Do you dance when you play bass?

[dreamadream99]

several lovely ladies came up and said they loved the way I danced

Clearly, they didn’t realize you were just the bass player.

 

[micguy]

I play in churches. The drummer is stuck in a chair, the keyboard player can’t really go anywhere, the worship leader is stuck to his mic, and apparently worship guitar parts require you to have one foot on your pedalboard at all times. I’m the bass player. I move more than anyone else most of the time, but I wouldn’t say I move a lot.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Mostly, I jump up and down. And mug for the guitarists. (Captions by my BL.)

 

[swarfrat]

Anyone else find it ironic that the one guy most directly responsible for getting the crowd dancing isn't?

 

[Fxpmusic]

I never walk off stage dry. Dance from first to last song. We want our crowd dancing, not doing so will be make a hypocrite.

 

[corinpills]

If i’m playing dance music or anything groove oriented, I can’t help but move. Mind you, I was once asked to move less while playing with a very indie orch- pop artist. I wad able to contain myself.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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 move. Even some of us fat guys can move when we love what we’re doing.

I’m not a fan of bands that stand still onstage at all. To me it’s just another part of the show. Something I’m pretty hard on myself about actually because I believe these days with modern stuff like YouTube we’re all a search away from finding a ten year old that can play impressively. I’m not saying people have to turn it into a circus and do flips or freak out on the ground like seizurecore bands used to but at least sway and look like you’re feeling your own music. I would also say that wanting to be more energetic onstage again has been one of the things that’s been driving me to get in better shape.

This video was shot when I was at my heaviest weight. Probably 280-290lbs and I hated how I looked and how little I moved


I was honestly pretty mad when we were making this video because the ground was so uneven it’s was very difficult to move and it showed in the video.

This is me years back in much better shape. Probably around 70 lbs lighter.
I’m working to get back to that kind of energy.

 

[2112]

Robert Fripp crew checking in...

 

[RickyWoo]

I don't dance but I do move. I have zero control over it.

 

[HeadWind]

I like the way this guy does it:

 

[fretter]

as Celtic Frost so aptly put it in 1987...

 

[btmpancake]

several lovely ladies came up and said they loved the way I danced while I played bass.

Dude, you were putting on a real show for the ladies. That's what it's all about. Single guys I know crave for that situation and try to exploit it too.

 

[bassbully]

Dance? No, I would look like an idiot.

 

[4SG]

I like room to move while I'm playing. I don't 'dance' per se, but I don't stand there like a statue, either. That said, I hate histrionic bass players leaping around. I try to keep the bass face to a minimum as well.

 

[pudgychef]

I realize I'm standing stalk still, or bobbing my head like Pino, so I run around like an idiot for a minute, then go back to my Bill Wyman pose. Sometimes I dance, but it's to a different drummer than everyone else hears, so the general concensus is 'Is there something wrong with her?'

To be fair the IV and Oxygen tank may be adding to the impression/possibility of something being wrong with 'her'
I blame Fender....

 

[IamGroot]

Drummers love synchronization...

Do you fire them individually or with just one letter?

 

[Pops OB]

Do you fire them individually or with just one letter?

They are drummers. Only one letter is needed, lol!

 

[pudgychef]

I like room to move while I'm playing. I don't 'dance' per se, but I don't stand there like a statue, either. That said, I hate histrionic bass players leaping around. I try to keep the bass face to a minimum as well.

Too much thinking/worrying...
I just rock it...and what happens, happens...maybe a bass face pops out....maybe a two step or a bop to the beat ...never been short of gigs or company, so despite not being super talented, something makes it work on both levels.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Not only do I dance, but I've got one hell of a stink face while dancing

 

[bassdrummer]

Depends on the drummer's timekeeping ability or lack thereof... I move a lot when I'm playing bass while trying to communicate tempo to the drummer by stomping my foot (or entire leg!) or bobbing my head (or entire upper body!)

But even with a competent drummer, I do enjoy moving naturally to the music while playing bass. I'm usually singing too, so that involves expressive movement too, to serve the mood and dynamics of the song.