Dressing well and dancing

[KohanMike]

I play bass uke with a 60 person uke group, most of us sit while performing, which I do, but I'm always moving in tempo. A few people have even mentioned that they like sitting behind me because my movement helps them stay in tempo. We don't have an official dress code, but many wear Hawaiian shirts of their own choosing.

 

[Musicalhossgal]

I tend to like to Bop a little bit. Although I know a band where the bass player is all over the place and everybody else including the lead singer are relatively still. To me he is standing out and overshadowing the lead singer too much. No sandals or shorts!

 

[uglyface]

I read somewhere that in order to be a good bass player, you need to dress well and dance while you are performing live. How many think that these two things are really necessary for being a bass player in a gigging band?

I have friends who are good bass players. They definitely do not dress well nor dance while performing.

 

[Ritchie_Darling]

As I have said before, I would be happy if I could get them to BATHE and wear CLEAN clothes!

A little deodorant wouldn't hurt either!

 

[pwhalen]

oh yeah I forgot they are all original band playing what they created instead of playing cover ...

Chick and Dream Theater both play covers/standards from time to time, so not sure what your point is supposed to be.

 

[Old Blastard]

I don't really dance on purpose. But if we hit a groove and it moves I can't stand still.

 

[Speedhitter]

I'm in an originals punk band and even we adhere to a dress code of sorts. For the most part, no shorts, no hats, nothing lame. Look the part, or what's the point?

If you wear the same clothes on stage that you'd wear to pick up some supplies from home depot on a Saturday morning, than you're ruining music performance to the casual show-goer.

100% with ya! Cheers!

 

[hdscout]

I can't help it. If my playing doesn't make me dance, how can i expect someone else to want to dance?
As to dress- when I'm playing in my Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, I dress like Leon. When I play classic rock at a beach bar, I wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts. If I were to play at a nudist colony...

 

[David Canady]

Are people watching you play? If yes, then your gig is a show. Maybe you are not a "dancer" but how you move and react to the audience and to your fellow musicians on stage says you love what you are doing and are having fun doing it. The audience feeds on that. What you wear all depends on the venue....wedding, private party summer BBQ, country bar, or casino. Show some pride in your profession. If you are a grunge band then baggy Levis and a torn Ramones shirt is the right attire. One of my bands wears kilts. It was an investment but we get lots of gigs and the ladies love it!

 

[Kevin Colt]

how can one not move when playing the bass? gotta make it look like you're having a good time, it's contagious. next thing you know, everyone's dancing and having fun.

 

[Flying B]

If you wear your bass up by your nipples you should be doing the chicken move with your head. If it's down by your crotch you should be standing in a rock stance, feet at least 6ft apart while head banging. Anything in between is, to be frank, obscene.
Dress-wise, Hawaiian shirts cover any social situation I can imagine.

 

[Christcr]

Are people watching you play?

As a bass player... no.

Unless you're Geddy Lee. And I've never seen Geddy dress up for a gig.

Kidding aside, if someone asks me to do a gig where I need to "dress up," I simply say no. It's just not worth it because I know it will be a gig that won't be any fun and I'll feel out of my element for the entire performance. I've actually quit a couple of bands over that very thing over the years. If I can't feel comfortable playing, I'm not going to play well, and I'm going to spend the entire gig wishing I wasn't there. I honestly hate being around stuffy people, whether for a gig or just hanging out. I never do corporate things if asked and rarely do weddings unless it's a totally informal thing. I'm not a "dress up" person. Ha, I'd actually feel more comfortable onstage with a dress and wig. That's how much I loathe "dressing up." Any more required than a tee shirt and jeans... nope.

 

[Rompin Roddy]

At the end of the day, all I really want from a performer is a sense of genuineness.

As far as dressing, there's a difference between "dressing up" and having style.

Rule of thumb is to dress appropriately for the gig.

 

[David Canady]

Thanks but I'll dress to the occasion.

 

[Joma3]

You can be an amazing player yet boring as hell.
You can be a mediocre player but entertaining as hell.
Which would you rather pay to see?

 

[Christcr]

I'm always with Pedro on this matter...



"Hey, these uniforms are lame, man."

.

 

[NZBassman]

the problem with this is that most men cannot multi-task.... so playing the bass and trying to dance at the same time is out of the question.... I struggle to do backing vocals sometimes while playing bass..... besides most of the stages I play on are small and there is barely enough room for all the amps / drums...etc... let alone room for me to do some 'twerking' while playing the bass
It makes no difference to my playing if I am wearing a t-shirt and shorts or a 3 piece suit.... but my preference it for t-shirt and jeans

 

[David Canady]

the problem with this is that most men cannot multi-task.... I struggle to do backing vocals sometimes while playing bass.....

Playing bass in an acoustic duo for the past 6 years...guitar and bass...has me singing harmony or lead on almost every song. NOT pretty early on. I still can't dance and count to 4, but I can smile and make eye contact with the audience. I try to avoid biting my lower lip and nodding my head like a Pigeon. I've never thought of a gig as playing music. It's a show. It's entertainment. Music is the best part....or maybe the free beer.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Chick and Dream Theater both play covers/standards from time to time, so not sure what your point is supposed to be.

They aren't dancing or dress well like so many cover do to engage the audiance.

 

[Watchootognbout]

how can one not move when playing the bass? gotta make it look like you're having a good time, it's contagious. next thing you know, everyone's dancing and having fun.

You really think we all play music that you dance to?