Anybody Occasionally Play With Their Eyes Closed?

[vince a]

I really, really get into the groove of almost every song that I play. I seldom look at my left hand. The band that I WAS with, accused me of looking too tired, and it also looked (to them) like I was sleeping all the time. I told them to FO, and I quit then and there. Anybody else guilty of "sleeping" while playing?

 

[Immigrant]

Wear sunglasses.

I close my eyes sometimes. Usually because I'm wincing as a result of my horrid technique or if there are mirrors around. I'm ugly. I'm the birth control poster child actually.

 

[DigitalMan]

There is a difference between playing and performing. I think your former band mates wanted something that was not unreasonable. However, it doesn't suit you and that's fine too.

 

[Roscoe East]

I really, really get into the groove of almost every song that I play. I seldom look at my left hand. The band that I WAS with, accused me of looking too tired, and it also looked (to them) like I was sleeping all the time. I told them to FO, and I quit then and there. Anybody else guilty of "sleeping" while playing?

I've actually done both: Gotten so into the music that I close my eyes and am transported to some alternative plane...and, been so exhausted at a gig that I very nearly fall asleep!

Mercifully, the former seems to happen way more often.

And no one's ever accused me of falling asleep when it's the former.

 

[Gorn]

The band that I WAS with, accused me of looking too tired, and it also looked (to them) like I was sleeping all the time. I told them to FO, and I quit then and there.

You couldn't talk it over? At least leave on friendly terms? You never know when you may need a gig.

 

[thiocyclist]

You've got to perform. Yes, playing with your eyes closed is fun, but if it clashes with the rest of the band's performance it doesn't matter how good you are doing.

You were right to quit if you could not make that compromise. Being in a band is not just a compromise of making the best sound instead of wanking, but also performing as a unit if you really want to get people to watch you.

 

[FunkHead]

I never close my eyes for more than a few seconds for the sake of stage presence. If your hair is long you can close your eyes and shake it around.

 

[smperry]

The band that I WAS with, accused me of looking too tired, and it also looked (to them) like I was sleeping all the time. I told them to FO, and I quit then and there. Anybody else guilty of "sleeping" while playing?

not sure if serious...but moved to technique.

I often play without looking at my fretboard, and occasionally close my eyes, but I've never been accused of sleeping. I try not to do the closed eyes bass face when performing, but I've been guilty of it before.

 

[Davo-London]

Do it all the time!

On drums and bass! My band leader is patient enough to wait for me to come out of my trance! Quick smile and all is good.

I'm in the zone baby. I try to control it but still lapse from time to time!

Davo

 

[nysbob]

I tend to close my eyes when singing.

I also play fretless.

 

[bass12]

I do it sometimes and it usually means one of two things: I'm really into the music or I'm slightly embarrassed by what's going on onstage. How acceptable it is to play with your eyes closed depends entirely on the gig. I can't, for example, be closing my eyes with my corporate band because with that band it's mostly about the show.

 

[bassbully]

I do it sometimes...I love those moments.

 

[Qlanq]

To me it's all about the band. If the front guys are really busy, just let them get on with it. It never hurt The Who, and those 4 guys were great, but if you are just perceived to be a backing member of the band and totally grooving to the music you may have a lot more attention payed to yourself as a cool player than the rest of the band that just to show off. I think you need to find a band that will take you as someone who lay will lay the bass down and everyone else will use you as a solid benchmark as to playing. Keep on looking, there is something just right for you you.

 

[bigsnaketex]

It helps to watch the other players for dynamic changes........if you've ever tried to get a guitarists attention when his eyes are closed you will feel the frustration!!

 

[Blueszilla]

Sometimes looking around at different things can distract me, so closing my eyes helps me focus on the song at hand. As long as you don't drift off into the ether your should be good. I agree you need to be cognizant of the other folks at critical points in a tune and eye contact certainly comes into play at those moments, but closing my eyes helps me sometimes and no one has ever threatened me because I did it. Different strokes, I guess.

 

[troy mcclure]

I do close my eyes often but never during a time I needed to communicate. I too was accused of sleeping on the job.

 

[plainman]

Like nysbob, I tend to close my eyes when singing, but the rest of the time I keep them open and am usually watching the other musicians.

 

[maxiegrant]

I sing lead, so I get away with it a lot, and it helps to focus.

I also rehearse all the time with my eyes closed, to work on my fretless intonation. I will play a passage eyes open, eyes closed, eyes open, making sure my fingers have fixed exactly where it is going. Helps for linear passages that move around on the neck a lot.

I also move around as much as I can when I'm not singing. I hate being stuck in one place when I play.

 

[Slax]

I definitely prefer to have my eyes open. That way it's easier to watch for changes and make nonverbal communication with band mates as needed.

Last thing you need is to be playing a show and someone off in lala land soloing for 16 bars too many or just completely missing the changes because they were "in the zone".

 

[Marial]

Rarely, as our drummer wanders a bit and I have to keep my eyes on his kick and hi-hat to compensate. I love it when I can, though.