Stupid look on your face

Stock R · #1 06-21-2007, 10:49 AM

So I've come across a problem with my bass and guitar playing. I'm not a very talented player so I have to concentrate REALLY REALLY REALLY hard in order to play correctly. Except this concentration clearly shows up on my face and it gives me a weird look...

Does anyone one have any suggestions to help me get rid of the stupid look? Apparently I look that way even for songs I don't have to concentrate on though

I just want to look more relaxed and natural.

RWP · #2 06-21-2007, 10:56 AM

That's just bass face.

I think as you become more practiced and comfortable it will slowly go away.

plastik-bass[?] · #3 06-21-2007, 11:23 AM

as long as your not smiling its ok...cause we all know bassist dont smile xD

Phalex · #4 06-21-2007, 11:53 AM

People tell me my face looks like a big ol' jellyfish. It always be movin.

K_Shizzle · #5 06-21-2007, 11:55 AM

People have told me that my face looks like i'm about to kiss when i'm playing. Not sure if I still do

lefty007 · #6 06-21-2007, 12:17 PM

Wear a mask, Slipknot style.

No, really, don't sweat it. Be yourself. Audiences like to see they are getting their money's worth. Show them you are working hard.

CraigG · #7 06-21-2007, 12:50 PM

Dang, are you telling me now we not only have to play well but we have to be careful about the look we have on our face? It took 25 years for me to graduate from 4 strings to 6 and now I have to think about the look??? Yikes

I'm starting to think the role of a bass player is getting far too complicated for me!

Craig

T-Bird · #8 06-21-2007, 02:01 PM

Hi.

Just watch Gary Moore play (Yep I know, a guitarist), You won't worry about funny faces ever again. IMO.

Just my 0.02€
Sam

Johnny Crab · #9 06-21-2007, 04:52 PM

Once you've got a tune down....meaning you can play it WITHOUT the CD on by yourself at home can see where your hands should be in your head when you hear it driving in your car....THEN you will be able to ENJOY your surroundings more and actually smile....realizing you're having the most fun you can have.....(almost?)....

Just look up famous players on youtube and watch their live clips. You won't worry anymore. And quit listening to everything someone says about how you look when you play. If they ALL say it, then listen with a grain of salt...

kserg · #10 06-21-2007, 05:33 PM

Hehe, I bite my lips with out knowledge, i don't notice it until someone says something or i stop playing and realize that my lips are either numb or bleeding a little.

I also forget to breath sometimes but neither one is because of hard concentration, it happens even if i am screwing around in front of my PC with no concentration at all or when i have my eyes closed and just jamming with clear joy. Hell it happens even when i walk a scale.

Quite strange.

RWP · #11 06-21-2007, 05:41 PM

Joe Cocker was known to make a face or two.

Rattman · #12 06-21-2007, 10:13 PM

Stock R... you should embrace and be proud of your 'bass face'. It is considered a badge of honor and nothing at all to be concerned about. As they've already said.. the "effects" will wear off with time and as tunes get more familar to you like old friends coming around to hang out with you.

Jazzin' · #13 06-21-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stock R

So I've come across a problem with my bass and guitar playing. I'm not a very talented player so I have to concentrate REALLY REALLY REALLY hard in order to play correctly. Except this concentration clearly shows up on my face and it gives me a weird look...

Does anyone one have any suggestions to help me get rid of the stupid look? Apparently I look that way even for songs I don't have to concentrate on though

I just want to look more relaxed and natural.

I have the opposite problem. When I'm not concentrated and I feel relaxed while playing bass, I start making funny relaxed faces, naturally. I'm aware I'm doing it and I can stop if I want to, but I chose to continue.

gottawalk · #14 06-21-2007, 10:37 PM

Yeah, I hate it when people tell me I have to smile more!
"Don't look so serious!..."

I just want to be that bass player that's standing back off to the side of the drummer just "laying it down".

I'll leave the crowd-pleasing up to the front "person" and the lead guitarist. That's in their job descriptions!

Stock R · #15 06-22-2007, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the comments guys.

I usually don't care cause the only person who brings it up is my GF, but this week I had a random person come up to me and comment on it, so I've become a bit more self concious.

I can accept the bass face, hiding in the back w/ the drummer....... but what about guitar face? I play that thing too :P

Maybe I should start wearing a mask... nothing like wearing a mask at church... lol.

T-Bird · #16 06-22-2007, 12:43 PM

Hi.

This thread is really useless without pics

, so I might as well start.

21 years ago, my first gig, playing an singin Killed By Death / Motörhead

Last year, improvement, that I don't know

Hey all, let's see Yours.

Sam

905 · #17 06-22-2007, 12:57 PM

Your facial expression is hidden by the awesome beard you're sporting.
I guess that's an improvement

spudmaster34 · #18 06-22-2007, 02:05 PM

I don't really have much of a bass face, I just look dead sexy. However, I have discovered that sometimes it is more fun to watch that to listen to my guitarist

theshadow2001 · #19 06-22-2007, 02:09 PM

Look at this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am61TgFB8qI

You'll feel much better abut your bass face.

gottawalk · #20 06-22-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Look at this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am61TgFB8qI

You'll feel much better abut your bass face.

Wow! It's a John Patitucci bobble-head!

LOL!