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I can't move onstage!! Please HELP!
- Thread starter Laineye
- Start date
If OP's problem is that she is freezing up on stage because HER PARENTS ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, somehow I doubt that drinking more is going to help the situation much.
i can't stand still at a show.. never could.
I may not be the best technical guy you ever heard play, but I will make sure I put on the best show I can for you, so that you aren't bored.. and feel like you got your money's worth.
I may not be the best technical guy you ever heard play, but I will make sure I put on the best show I can for you, so that you aren't bored.. and feel like you got your money's worth.
Hi,
Find some videos on Youtube of live performances of groups, performers, and/or bassists that you like. Maybe you'll find some moves that you can emulate. Always smile and make eye contact with lots of folks in the crowd, or at least pretend you're making eye contact.
I don't move much. I will walk around and interact with the other members of the band. I will put one foot in front of the other and rock forward and back. Sometimes I'll do the "Dwight Yoakam boot shuffle".
http://youtu.be/1CizszvCsiI
Invalid Link Removed
I'll do the shuffle but I usually leave out the pelvic thrusting. Your parents would probably want you to leave that out too.
As you're walking around stage, point your headstock right at someone and play right toward them for a few bars. Then move on to the next fan. Lift your bass neck up and bring it down quickly at those dramatic parts of the song that you want to accent. There are all kinds of little things you can do to move with the music.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
Find some videos on Youtube of live performances of groups, performers, and/or bassists that you like. Maybe you'll find some moves that you can emulate. Always smile and make eye contact with lots of folks in the crowd, or at least pretend you're making eye contact.
I don't move much. I will walk around and interact with the other members of the band. I will put one foot in front of the other and rock forward and back. Sometimes I'll do the "Dwight Yoakam boot shuffle".
http://youtu.be/1CizszvCsiI
Invalid Link Removed
I'll do the shuffle but I usually leave out the pelvic thrusting. Your parents would probably want you to leave that out too.
As you're walking around stage, point your headstock right at someone and play right toward them for a few bars. Then move on to the next fan. Lift your bass neck up and bring it down quickly at those dramatic parts of the song that you want to accent. There are all kinds of little things you can do to move with the music.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
I would assume bassbully was joking, I certainly was. Recommending drinking is of course not a good idea at all, especially for someone young and just starting out.
Just to make that clear in case there was any doubt.
yeah, drink because you wanna be buzzed, not to get over stage fright or anxiety; i know and have also heard too many stories of new players nervous about being on stage, discovering that a good buzz fixed that, then never playing (or doing much of anything else) sober again!
anyway, i remember long ago talking to the bass player of some local band after their show, when another band member came up and dropped a compliment on the bass playing (which i concurred with); she responded with, "yeah, it's because i play bass with my butt!"
silly as that sounded i immediately knew what she meant and took it to heart; she kinda "kept time" with her whole body, moving around to the beat and living inside the groove. it wasn't any kind of sexy dancing thing, it was just "bass player owning the bassline and driving the band".
anyway, i remember long ago talking to the bass player of some local band after their show, when another band member came up and dropped a compliment on the bass playing (which i concurred with); she responded with, "yeah, it's because i play bass with my butt!"
silly as that sounded i immediately knew what she meant and took it to heart; she kinda "kept time" with her whole body, moving around to the beat and living inside the groove. it wasn't any kind of sexy dancing thing, it was just "bass player owning the bassline and driving the band".
Drinking is a terrible idea! Cut your parents a break. They are proud of you. One day you might be in their shoes. I remember a long time ago I was working for an agent who suggested I move more. It was unnatural at first for sure. It sounds dumb, but practicing in front of a mirror can help. Also get someone to shoot video of the band. Maybe all you need to do if stand there like Bill Wyman. You'll have a better idea if you can watch a video.
also, being on a rock band stage is almost like a "reverse magnifying glass"; you think you're comfortably moving around and acting "natural", while to the audience you're like a statue!
you think you're going over-the-top crazy putting on a ridiculous rock show, and the crowd is like "yeah, he's moving around a bit i guess."
there's no reason to be nervous about it, the crowd mostly doesn't notice and mostly doesn't care either way.
you think you're going over-the-top crazy putting on a ridiculous rock show, and the crowd is like "yeah, he's moving around a bit i guess."
there's no reason to be nervous about it, the crowd mostly doesn't notice and mostly doesn't care either way.
