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Bass Player Stage Presence

#81
Sundogue said:
...So, for those that think stage presence isn't that important... What is the difference between a jukebox and a band then?
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Oh-boy. THIS agian...

While I fully agree about the importance of be warm, engaging hosts and entertainers and all...

In answer to your question: The difference is groove. Real, live, true, on-the-spot, actual groove. Living audience grooving together with living band; like 'grooving together'.

It's metaphysical, man.

Joe
 
#82
Joe P said:
Oh-boy. THIS agian...

While I fully agree about the importance of be warm, engaging hosts and entertainers and all...

In answer to your question: The difference is groove. Real, live, true, on-the-spot, actual groove. Living audience grooving together with living band; like 'grooving together'.

It's metaphysical, man.

Joe
Click to expand...
Yeah but...

Most people at a club have no concept of a metaphysical groove. They just know a good time when they see and hear it.
 
#83
Joe P said:
Oh-boy. THIS agian...

While I fully agree about the importance of be warm, engaging hosts and entertainers and all...

In answer to your question: The difference is groove. Real, live, true, on-the-spot, actual groove. Living audience grooving together with living band; like 'grooving together'.

It's metaphysical, man.

Joe
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be getting addressed yet again...if everyone understood it. :D

So, what you are saying is...the crowd could feel this groove even if the PA were in the room with the crowd, and the band played in another room by themselves?

The crowd in a bar can get a real, live, true, on-the-spot, actual groove going with a jukebox too. The only difference to the crowd being they can plug in quarters to get that groove from a song of their own choosing.

Granted, there will always be a select few (and I mean few) that just like watching musicians play their instruments (me being one of them). But most people want to be a part of something when they go out to "see" a band. Emphasis on the word see. How many people ask their friends to go out and "hear" a band? Not many, most want to go out and "see" one. I wonder why?

Actually I don't wonder why...that was rhetorical. :D
 
#85
iamthebassman said:
I'm usually too busy singing and playing bass to worry about my stage presence.
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Well, unless you have you back turned to the crowd or have a permanent scowl on your face, the simple fact that you have your face presented to the crowd and are singing automatically gives you a certain amount of presence - so keep up the good work, presence-man! ;)
 
#86
tZer said:
Well, unless you have you back turned to the crowd or have a permanent scowl on your face, the simple fact that you have your face presented to the crowd and are singing automatically gives you a certain amount of presence - so keep up the good work, presence-man! ;)
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OK!! :)
 
#88
chakah said:
Recently had a conversation with my guitar player about the bass player stage presence. I've seen some bass players in bands who just stand in the background and look at the fretboard or at the floor. Other bass players have been seen running around the stage trying to pump up the crowd.
Just wondering what you guys do. :bassist:
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depends on how complex the bassline is. I try and not just look down and I try to move around. not always possible
 
#89
Really, it doesn't matter what your stage presence is as a bass player, you just have to play kick ass music, keep the rythm, and just have a good time. Now personally, I flip out on stage, with jumping and "battling the guitarist", but whatever you prefer as long as you think you have good stage presnse.
Rock On
:bassist:
 
#91
ernie3.jpg


snarl snarl

i'm also the lead singer.

E.
 
#93
Sundogue said:
It wouldn't be getting addressed yet again...if everyone understood it. :D

So, what you are saying is...the crowd could feel this groove even if the PA were in the room with the crowd, and the band played in another room by themselves?

The crowd in a bar can get a real, live, true, on-the-spot, actual groove going with a jukebox too. The only difference to the crowd being they can plug in quarters to get that groove from a song of their own choosing.

Granted, there will always be a select few (and I mean few) that just like watching musicians play their instruments (me being one of them). But most people want to be a part of something when they go out to "see" a band. Emphasis on the word see. How many people ask their friends to go out and "hear" a band? Not many, most want to go out and "see" one. I wonder why?

Actually I don't wonder why...that was rhetorical. :D
Click to expand...

With few exceptions you guys are not going to get around the show business element of any band that is playing the better clubs on a consistant basis.

You have to act, sound and look like a band thats having a good time and they want you to join in.

This not about a bunch of stick in the mud lamos standing up there in t-shirts, cargoes and gym shoes looking down at your fret board.

If your in a cover band and thats what your doing. You should really take a hard look at yourself and decide if this is the business for you.

Sorry guys, I know you have have chops and be a good player, but if you think it ends there, you are sadly mistaken and you should stay in the bedroom or basement.

I will make one comment and I will put the blame on the crowd. I watched a top notch rockin 80s cover band this past weekend.From the gear they showed up with(took a semi, and why they were playing this club, I have no idea) they must have been a 3k show.

They were doing everything right, but the crowd would not dance. The only time time the dance for filled up was when they did Sweet Home Alabama. I swear I saw 2 groups of kids line dancing.

Just shows you can't do anything to please a bunch of hicks.
 
#94
Dougiebass29 said:
Really, it doesn't matter what your stage presence is as a bass player, you just have to play kick ass music, keep the rythm, and just have a good time. Now personally, I flip out on stage, with jumping and "battling the guitarist", but whatever you prefer as long as you think you have good stage presnse.
Rock On
:bassist:
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You couldn't be more wrong, it does matter what a bass players stage presence is. And for some it does not come natural and they have to really work on and think about what type of look and presence works for them.
 
#96
My only comments about stage presence is that make what ever you do be natural. Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of phoney poses and people leaping around like idiots to ruin a good musical performance. If you have a high energy personality and like to move around then do it.....just make sure its real and not phoney.
 
#97
Dougiebass29 said:
Really, it doesn't matter what your stage presence is as a bass player, you just have to play kick ass music, keep the rythm, and just have a good time. Now personally, I flip out on stage, with jumping and "battling the guitarist", but whatever you prefer as long as you think you have good stage presnse.
Rock On
:bassist:
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Invalid Link Removed

OK, since it's been zombified anyway -- it depends both on the music and on the band, and on the individual. If the band as a whole is a mobile, interactive bunch of people, then the bassist should be too - jump around, go over to the guitarist or the singer, whatever. If the other band members are NOT so mobile, though, a bass player who's the only one moving around will just look out of place.

I was just watching Yes' Songs from Tsongas concert DVD, and it struck me -- Chris Squire is just itching to bounce all over the place. Rick Wakemen is entrenched behind his ring of keyboards and Alan White in his gazillion-piece drum set, Steve Howe resolutely stands in place burning holes in his fretboard with his stare, Jon Anderson is kind of floating in place and pretty audience-focused -- and Squire is spinning, bouncing, dropping to one knee, making hand flourishes as he plucks notes. I think he wants to do a lot more but keeps it down.
 
#98
I bounce my head and tap my foot. Sometimes (I know it's silly) I go for a power stance during our more intense songs.

I've seen video of myself. I look pretty stupid doing the power stance thing though so I'll probably just sit in the background an hold the music together like a good boy. Besides, I only have two gigs to go before I leave the band so I don't matter much anymore.
 

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