. Jumping can be part of both, or neither.

**cheezewiz** · #6 03-29-2005, 02:38 PM

LOL! How about worrying about how you play rather than how high you can jump. Man...this is a pretty sad statement about the music world today. All style over substance.

Mitchell Royce · #7 03-29-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

LOL! How about worrying about how you play rather than how high you can jump. Man...this is a pretty sad statement about the music world today. All style over substance.

Too bad substance is usually boring as hell to watch.

I really hope you weren't serious with that comment, though.

**cheezewiz** · #8 03-29-2005, 03:12 PM

I was dead serious. This is one of the funniest threads I've ever seen. I mean really? "Help me jump higher so we can get signed"

ee-san · #9 03-29-2005, 03:15 PM

Bassists look very cool standing stock still surrounded by mayhem (and the singer thought the world revloved around him/her).

fraublugher · #10 03-29-2005, 03:20 PM

take a dance class and learn what body flight is.

basically you enter the air , and with body language make it SEEM as though your up there longer than you actually were.
it may require practise , good luck.

jivetkr · #11 03-29-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I was dead serious. This is one of the funniest threads I've ever seen. I mean really? "Help me jump higher so we can get signed"

I could not agree more.

Passinwind · #12 03-29-2005, 03:22 PM

Do a search on "trebuchet". If that doesn't take you air time to the next level, forget about it.

Broach_insound · #13 03-29-2005, 04:15 PM

I happened to notice your song about Terri Schiavo and couldnt help to wonder where you stand on the issue?

Selta · #14 03-29-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I was dead serious. This is one of the funniest threads I've ever seen. I mean really? "Help me jump higher so we can get signed"

+infinity. After I read what he said, I said my reply to myself, then started to read the other responses. When I came to both of yours, they said what my reply was going to be. With that said...
Put a trampoline right in front of you and jump on it.

Ray

Tim Cole · #15 03-29-2005, 04:26 PM

If only crosby stills and nash could have jumped.

Broach_insound · #16 03-29-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I was dead serious. This is one of the funniest threads I've ever seen. I mean really? "Help me jump higher so we can get signed"

+ 1

**smperry** · #17 03-29-2005, 04:36 PM

jenderfazz · #18 03-29-2005, 07:01 PM

Maybe try lifting your legs and bending your knees more? You just jump a certain height, so dont bother working on that. Try to lift and bend those knees to make it look like you're way up in the air.

Come on guys, the live performance is quite important, especially for a punk band. If the music is good, why not work on the visual aspect to enhance the experience? Do we criticize Pink Floyd for having a laser show or a huge pig?

SomecallmeTim · #19 03-29-2005, 07:20 PM

Stage presence is nice and all, but thinking about it seems to go against what good stage presence really should be. If you're really into the music you're playing, ("feeling it", if you will) you're going to look like it...that's stage presence.

In other words, 2 inches on your vertical isn't going to make the difference (though I can help you improve your vertical, if you really want - it's good for sports).

Justin V · #20 03-29-2005, 07:27 PM

I don't really see what's wrong with wanting to put on an entertaining stage show. Maybe it's just where I grew up (east bay area), but I can't help but move around on-stage, especially if I'm feeling what I'm playing. As far as jumping is concerned, try stretching your legs or something before you go on stage. Couldn't hurt. I'm more into doing a bit of a jig-type thing whenever jumping is involved. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but..yeah. Just try not to look like you're forcing anything up there. That's gotta be one of my biggest peeves with people who's natural personality tells them to stand still or something onstage and they try to be a gymnast up there.

sorry about the rant.

Good luck with the show!!!