How do you use good stage presence without moving too much?

[Mr. Kitty]

that's what i wish to know. my band plays on very small stages and i have no idea how to have stage presence with out moving around too much. i've tried moving around on stage before...i mean around my other mates...i accidentally rammed my headstock into one of their backs so that didn't work well...

but yeah,

any tips?

oh and i play in a somewaht melodic punk/alternative group if that helps...
so that means no headbanging sadly

[capnsandwich]

I'm in the same boat at most of my gigs. I make up for my lack of mobility with a lot of up and down motion and shaking my head a lot. I try to put a lot of emotion into my playing. A good bass face works pretty good too.

[Beamrider]

Here's a few points that worked for me. Hope this helps.

- You're playing for your audience. Look at them, not at your fretboard, not on the floor, not at the drummer. If you're shy, concentrate on a single person.

- Avoid The Furniture Part I: If you stand still, you're part of the furniture. Move your body - you're pumping rhythm to the band, so try and feel it. (This doesn't mean you have to start jumping and swaying the headstock around, but use your feet and hips, strike a "bass hero" pose, just do something.)

- Avoid The Furniture Part II: If you're not visible, you're part of the furniture. In case the stage's so small that you're in second row with the drummer behind singer and guitarist, try and position yourself where the audience can see you.

- Try to stand out, with your clothes, haircut and general appearance. Let people notice you (possibly without laughing at you!!!)

Good luck!

[Mr. Kitty]

Hey thanks guys...

yeah fortunately our stages aren't that small that I have to stand behind the singer and guitar player...

we're pretty much side to side though...

but yeah thanks!

and keep posting tips!

[worker201]

David Lee Roth used to run back and forth across the stage like a madman. But that's not what made him an electrifying performer. The quarter-mile of stage didn't hurt him, but it didn't sell Van Halen tickets (or albums).

Look out at the audience, and make facial expressions. Bounce around every once in awhile. Sway and/or rock out. Audiences don't expect much from a bassist, so anything you can do will be more than they needed.

[ReidoT]

My friend was showing me today how impressed he was at how much presence these guys have without moving around at all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsazuAL1J70

[PWRL]

I never jump around or get all crazy when I'm playing, but I do try to move around whenever I can. I stick with slower movements, and try to make eye contact with the audience, etc. A lot can be said simply with body language in general.
However, if anyone's into jumping around, holding their bass up by the neck and playing it in the air, etc, if you can pull it off, I say go for it, just be aware of what's around you.
A couple times one of our guitar players has very nearly nailed me in the head with the headstock of his guitar as he went for the behind-the-head manuever (which he pulled off regardless).

[TheInsane]

I've been thinking of this. I play death metal and the scenes are almost never big enough to actually move around on. We do have a cheap trick to use which is headbanging which everyone does anyway. But what about the day when the long hair thins out so much one has tu cut it? Or if one does so anyway. Believe it or not its actually way more painful to headbang without long hair than with long hair. I think its a technique thing.

I tend to use certain movements at certain times in a song. I got some weird thing I do with my left arm in a passage with some odd tempo to really mark that something happens. I also do the Steve Harris thing and try to sing the lyrics which I think makes for a nice visual.

[Munjibunga]

About every third song I lick my eyebrows.

[roflol]

get into it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmdmnnv2NkY

[lunarpollen]

• Wardrobe choice and hairstyle
• Posture
• Facial expressions
• Occasional eye contact with audience members

[Fnord Explorer]

Wearing hot pink pants and a gold-sequined jacket doesn't hurt.

[nsmar4211]

You could also try adding flair to your playing with hand/arm motions... for instance, a couple of songs we do I go to playing half notes and it's a big BOOM (impact?) part. So I pluck the heck out of the right hand.....visually . Make it look like I'm going to pull the string off from the audiences point of view. I lift my hand/arm up (not out), so it doesn't matter how close I'm stuck to the guitarists.... I don't *actually* pull the string hard, it's just for show. Stole that trick from my teacher. If you do a slide down to a note, make it a big visual one, bigger than it is. Takes a bit of practice to do the big motions visually so try it at home first
+1 to looking at the audience. I *still* keep having to remind myself to look up, it's just too easy to stare at the fretboard even if you don't need to. Try not to look bored (even if you are)...

[Orangeclawhamme]

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[Kano2864212]

after watching the bass player from the Hives, I believe that stage presence completely relies on having a good mustache

[bobba66]

Grow a Mohawk. Wear a dress and a lot of makeup. You'll get noticed.

[JonathanD]

Not to steal the thread....but, I am playing at the edge of my abilities. It is jsut bass, vocals and drums in my band...and maybe I have painted myself into a corner. But damn, moving side to side seems a dandy feat at times.

[Bearded Bugs]

Originally Posted by roflol

get into it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmdmnnv2NkY

Damnnn that song was awesome! Wow...

Those guys can roar haha the guy hammering his keyboardy pedal type things was wicked

Cheers for the link dude

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

Wearing hot pink pants and a gold-sequined jacket doesn't hurt.

Yes it does!

[Outlaw_son]

suscribed