Bassists, do you talk to the audience?

lonegroover · #1 08-06-2006, 11:42 AM

in between numbers or do you leave it to the lead singer/others in the band.

our lead vocalist does most of the chat but I have to fill in when he's switching from electric to acoustic guitars. I'm not naturally comfortable doing it so rely on a few well worn one liners to get me through. For example, after 1st or 2nd number (depending on guitar switch) I say (once appluase dies down) "thanks folks. I must say you're taking this very well" or "this may be hard to believe, but we are tonight's live entertainment". Although pretty crappy ( I "lifted" them from a book at some point)they seem to go down reasonably well & relax the audience/get them on our side.

Any other "talking" bassists rely on pre-meditated one liners?

clockworkwar · #2 08-06-2006, 11:45 AM

When i get chance to talk, i usually do a little comedy act, it seems to get the pub crowd really awake to the band playing.

TheDarkReaver · #3 08-06-2006, 02:30 PM

i have done, cos sometimes i do backing vocals and have a mic. i like having a mic, makes you feel powerful lol.

Woodchuck · #4 08-06-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworkwar

When i get chance to talk, i usually do a little comedy act, it seems to get the pub crowd really awake to the band playing.

Same here.

invader3k · #5 08-06-2006, 03:02 PM

Yeah...we only recently got a dedicated lead singer, and our guitarist who previously sang lead was never comfortable with talking to the crowd a lot, so it's usually been up to me to talk to the crowd and stuff. You can stick to basic stuff:

"How's everyone doing tonight? Thanks for being out here. It's always good to play at _____. Here's something from down south for you all to enjoy." (Launch into Sweet Home Alabama or whatever).

Oh, and I know it's cheesy and cliche, but if you're in a bar:

"The more you drink, the better we sound."

bassist 4 life · #6 08-06-2006, 04:06 PM

"*applause ends* thaank you thank you, thanks for comming to the gig! hmm, well, please wait while our singer switches guitars, in the meantime, uhh, do you like porn"?

*audience laughs*

they should anyway lol...

Pako · #7 08-06-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist 4 life

"*applause ends* thaank you thank you, thanks for comming to the gig! hmm, well, please wait while our singer switches guitars, in the meantime, uhh, do you like porn"?

*audience laughs*

they should anyway lol...

And if they don't?

KeithBMI · #8 08-06-2006, 04:35 PM

...awkward!

Dirty Dave · #9 08-06-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pako

And if they don't?

Then you stick with playing the bass.

Pako · #10 08-06-2006, 07:50 PM

Well I guess the music is only part of the entertainment, eh?

tZer · #11 08-06-2006, 07:57 PM

In-between-song-banter is overrated. If you have something worth saying; something funny, something relevant, something the crowd can use, say it and say it clearly. Otherwise, just smile and wait til the next song starts.

Some cats have a gift for gab and can really get the crowd going with some chatter - if you are one of the rare few who have such a gift, use it, by all means... otherwise, if you are not comfy there is no sense in forcing it. Fear or lack of confidense is very noticible and can turn a crowd off pretty easily.

loendmaestro · #12 08-06-2006, 07:59 PM

Even though we have a singer (who is also a guitard) I kinda fill the role as front man. I do the band intros, banter with the crowd, all that stuff. I tend to be the "witty one" in the band (or maybe just less drunk - I'm not sure). But it falls on my shoulders & I do OK with it.

seanm · #13 08-06-2006, 08:30 PM

Not as such. I never have a mic at gigs, just no room.

I do try to make eye contact with the crowd. With the lead singer looking down at the words, the drummer hidden behing the kit, the lead guitar looking at his fret board (although he also tries to make eye contact) it is sort of left to me to make eye contact.

thebassclef · #14 08-06-2006, 08:39 PM

When playing Highway to Hell- AC/DC, I'd chat up the front row during the verse as kind of a comedy thing. I'd tell them "Be Right Back" when the Chorus was about to start.

SBassman · #15 08-06-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loendmaestro

Even though we have a singer (who is also a guitard)

That's the first time I ever heard that. I Love it.

cassanova · #16 08-06-2006, 09:20 PM

I think its the singers job to do the talking for the night. Only time I'll say a word is if given the opportunity. So its only sometimes that I'll get to work the crowd.

Rattman · #17 08-06-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

Some cats have a gift for gab and can really get the crowd going with some chatter - if you are one of the rare few who have such a gift, use it, by all means... otherwise, if you are not comfy there is no sense in forcing it. Fear or lack of confidense is very noticible and can turn a crowd off pretty easily.

That was my problem.. no gift of gab, so I tried to do a little 'soft shoe' a few times..but kept
falling down thou.. Do you know how bad it sounds when a bassist falls on a stage?

MicB · #18 08-06-2006, 11:21 PM

I know the less is more approach works well in talking to the audience. I've also learned from watching alot of live Chili Peppers that a quick, completely random sentence or too works great. Something like this:

Flea: I really like blueberrys! I eat 'um every morning!

or

If anyone has a baby during the course of the show, John has agreed to put him through college. If its a girl, Chad pays.

Kronos · #19 08-07-2006, 01:05 AM

I play off my singer. Sometimes he's not that talkative, and I'll get him going. I also tend to remember to thank the other bands and the venues moreso than our singer.

slap_happy · #20 08-07-2006, 01:12 AM

I got to shows to hear music. I don't need to hear some guy try to be funny.. I assume our audience comes for the same reason, so I don't say anything and hope that our singer/keys player doesn't run his mouth..