Playing and looking

[zktui]

Right, so in my current band, we've started to gig, with two last week.
I've realised, when I play I'm all good with moving around (pertaining that there is a crowd and positive vibe with which to obtain the energy to do so), but I have a habit of half turning and facing the drums.

My problem, facing the audience. I don't know where to look.

What do others do?

[EpiRipper]

Look for boobs ( . Y . )

[EricTheViking]

Wink at the girls! Or the guys if you like them better The only time I feel uncomfortable is when the audience isn't in to it. But then I just wink at my band mates instead

[magic papa]

There's theory that you supposed to look over the audience heads at some point at the back of the venue. Then it makes an impression that you're looking at the audience just not them in particular.

Can't verify it though, didn't quite work for me

I just walk around and look around which gives me an opportunity to have a frequent peek at the neck to make sure I'm not on a road to disaster

[Phalex]

I usually have my eyes closed. If my eyes are open, I usually stare into the stage lights.

[rtslinger]

Each gig will be different so no use trying to figure that out I sometimes half turn to the drummer to lock in a run we share or something like that so no big deal. As for the crowd like I said it is a crap shoot one min. nothing than the next people calling out to you or ladies are on the bar dancing no way of knowing till it happens so chill on that thought just have a great time playing RTS

[drummer5359]

When I look at pictures of me playing drums or hand percussion, I seem to be watching either the bass player or singer.

I've always enjoyed my view of the audience though. On any songs that I sing I am looking out into the audience.

I've filled in on bass at gigs a few times over the years, but never for a whole night. In those instances I'm watching the drummer.

[MatticusMania]

I look from hot chick, to hot chick, then over at my wife, then the back of the room, turn and look at my band, and repeat. If youre a dude in the audience I wont notice you, unless you bring me a drink.

[Muttleybass]

I always try and make eye contact with several people... give them a smile, give them the "Bass Face". Nod at them. I just try to connect with the audience.

[Tat2dHeart]

Originally Posted by EpiRipper

Look for boobs ( . Y . )

I look at boobs. ( * )( * ) And I don't even go that way. Inevitably though, they're geographically near what I prefer to look at.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by zktui

Right, so in my current band, we've started to gig, with two last week.
I've realised, when I play I'm all good with moving around (pertaining that there is a crowd and positive vibe with which to obtain the energy to do so), but I have a habit of half turning and facing the drums.

My problem, facing the audience. I don't know where to look.

What do others do?

This will sound really dumb, but it helped me out in the beginning gigs. Go on youtube and find a slide show movie of nothing but hot woman models or decent looking women. Start playing your songs on bass and watch the video. Since I play covers, I just put my covers on a Itunes playlist, hit play and played along while watching the women on the screen. It helped me remember where my hands were and prepared me to not be so distracted by women at shows.

Trust your hands, relax and look for craziness at shows! The last show I did had three shirtless guys, and five beautiful woman by me! Glad I looked.

[drummer5359]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I look from hot chick, to hot chick, then over at my wife, then the back of the room, turn and look at my band, and repeat. If youre a dude in the audience I wont notice you, unless you bring me a drink.

^ This!

I used to wear a shirt that said; "Support local music, buy the band a beer."

[BruceBass3901]

I normally have a few mates at my gigs, so I normally look for their reactions, or I look at the reactions of people near the font of the stage, and if they are rocking out, give 'em a bass face or a grin

Failing that, get talkin' to the bar man and look at him and give him a 'Sup nod' to bring you a beer

[fhm555]

Originally Posted by zktui

...but I have a habit of half turning and facing the drums...

Watching the drummer will help your mid song stops and starts. Don't make a career of constantly watching your drummer though...people will talk...

Oh and BTW, don't worry overmuch out of the gate, you will find your on stage comfort zone in good time. Just don't wind up with your feet together, firmly planted to one spot, and your eyes glued to them, but don't start climbing 50 foot stage curtains like Howlin Wolf either. At least not until you've made a few practice climbs in private.

Most important, have fun, and the rest will take care of itself.

[manghu67]

I look at the audience. The sound guy. That spot at the back of the house just over the audience's head. THAT guy right THERE. The band. My rig. My fingerboard. The backs of my eyelids. My shoes. The headstock of my bass tangled in the mic stand and cable. I'm pretty much all over the place.

[busmandan]

I'm very nearsighted and don't wear my glasses onstage, so I just look at the moving blobs of color.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

This will sound really dumb, but it helped me out in the beginning gigs. Go on youtube and find a slide show movie of nothing but hot woman models or decent looking women. Start playing your songs on bass and watch the video. Since I play covers, I just put my covers on a Itunes playlist, hit play and played along while watching the women on the screen. It helped me remember where my hands were and prepared me to not be so distracted by women at shows.

Trust your hands, relax and look for craziness at shows! The last show I did had three shirtless guys, and five beautiful woman by me! Glad I looked.

Ha ha I love this idea. Course, I'll have to wait till the mrs is out of the house to try it....

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by busmandan

I'm very nearsighted and don't wear my glasses onstage, so I just look at the moving blobs of color.

Contacts dude! Sooo worth it. I can give you tips on how to get past touching your eye. It takes about a week to do it and I guarantee results!

[chokeslam512]

I generally will look at boobs or the waitresses or the waitress' boobs, or the tops of peoples heads when my eyes aren't closed.

[MatticusMania]

On occasion I'll get myself into a drug fueled frenzy and look at EVERYTHING all at ONCE. ITS AMAZING MAN, I CAN SEE FOREVER!!!!!