Dancing during soundchecks

[Richland123]

How many times as this happened to your band?

Whenever we are ready to do a soundcheck, our guitarist always announces over the P.A. that we will be doing a soundcheck and not the show yet. Our soundchecks are very short and sometimes when we play through a few measures of tunes with the entire band that last about 30 seconds, some people get up and start dancing. Then, they get disappointed and sit down. The funny part is that as soon as we start the show a few minutes later, they don't get up and dance.

[The_Low_Dude]

Have you ever thought of announcing: "Hey, our show starts now. Get up and dance!"

That, or you're starting with the wrong song.

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by The_Low_Dude

Have you ever thought of announcing: "Hey, our show starts now. Get up and dance!"

That, or you're starting with the wrong song.

It does not matter even if we start with the same song we did during soundcheck or any other big dance song. You just can't figure people out.

[alembicguy]

Maybe you could use your first song of the night as soundcheck.
We usually just do a line check to make sure everything has signal. We have been using the same PA and soundman for 10 years so he pretty much has it down.

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

Maybe you could use your first song of the night as soundcheck.
We usually just do a line check to make sure everything has signal. We have been using the same PA and soundman for 10 years so he pretty much has it down.

That would never work for us anyway since we mix ourselves from the stage and don't have a soundman.

The point I was asking is that how many of you have had people dancing during your soundchecks?

[alembicguy]

Well then to answer your question we would have none dancing during soundcheck.

[scott0606]

prepare a song specifically for sound check that will ensure people dont dance

[slaps76]

None.

[chokeslam512]

Pick a ridiculously easy song to start with, if people start dancing your soundguy can make adjustments on the fly (Assuming that you've done line level checks already)

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by Richland123

How many times as this happened to your band?

Whenever we are ready to do a soundcheck, our guitarist always announces over the P.A. that we will be doing a soundcheck and not the show yet. Our soundchecks are very short and sometimes when we play through a few measures of tunes with the entire band that last about 30 seconds, some people get up and start dancing. Then, they get disappointed and sit down. The funny part is that as soon as we start the show a few minutes later, they don't get up and dance.

Fool me once, shame on you.... fool me twice, shame on me...

They're not going to fall for the old Okie Doke again....

Randy

[obsession600]

Originally Posted by chokeslam512

Pick a ridiculously easy song to start with, if people start dancing your soundguy can make adjustments on the fly (Assuming that you've done line level checks already)

Bingo. Learn from the pros.

[lowfreq33]

What gets me is when people wait until the last chorus of a song to get up and dance, then get disappointed when it's over 30 seconds later.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Used to happen to us every single time, and I'd bet that it still happens to the fortunate ones who still play in that band.

Regards
Sam

[Munjibunga]

We always play the full song at sound check, then announce afterward, "OK, folks, we're going to take a short break and be back with our next set in 15 minutes."

[Mo'Phat]

Have a first song with an amazing groove. The song starts with about five minutes of kick drum (lol), then he moves to the floor tom, rack toms, and snare, then ride, hi-hat and overheads. Then the bass solo is the amazing groove for a few measures. Then the guitar and other instruments take their solo, where it's the amazing groove...but just their parts.

Then, vocally, you each do your levels, one at a time...in time with the amazing groove. When you're all set, hit a fat drum segue and the whole band comes in with the amazing groove.

If you had anybody dancing, they'll not be forced to sit down, and anybody watching will be gobsmacked that you pulled that badass soundcheck off.

Also, a pre-show break is really unnecessary. The entire day before the show is your pre-show break. I've never seen the need to soundcheck, then exit the stage, and come back on ten minutes later. I'm ready to go, the soundman is dialed in, the band is warm...just go.

[nsmar4211]

One band I was in had a song specifically for soundcheck, not danceable but had enough of everyone for levels.
Another bands soundcheck was the first few songs.....had the settings near where they needed to be from previous gigs so just needed a bit of tweaking.
Loooooong instrument cables come in handy when the PA person is the guitar player.....or the bass player......

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

What gets me is when people wait until the last chorus of a song to get up and dance, then get disappointed when it's over 30 seconds later.

That happens every gig when people get up to dance right at the end of a song.

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by Richland123

That would never work for us anyway since we mix ourselves from the stage and don't have a soundman.

The point I was asking is that how many of you have had people dancing during your soundchecks?

Well the band I'm in we either do sound checks with the room empty or if it isn't we limit ourselves to 1-2s into the mikes and the guitard and I make sure our amps are working OK. The singer runs the PA and he sets it up the same every time.

Put it this way, if you set everything up the same as you did last time, you won't go far wrong.

Whatever we do, we do it at least 30 minutes before we go on - 8:30 start, set up is completed and we're standing at the bar by 8:00pm. This way the setup and the first set are separate - we come on stage, strap on and start the show.

Anyway, oftentimes in the clubs we play there's something going on (football on the TV, Bingo...) before we start so we have to set up in silence and then we set up, switch on and go!!

[Munjibunga]

In all actuality, at most gigs we do level checks and our first song is the sound check. We've been at it long enough that it doesn't take long to dial it in.