Do you dance when you play bass?

[IamGroot]

I ...When I see my movements recorded on my smartphone camera, I'm not pleased. It all remains whether or not I'll ever sound that good. The movement certainly isn't so great. But I'll continue to indulge it for rhythm and feel.

I had the same feelings about certain other activies captured on video, but I do them just the same.

 

[Pagorn Suebwong]

Ha ha, I will have my position standing and depending on what is that song? and what is it saying???

 

[RobinG]

For years, vocalist would tell me they would watch my left foot for the ONE, (I'm left handed, play Bass Righty, and Drums Lefty).
I used to set out my prancing space at a gig, but I've matured..
At my age, in an 8 piece band, I balance the stage, sitting on the opposite of the Key player. I rarely stand up, but everyone knows where ONE is!
Robin

 

[leftyjohn]

Tonight most of my dancing involved dodging servers with trays full of food. We were playing at a small eatery.......near the kitchen......they must have liked us because the kitchen staff turned off their music......they don't always do that....but they didn't dance......so i guess we got some improving to do.......maybe learning to dance would do it......no.....just play better.

 

[Captain Comet]

I can dance if I can just keep my arms from doing stupid things.
Keeping them busy playing keeps that in check.

I do move around a lot on stage if I am enjoying what I am playing. In my last band, the singer and I were center stage and were the most active. I have a fabric strap that is tied to the headstock, and if the singer was getting hit by it, he knew he was getting getting a tuner stuck in his ear next, and that he needed to give me space. We were pretty entertaining, there was a good amount of comedy in our shows.The guitar players were a bit more reserved.

 

[Dave Neal]

I can't even stay still if I'm concentrating, like when I'm trying to figure out what the heck someone is doing when they leap out into random music space, so I'm definitely not going to be still the rest of the time. That said, there's usually not too much room. I really need to get a wireless rig, too.

I ditched all my wireless gear in exchange for a Line 6 G10.. love it.

 

[Polfuste]

I can't stop my body to move. It's not really dancing, but moving. Even when attending a concert as listener, i can't do it without moving and balancing both my head and body to the groove. I just.. can't.

 

[Kathy Clark]

At last nights jam session, I had really excellent players and new Rotosounds 66s on my Thunderbird and the spirit of Flea and Billy Sheehan did rest upon me heavily and made me funky and mobile. Afterwards, I dragged my aged sweat drenched body to the bar where several lovely ladies came up and said they loved the way I danced while I played bass.

So, just wondering...do you move around a lot, or stand still like a zombie when you play.

 

[Kathy Clark]

When I was a teen, I stood like a zombie, which looked & felt weird. When I was 40ish got in a stage band where I had to sit in the pit, now in my 60s, definitely still sitting

 

[GonePlaid]

When I was a teen, I stood like a zombie, which looked & felt weird. When I was 40ish got in a stage band where I had to sit in the pit, now in my 60s, definitely still sitting

I hear that. I'm 72 and made it 'til this past December standing on gigs. Now I prop my keester on a stool. Still don't dance!

 

[IamGroot]

When I was a teen, I stood like a zombie, which looked & felt weird. When I was 40ish got in a stage band where I had to sit in the pit, now in my 60s, definitely still sitting

Pit jobs are the BEST, especially if all you have to do is bring a bass and plug in. I hope your stuff changes regularly. I did some musicals and was ready to chew my arm off after about 5 performances.

 

[IamGroot]

Plus you can practice between songs. Make sure the mute to the DLI is on. I use a foot volume pedal. that is normally full open or closed.

 

[caledoneus83]

I ditched all my wireless gear in exchange for a Line 6 G10.. love it.

I picked up the G30 a while back... loving the freedom to move around the stage/ venue

 

[GonePlaid]

If you're just standing still, you really have no business playing live. I give it everything I've got when I play. You couldn't call it dancing, but I have got a lot of moves. My headstock is no stranger to our singers head....

That's great - if there's room. as for the" "no business playing live",I'm glued to where the mic I SING through is,so take that opinion and cram it!

 

[GonePlaid]

That's great - if there's room. as for the" "no business playing live",I'm glued to where the mic I SING through is,so take that opinion and cram it!

I realize that may be a bit harsh, but not all of us have the luxury of having a spacious stage-sometimes it's just a corner of the room, near the kitchen and tight. And I DO sing on almost every number, so even if my knees could hack moving around-if there was room-I'm stuck in one spot. Oh,one other thing,I in no way retract the"cram it".

 

[bassplayinguy40]

At last nights jam session, I had really excellent players and new Rotosounds 66s on my Thunderbird and the spirit of Flea and Billy Sheehan did rest upon me heavily and made me funky and mobile. Afterwards, I dragged my aged sweat drenched body to the bar where several lovely ladies came up and said they loved the way I danced while I played bass.

So, just wondering...do you move around a lot, or stand still like a zombie when you play.

I flip people off! And make sure they know my bands name, its called The Phucking Payme Band!

 

[Stacy hikt]

Step 1: Sway back and forth
Step 2: nodding head
Step 3: head bang
Step 4: drunken master movements kick in
Step 5: go off and try not to break another bass or bandmate

 

[Passinwind]

So, just wondering...do you move around a lot, or stand still like a zombie when you play.

Neither one. And I generally prefer that the audience doesn't dance in any case, but of course in some situations it's pretty much the whole point.

 

[GonePlaid]

Neither one. And I generally prefer that the audience doesn't dance in any case, but of course in some situations it's pretty much the whole point. View attachment 2981550

Otherwise they look like an oil painting-or the cast of"Coma"

 

[StatesideRambler]

I hear that. I'm 72 and made it 'til this past December standing on gigs. Now I prop my keester on a stool. Still don't dance!

Skunk Baxter rocked out bigtime on his stool.