posture

[Pumpkin_Howie]

my friends say i look a little stiff and rigid when i play, whats a good posture or stance to take up to remove the impression that im some kind of robot?

[Snerek]

in order to asses your posture we need to see photos of you playing

[Goatman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YO4rC3ZB7g

Let that energy that's moving your fingers carry throughout your whole body, man. Don't be afraid to let loose, no one will laugh.

Or another alternative to is to actually wear a robot costume. heh heh.

[Jehos]

Originally Posted by Goatman

Let that energy that's moving your fingers carry throughout your whole body, man. Don't be afraid to let loose, no one will laugh.

This is actually great advice. You know how people always make fun of that face you make when you play, or laugh when you go all rockstar banging your head or swaying around randomly with the music or whatever?

All of that is called "showmanship" when you're on stage. Anything goes. No seriously, anything goes. I've almost broken a rib jumping off a drum riser (bass got pinched between my thigh and my bottom right rib when I landed in a crouch). I *love* crouching down on the very edge of the stage and staring down the hottest girl at the front of the crowd on intense intros. I have to consciously stop myself from moving around too much on small stages for fear of knocking things over.

The more into your music you are, the more the crowd will be.

[TBird1958]

Love that Larry Graham clip!
Except when his second bass falls over at 2:21 in! You can see it lying on the floor face down at the end.........Wah!
Let everyone see how much you love the music you play, give to your audience - they'll give it back

[Dave Muscato]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Howie

my friends say i look a little stiff and rigid when i play, whats a good posture or stance to take up to remove the impression that im some kind of robot?

Stiff & rigid is not good for your body when it comes to bass playing. A bass professor at Berklee, Ron Mahdi, once told me that while playing bass, one should be "like a cat"—relaxed, sleek, and smooth. Stiff & rigid leads to all sorts of joint problems, and also makes it harder to play smoothly, speedily, and with good intonation. Do stand up straight, but don't force yourself. Hope this helps.

[Obe]

Originally Posted by Jehos

SNIP...when I landed in a crouch

Heh heh heh, read this as "landed in a crotch" the first time...anyway, I used to play "Entwistle style", but an easy way not to look stiff is to stand with your legs apart a bit, and lean back once in a while. Then work your way into those Michael Jackson moves.

[cassanova]

Stiff and rigid on stage usually results from performance anxiety.

Stare at the very back of the room, if there is an exit sign or some type of sign on the wall let it be your focal point. The crowd will think you're looking at them when you're really not and then the loose, relaxed posture will soon follow.

If you're not being stiff and rigid from performance anxiety then just be loose and relaxed. Walk around on the stage as you play if possable too. This will prevent you from being a statue up there.