My kids are both taking music lessons and coming up through the ranks, so I've watched a lot of younger players. And I've got my own experience to fall back on. So here are some thoughts:
1. Typically, it takes a while for kids to start moving their bodies along with the music, and it happens for different kids at different ages. So don't be too impatient with yourself.
2. I'd say there are two forms of movement. One is expressive movement that is a visual effect, but the other is just achieving a fluid motion of your body that enhances your rhythm, as in: Your body is your metronome. The best example I can think of is from the upright bass side, Chris Fitzgerald's video on jazz pizzicato technique, where he involves his entire arm in the motion of plucking each note.
Maybe you could think about this aspect of moving your body, as a form of technique rather than showmanship, as a way of being slightly less self conscious about it.
And as has been mentioned, start moving around while you practice.
1. Typically, it takes a while for kids to start moving their bodies along with the music, and it happens for different kids at different ages. So don't be too impatient with yourself.
2. I'd say there are two forms of movement. One is expressive movement that is a visual effect, but the other is just achieving a fluid motion of your body that enhances your rhythm, as in: Your body is your metronome. The best example I can think of is from the upright bass side, Chris Fitzgerald's video on jazz pizzicato technique, where he involves his entire arm in the motion of plucking each note.
Maybe you could think about this aspect of moving your body, as a form of technique rather than showmanship, as a way of being slightly less self conscious about it.
And as has been mentioned, start moving around while you practice.
- Nov 9, 2009
- 360
- 100
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Reunion Blues, 64 Audio, Mesa Engineering, Ernie Ball.
Why does your parents being at your gig affect your movement? My parents (RIP Dad) have come to see me play at punk shows, high-profile gigs, small churches, big churches, and bars… there have been gigs where I was aware of their presence, but it didn't affect me moving.
I'm not saying your parents are the same, but I do not understand the issue, and I would like to...
I'm not saying your parents are the same, but I do not understand the issue, and I would like to...
I understand it. For many people, their stage persona means reinventing themselves. Acting (for instance) like a rock sex godess might be difficult if your parents are watching and (you feel) they still think of you as their little girl (boy).
The issue is in the performer, not her parents. But it is real. It's easier to let go and act crazy in front of strangers. It's much harder in front of your parents (depending of course on you're relationship with your parents). For the same reason, wearing a mask or costume can be freeing, as it's somebody else acting crazy, not you any more.
The issue is in the performer, not her parents. But it is real. It's easier to let go and act crazy in front of strangers. It's much harder in front of your parents (depending of course on you're relationship with your parents). For the same reason, wearing a mask or costume can be freeing, as it's somebody else acting crazy, not you any more.
I would assume bassbully was joking, I certainly was. Recommending drinking is of course not a good idea at all, especially for someone young and just starting out.
Just to make that clear in case there was any doubt.
I owe both you and bassbully an apology. I somehow failed to notice that you had both included smilies to make clear you were kidding. Maybe I've got to adjust my meds or something....
Always worth a repost, so many funny moments.
To the OP, performance is a skill, it takes practice just like the music does. Video tape a few practices while you try out different things. Then watch them in the privacy of your own space and critique. Rinse and repeat until you like it.
I've never seen that. That's awesome!
I don't typically laugh out loud at youtube videos - but holy cow that was hilarious!!
Be who you ARE, not who you think others want you to be. I've known some VERY cool cats with serious chops who are heads-down, totally focused on the groove, in sync with the band, and appear detached from the audience ... while layin' down some killer riffs. I'll take that guy/girl before the guy who has an over the top stage presence and runs around the stage, makes "bass faces", tells inane jokes to the audience, (ie, acts like a ass) and can't play while he's doing it.
I was just thinking the same thing. OP, please chime in and let us know if any of this has been helpful.
