Hello, my names I<34080, and I have a shoegaze problem

[I<34080]

I'm not even playing shoegaze music! Anyone else have the same problem?

[Honk'n_down-low]

Chick Singer is not hot enough - replace her with some hotness standing in front of you and you will have a sure fire cure for Shoegaze IMO and IME

[Stingray_EB]

The way I got over this, is real simple. Keep your head moving around looking at different things, dont stare at your feet or the audience, watch your band mates, look at the crowd, look at your left hand as you do a big run, look at the ceiling, heck shut your eyes.

Just dont focus on one thing and you wont ever feel self conscious about what youre looking at.

[Beej]

Frank Zappa constantly watched his own hands while soloing. If you're good enough, no one will give a dang what you're looking at...

[TheMutt]

I have this problem from time to time as well. Definitely start focusing on different things whether it's band members (I have started looking for the keys player's left hand to start moving too far to the left... it's my que to unleash the low B string notes instead of the higher octave notes on the E/A/D strings. I also watch the guitars for some songs when there is a quick key change.) the audience (look for people you recognize, but don't stare! Also, be sure to smile!) or just at random things like a clock, or your fretboard, or something like that. Eventually, it will become second nature to you.

[TheBasicBassist]

Originally Posted by Stingray_EB

The way I got over this, is real simple. Keep your head moving around looking at different things, dont stare at your feet or the audience, watch your band mates, look at the crowd, look at your left hand as you do a big run, look at the ceiling, heck shut your eyes.

Just dont focus on one thing and you wont ever feel self conscious about what youre looking at.

He's referring to the genre of shoegaze; not the fact that he's always gazing at his shoes. :-)

[Jimbob Jones]

When you don't have anything you *need* to be looking at, (eg. your fretboard or a band member) look at 'the imaginary back row', which is just over the real back rows' heads. That way, you aren't staring at anyone, or looking self conscious.

[cnltb]

I'd say that the beter you know your instrument and the music you are playing , the quicker you'll forget the colour of your shoes.

[I<34080]

Originally Posted by cnltb

I'd say that the beter you know your instrument and the music you are playing , the quicker you'll forget the colour of your shoes.

if it's my playing that's in question, i'd say it isn't the problem.

[somedumbguy]

Am I the only one who noticed the quality difference between the bass vs the amp?

[Spraeg]

Play bars with hot bartenders... that way you can do the "Imaginary Back Row" thing and still have something enjoyable to look at. I got over looking at my shoes/looking at my fretboard by practicing in a room with a window on the second floor... when there's people moving around on the sidewalk it provides a good distraction.

[Codymb]

Wow. I was going to mention how I have the same issue at times, then I noticed that your first photo is of you playing S.W.E.T. in Greensboro. Which is a venue I've played several times before (I'm playing there tomorrow night in fact) and I thought "Maybe it's just that bar?" I think we need to do some investigating, to see if there's something about S.W.E.T. that turns bassists into shoegazers.

[jp58]

Lock in with the drummer, or a guitarist. Look at your hands, look at a hot girl.

[Joey3313]

Originally Posted by TheBasicBassist

He's referring to the genre of shoegaze; not the fact that he's always gazing at his shoes. :-)

Other way around there, chief.

[Bassmanbob]

Dang! I need to lose some weight! I can't see my shoes when I play. My bass and belly get in the way.

[Shmone]

Originally Posted by somedumbguy

Am I the only one who noticed the quality difference between the bass vs the amp?

lol