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Do you smile when you play? [Poll]

Do you smile when you play?

  • Yep! I grin like I don’t have a care in the world.

  • Nope! I’m intense and focused.

  • Never thought about it. I probably look like a grump.

  • I’m conscious of it. I try and look pleasant.

  • How can I smile with this carrot in my mouth?

Results are only viewable after voting.
#41
tb-player said:
I never used to think about it. But in the last few years, I’ve been playing Sunday mornings at a church that has developed a significant media department, which means my face is on camera every dang week. So when I watch the playback, I see what a grumpy bass player I can look like. As a result, I have started including smiling in my practice routine.

To be clear, I don’t stand up there grinning like an idiot. Sometimes, the only answer is bass-face. However, I’ve learned to be mindful of the fact that I’m doing something I really love and my overall demeanor should reflect that.

Sounds silly, but it’s a real thing.

Anyone else ever pay attention to this?
(As always, photos encouraged!)

View attachment 4442542
Click to expand...
Honestly, it depends on what I'm playing.
 
#44
I try to smile as much as I can but usually end up looking like this....
tenor.gif
 
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#45
tb-player said:
I never used to think about it. But in the last few years, I’ve been playing Sunday mornings at a church that has developed a significant media department, which means my face is on camera every dang week. So when I watch the playback, I see what a grumpy bass player I can look like. As a result, I have started including smiling in my practice routine.

To be clear, I don’t stand up there grinning like an idiot. Sometimes, the only answer is bass-face. However, I’ve learned to be mindful of the fact that I’m doing something I really love and my overall demeanor should reflect that.

Sounds silly, but it’s a real thing.

Anyone else ever pay attention to this?
(As always, photos encouraged!)

View attachment 4442542
Click to expand...

The only time I smile is when someone nails a part or we just have this sync'd vibe. We'll eventually look at each other, with that "Yes!" look. Smiling for/at the audience? Nope.
 
#50
Smiling? Yes as much as possible without forcing it.
I agree with previous comments that playing is fun, so it is quite easy to be happy doing it. Even my bass face often includes a smile.
One caveat: When playing certain types of bars or events that are heavily skewed to a certain type of individual, beware of smiling and making eye contact (especially, but not exclusively with the ladies). It turns out that can definitely be misconstrued.
 
#56
My wife says I look way too serious on stage and I should look like I’m having fun. but I explained that I’m concentrating, listening to the others, staying on the beat, and smiling is just one more thing I have to think about.

She also can’t understand why I move about on stage but don’t like dancing. It’s the same thing to her, but when I move around on stage, I’m not thinking about it. When I think about it, that’s when my extra left foot takes over.
 
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