I can't dance! Teach me how to move on stage!

[BayStateBass]

When all else fails, develop some facial expressions.

There is a local country bassist that I've randomly caught a few times. He doesnt move. He plays such that his fingers barely move, like the lightest possible touch and his left hand doesnt need to move much either, only in special cirucmstances. It's like he's trying to earn some award for economy of motion. What he DOES have is a Look. A Look. He'll just look at you- maybe flash his eyes a bit- while he's doing what appears to be next to nothing and it's intense. [I'm not kidding]

Oh.....so you caught one of our shows.....

Seriously, I have been told to be more animated on stage. I'm not a real shaker. But generally speaking I don't think in the genre of music we do it's really expected that the bass player is high energy, anyway.

I limit my moves to kinda walking around a little bit in about a 4' radius. Sometimes I go all out and turn to look at the drummer. I have one song where I walk up next to the singer because there is a prominent part in the song where there's only bass, drums, and singing. I might rock back and forth a little from time to time but that's about it.

We have singers and guitarists who get all the attention anyway.

The biggest thing I found is facial expression. You can be standing fairly still but as long as you have the big smile on your face and look like it's a real good time, it goes a long way. Jumping around only goes so far if your expression is one of total disinterest.

However.......standing perfectly still with a look on your face like you just dropped a loaf in your pants.....is the kiss of death.