Cool stage moves and suggestions

[Armueller2001]

I've been in a cover band for about 4 years, and I'm comfortable enough with my playing that I can spice things up a bit... I'm not talking about spinning around in circles or doing laps around the stage, but just general things to avoid being a "bump on a log". Heres some of the things I do -

Ninja kicks right before a heavy part
Pointing at people in the audience w/ fretting hand if I'm playing open notes
Putting my left foot on the monitor and leaning down toward the crowd
Raising the neck of my bass strait up and playing like that
Jumping to the beat on heavy parts (rare or else I screw up)
Running across the stage to rock out w/ guitarist
Standing on the drum riser and jumping off
Using my fretting hand over instead of under (index finger to play)
Rotating my torso to the beat

And just generally keeping a wide stance, making sure my head is moving, and eye contact and smiling at the crowd!

Here's a video from one of our shows, not a lot of stage presence on this one though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GslnOUV3gw

Anyone else have cool moves to change things up a bit on stage from just head bobbing etc?

[timloudon]

Sound like you already have the right idea. My particular favorite is the kick- it just simply isn't done enough.

If you're playing Quo, don't forget the Quo rock- where all of you move back and forth in unison- it's pure cheese.

[bassforce]

You should watch both "Blues Brothers" movies :] They're awesome

[bkbirge]

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

Ninja kicks right before a heavy part

Ya know, with mad ninja skillz like that you could get the hotties like Mr. Dynamite.

Go wireless and do some stage diving if you got a trusted crowd.

[blindeddie]

here's one from the old days, maybe around '98 or so.

[Jake the snake]

-If your bassline is fairly simple, and not much fret hand movement, you can always pull your bass up to your shoulder and start "shooting" at members of the crowd.
-If you have a strong strap you can pull your bass out really far to the left and start spinning around like a insane bass tornado.

[Beta]

This Winger video is chock full of "cool stage moves."

Cut up t-shirt bearing your own band's logo optional.

[chaosMK]

Does that guy ever play his bass? Does he even know how?

[cheezewiz]

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

I've been in a cover band for about 4 years, and I'm comfortable enough with my playing that I can spice things up a bit... I'm not talking about spinning around in circles or doing laps around the stage, but just general things to avoid being a "bump on a log". Heres some of the things I do -

Ninja kicks right before a heavy part
Pointing at people in the audience w/ fretting hand if I'm playing open notes
Putting my left foot on the monitor and leaning down toward the crowd
Raising the neck of my bass strait up and playing like that
Jumping to the beat on heavy parts (rare or else I screw up)
Running across the stage to rock out w/ guitarist
Standing on the drum riser and jumping off
Using my fretting hand over instead of under (index finger to play)
Rotating my torso to the beat

And just generally keeping a wide stance, making sure my head is moving, and eye contact and smiling at the crowd!

Here's a video from one of our shows, not a lot of stage presence on this one though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GslnOUV3gw

Anyone else have cool moves to change things up a bit on stage from just head bobbing etc?

You obviously graduated near the top of your class at the Rudy Sarzo Poser Acadamy.

[HEIST]

Originally Posted by Beta

This Winger video is chock full of "cool stage moves."

Cut up t-shirt bearing your own band's logo optional.

Please pass the eye bleach.

[QORC]

Originally Posted by blindeddie

here's one from the old days, maybe around '98 or so.

wow. I don't have the youth or the flexibility to jump like that!!

Sometimes on a long solo part, I kinda like to wander into the crowd and grind it out with some lady.

There was a time when I played 7 Nation Army that I liked to sort of really get into it....drop to my knees...eventually on to my back and sort of bridge my back up from the floor while I played...not something you expect to see from a bassist. But that was a while ago.

[Depth_Charge]

(In jest) I would like to shoot the TBer who posted links to videos of Rob Trujillo with Metallica!!

In ten+ years of playing I've never loped about like that! Yet I caught myself doing it during a song at practice recently while pacing about!!!!

It better not catch on live is all I'm saying!!