Dressing well and dancing

[RichardW]

1) NO SHORTS. Otherwise, dress code depends on venue, style of music, what the audience is likely to be wearing (you wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a bar gig; conversely, you wouldn't wear torn jeans and a T-shirt to a wedding gig), and what the rest of the band is wearing.
2) Nobody is there to watch you dance, unless you are in a dance troupe.
3) How do you want your audience to remember you: as a great bass player or a great dancer? You get to choose one, because the odds of your being both are slim and none.

 

[robgo]

Never confuse being a bass player with being an entertainer. There is no reason you can't be both, but they are separate skills.

Yes, but if you want people to come and watch you, you'd damn well better be both.

If you don't want to be an entertainer, stay in your bedroom.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Never confuse being a bass player with being an entertainer. There is no reason you can't be both, but they are separate skills.

Truth.
But your ability to do both well and put use them together will directly impact your financial success as a musician.

 

[sigterm]

 

[bolophonic]

Never confuse being a bass player with being an entertainer. There is no reason you can't be both, but they are separate skills.

Boom.

 

[Jeremyberb]

I'm in a Country focused variety band. I don't wear a cowboy hat or boots, but i wear fresh Blue/Black Jeans and some sort of pearl snap/distressed flannel and either chukka boots or derby shoes. Bottom line - Dress how the band dresses. Fit in, but bring your own flavor.

As for dancing - I think a wedding/pop band should potentially have some choreographed moves during certain songs? It's all up to interpretation - if your music moves you, then keep on moving!

 

[bassliner50]

Those elements of theatrics (dress, dance, production etc.) are genre dependant. ie: MJQ (modern jazz quartet) wore impeccable black tuxedos, stood still, with faces in grimaced concentration. -Perfectly appropriate and served them well. Try the same presentation in an over the top punk band, and the audience will be uncomfortably off balance and not sure what to make of it. Hope that will answer your question at least in part.

 

[mrcbass]

It really all depends.

Dressing appropriately is always, well appropriate. Weather it's nice, grungy or somewhere in between depends on the scene.

"Dancing" is not usually so much a thing, but being "into" the song is important. How much you display your "into-ness" depends on the scene's, your band's overall presence and of course your comfort level. Playing well is more important than showing off in most cases for a bass player.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

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?

Whatever it was you read, what they meant to say is anybody can be a good bass player, but if you are playing before an audience, whether you realize it or not, you are also performing. Which, if you're in a band, involves connecting with each other and with the audience. How you look and how you move are a big part of that.

 

[PaulJSmith]

Hahaha ... my best friend and guitar player has always teased me about being a stone Buddha on my side of the stage, so a few years ago I made this meme for him.

Wearing a hockey sweater on stage, too ... breaking all the rules. I'm a rebel like that.

 

[sean_on_bass]

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?

Neither are indicators of a good bass player. A good bass player plays the bass well, which clothes and dancing cannot assist with.

 

[Stevorebob]

I think it’s a good idea to inspire the audience to want to look at you, to enjoy looking at you, to want to be you or be with you.

 

[jshinal]

People wear uniforms that usually define them to an extent. You can mostly tell who the office workers are, who the metal heads are, who the bikers are, etc. So define yourself to the audience, and do it in a way they will relate to.

I choose to dress a bit better than the audience, so I look different. Most of our gigs are hot too, so I also wear dressy clothes that breathe well, and don't show sweat. I don't have the room or coordination to dance while performing, but I make a point of being energetic and rhythmic in whatever I'm doing while I play.

 

[pbass2]

If it's the kind of band where "dancing" stage moves are appropriate, just make sure you actually can pull it off without looking like an idiot. Just 'cause we can groove on the bass, does not necessarily mean we're good at dancing (I should know--I can play bass, drums, etc. but I look like a dummy dancing!).

 

[grinx]

Whatever repels dix and attrax chix

I like to look the part but......
My bandmates like to look like hobos who mow lawns

I stand out in a good and bad way, sometimes

 

[Cheez]

Dressing well? Dancing Around?
Seems to work for Flea!

 

[two fingers]

Never confuse being a bass player with being an entertainer. There is no reason you can't be both, but they are separate skills.

Well stated.

 

[Richland123]

Like this guy?

 

[DirtDog]

If you play in a country band, I don't know. I don't see or hear much country.

Nudie suit or Scully shirt, boots and a subtle two step! Reference: Dusty Hill.

 

[baileyboy]

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 must've missed all those clips of John Entwistle dancing. The ones I've seen show him standing like a statue.