Do you noodle on stage???

[organworthyplayer337]

Only if the drummer is playing just to get acclimated, I might join in with my pathetic improvisation. But when the audio engineer asks us to stop, or asks the drummer to sound check something specific, I stop lol

 

[troy mcclure]

I noodle mid song... I call them fills... but it is really me just never wanted to play the same thing twice...

 

[LBS-bass]

Random noodling isn’t cool but neither is dead air between songs. I always have a few lines in reserve to fill dead air during guitar switches. But I wouldn’t consider it “noodling” at all. it’s actually very planned out with our drummer and I playing a recognizable songs The go
To being the verse of Rearranged by limp Bizkit as it gets the ladies dancing and lightens the mood and can get some giggles at the same time. We also jam lateralis and Disposition by Tool. Some old RATM like bullet in the head and settle for nothing. But yeah. I wouldn’t call that noodling. It’s really planned into the show as a way to fill dead time during guitar switches.

If someone's too slow getting the count off started, I'll just start playing the bassline. They can come in when they're ready. The drummer will pick it up after two or four bars and then we just wing it until the vocalist comes in.

 

[LBS-bass]

True.

But I've rarely played in a "shot-"n-beer" bar with a band that does sound checks. Most of the time it's "set up the gear-have a quick drink at the bar--let's rock".

But like I said, if you're playing a venue type gig, it's a no-no. In a bar situation, if I switch to guitar from bass ( and vice-versa) , I'm going to make sure I've got sound before the count off. And by that I mean a quick "plink-plink" on the strings and not practicing an entire song.

I've played plenty of shows like that. Usually there's a few minutes before the first song when everyone's checking their volume, etc. Nothing wrong with that. That's a sorta sound check. But once you have launched into the first song on your set list, you're doing a show and you might be adjusting volumes on the fly, but you don't want to be doing a lot of weird stuff between songs.

 

[lat]

I only noodle in the privacy of my woodshed.

 

[Rib 13]

I've done it before

 

[lat]

Your liver is evil and must be punished

50 lashes with a wet noodle!

 

[lat]

Give this to a noodler... maybe they'll get the hint. Or, maybe it'll backfire.

 

[Frampton]

100% amateur hour. I understand the need to warmup (although I personally don’t), but do it unplugged or with a headphone amp. The audience shouldn’t hear a sound until the opener.

 

[IamGroot]

I am over 65. If I need to limber up, i bring 3 thermos of hot water and a tall plastic pitcher and soak my hands alternately for about 5 minutes. It is amazing how much better i can play after this plus no pain the next day.


And you can reuse the water for special ramen noodles for your band mates.

 

[MegaSwing]

When I go to a symphony or a stage production with a pit orchestra, I hear all kinds of noodling before the show. That's at the highest level of showbiz. What's the big deal?

 

[IamGroot]

When I go to a symphony or a stage production with a pit orchestra, I hear all kinds of noodling before the show. That's at the highest level of showbiz. What's the big deal?

Well, most of them are required to be there at least one hour before the performance.
Once the concertmaster walks out and calls the oboes A, its showtime. Folks sometimes noodle during the tune up, but its discouraged.

Also, brass and winds have a legitimate need to noodle to warm up their instruments and get the reeds set. Its usually restricted to scales.

 

[LBS-bass]

When I go to a symphony or a stage production with a pit orchestra, I hear all kinds of noodling before the show. That's at the highest level of showbiz. What's the big deal?

That's called tuning up. It's how they do it in an orchestra. But once everyone is in tune and warmed up and the conductor taps his baton to signal the show is about to begin, you'd better not make so much as a peep out of turn.

Nothing different in any other setting. I assume the OP means noodling between songs, not before a show begins.

 

[Manticore]

No. Never. Nothing says "amateur" like noodling between songs.

 

[Wolford]

Do you noodle on stage???

Never. Ever.

 

[Jeff Scott]

 

[Pbassmanca]

"Do you noodle on stage???"

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jamro217]

I find noodling onstage the musical equivalent of a surgeon biting his fingernails before an operation. No!!!

 

[IamGroot]

That's called tuning up. It's how they do it in an orchestra. But once everyone is in tune and warmed up and the conductor taps his baton to signal the show is about to begin, you'd better not make so much as a peep out of turn.

Nothing different in any other setting. I assume the OP means noodling between songs, not before a show begins.

OP here. I meant before the gig as well.


My preference is the equipment and sound adjustments stop 30 minutes before the show. At showtime, all members file onstage as a group, the singer greets the audience, introduces the first song, count off and away she goes. Not a single chord, pentatonic riff, slap or snare hit/drum kick occurs between sound check and downbeat.

 

[IamGroot]

I am over 65. If I need to limber up, i bring 3 thermos of hot water and a tall plastic pitcher and soak my hands alternately for about 5 minutes. It is amazing how much better i can play after this plus no pain the next day.


And you can reuse the water for special ramen noodles for your band mates.

I forgot to add you can do this and hour before performing and see benefits.

If my fingers are stiff before I practice, i do the same.

Serious piano players do this.