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How do you improve your stage presence?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
that's a lot of jumping - it's a band and a cardio workout!
great song, btw, with hints of RHCP.
Movement is key. I try to step away from the mic when not singing and then rush up to it when I have to sing (duh). Seems obvious, but it's an easy way to force yourself to move around.
Of course, John Entwistle was famous for barely moving at all. But then, you're not John Entwistle and neither am I.
And did any one mention not wearing shorts?
I am the talent buyer for a venue, beside my regular bass playing duties, and recently we recently a four piece band on our (24" tall) stage- we seat 250. The bass player and guitar player wore shorts and sat on regular chairs. not stools. I'm certain the view was much less than pleasant. The owner was not impressed and it's going to cost them all future bookings. I know there are times when it's totally appropriate to wear shorts, but seriously. This business has seriously changed and the days of showing up and JUST playing, or even faxing in your parts (lol) are over if you want to get paid a reasonable price. There are just too many guys, and gals, that don't seem to understand that image is a large part of a show.
Going to retrieve my flameproof shorts now...
It's so hard to explain "stage presence".. It can't be explained but some people have it and some other people don't.
I guess that it comes from a place of joy and self confidence and relax...It can be faked.
Years ago I tried too hard to be a showman,moving a lot, jumping, walking among the crowd, pushing things to create an impact in the audience, I tried to fake charisma and confidence. I watched an old video and I look like some kind of weirdo/attention seeker.....After spending time meditating at home and focusing more on the joy of playing, my experience is way better than before .. I just come out and play with confidence and enjoy every single note I play.. mistakes included...this display of confidence can be seen as "Stage presence"... I don't care too much about moving up and down ..thess things happen naturally now while I'm playing..
I guess that it comes from a place of joy and self confidence and relax...It can be faked.
Years ago I tried too hard to be a showman,moving a lot, jumping, walking among the crowd, pushing things to create an impact in the audience, I tried to fake charisma and confidence. I watched an old video and I look like some kind of weirdo/attention seeker.....After spending time meditating at home and focusing more on the joy of playing, my experience is way better than before .. I just come out and play with confidence and enjoy every single note I play.. mistakes included...this display of confidence can be seen as "Stage presence"... I don't care too much about moving up and down ..thess things happen naturally now while I'm playing..
It depends. If you are a big guy moving alot could be negative because you look silly. I think the way to go is solemn, well dressed, like Al Berry for example.
If you are little, you can move a lot, shirtless, you are light, you are supposed to be energic.
But at the end is all subjetive
If you are little, you can move a lot, shirtless, you are light, you are supposed to be energic.
But at the end is all subjetive
Thank you!
Yes, every gig was a major workout for sure. But we always got the crowd going and dancing with us, which is not easy with original music.
play music you feel deeply connected to.
nobody had to teach flea to become a maniac - he's just playing music he feels he needs to play.
there's also no shame in not being flea. i think so, at least.
nobody had to teach flea to become a maniac - he's just playing music he feels he needs to play.
there's also no shame in not being flea. i think so, at least.
In my mind, a musical performance is about creating an emotional connection between the performer and the audience. Feed them the energy you want back from them. If you move, they will move; if you look like you are having fun, they will have fun.
There are some contextual things that have to be worked out:
If you are a side man or part of a supporting band, you don't want to upstage the main attraction. If you are in the band for someone doing a residency in Vegas, your job is to be heard and not seen.
You don't want to over do it. I've seen late night TV performances where the band is playing some pretty bland stuff but thrashing around like they are playing Slayer covers at a frat house kegger. It looks dumb.
Coordinate with the band. You don't want to be the only person "doing something" or the only one not. Sometimes a little spontaneous (but totally planned) stage movement or interaction between band members looks good.
Also think about your venue. If you are the entertainment at bar\theater then movement is appropriate. If you are a wedding band or playing at a car show, local fair, etc the audience isn't really paying a lot of attention to you and the band is mostly there for ambiance.
There are some contextual things that have to be worked out:
If you are a side man or part of a supporting band, you don't want to upstage the main attraction. If you are in the band for someone doing a residency in Vegas, your job is to be heard and not seen.
You don't want to over do it. I've seen late night TV performances where the band is playing some pretty bland stuff but thrashing around like they are playing Slayer covers at a frat house kegger. It looks dumb.
Coordinate with the band. You don't want to be the only person "doing something" or the only one not. Sometimes a little spontaneous (but totally planned) stage movement or interaction between band members looks good.
Also think about your venue. If you are the entertainment at bar\theater then movement is appropriate. If you are a wedding band or playing at a car show, local fair, etc the audience isn't really paying a lot of attention to you and the band is mostly there for ambiance.
+1.
There’s a lot to be said for being positive and genuine when up on stage.
Kim Deal radiates it better than most.
I used to use an old trick a jazz sax player suggested when I first started playing out. He said with an instrument like a sax or bass there’s going to be at least one pretty woman in every audience who is going to be really into what you’re playing and smiling at you.
Make eye contact.
Smile back.
And play for her.
He said the audience will feel the chemistry in the air and pick up on it, because “Everybody loves lovers” as he put it.
And guess what? It works.
Make eye contact.
Smile back.
And play for her.
He said the audience will feel the chemistry in the air and pick up on it, because “Everybody loves lovers” as he put it.
And guess what? It works.
Just get a lead singer with too much stage presence and the rest of the band doesn't need any at all.
I do AT LEAST 5 back flips per set while playing bass.
