I can't smile and play at the same time

[Bajo Clarkko]

.I was born with somewhat of an Impish grin/smirk on my face, so maybe I'm halfway there already.
That having been said, I'm getting paid to play music that I like; not only that, but there's probably food involved, too. So, why wouldn't I be smiling?!

Lastly, added bonus: It's usually the Bass that's putting the booties out on the dance floor, not a Guitar riff, or a Sax solo, and that's yet another reason to smile.

 

[catcauphonic]

View attachment 746143 I was having a great time playing my $30 beater bass at a blues jam with some great musicians. Looks like it, doesn't it? Something to work on, I guess

Looks like your bass just insulted you

 

[McG]

I may not smile much while playing

But I always smile and nod thank-yous to the crowd when the song is over.

 

[DrayMiles]

Separate yourself from stupid questions/people like that whenever possible...
It's your face, and I personally believe that my obligation is to only play to the best of
my ability, be professional, and courteous within reason. I've had people ask me that same question, which is one of the
reasons I started doing more sessions. I personally feel the only thing worse than a bad drummer is the risk I
associate in dealing with the audience. You never know if you're talking (IMO) to a moron. I don't owe them anything more than the aforementioned. In truth, Who likes dealing with asinine questions when they're at work... but I'm more patient than I used to be...

It DOES depend on the gig, though...

 

[bassrich]

That is someting A&R folks look for. Practice it and do it if you want to "Make it" or just get a goth band going and you wont have to worry about it.

 

[Ric5]

Played a gig last night for a big organization's Christmas party. It was a ton of fun, the band sounded hot, my playing was kicking ass, the dance floor was packed, and I was having the time of my life. A woman came up to me during a break and told me I needed to smile more. "Aren't you having fun?" I said of course! "You don't look like it." I said, "Huh, I'll try." When we went back on, I tried to smile out at the audience as I played -- and found I could not. I missed two notes I wouldn't normally miss. I went back to normal -- concentrating 100% on playing, on listening and locking in with the drummer, on not looking at the neck, etc. My question is: how important is it to be able to look like you're having fun when you're playing? I'd rather sound good and look lame than look good and sound lame. It seems I can only pick one of those.

About 15 years ago I played in a band who told me "Never smile onstage!"

So here I am looking bored with that band ...

 

[petrus61]

Separate yourself from stupid questions/people like that whenever possible...
It's your face, and I personally believe that my obligation is to only play to the best of
my ability, be professional, and courteous within reason. I've had people ask me that same question, which is one of the
reasons I started doing more sessions. I personally feel the only thing worse than a bad drummer is the risk I
associate in dealing with the audience. You never know if you're talking (IMO) to a moron. I don't owe them anything more than the aforementioned. In truth, Who likes dealing with asinine questions when they're at work... but I'm more patient than I used to be...

Only a moron would say something like "You should smile more". It is literally one of the most obnoxious things a person can say to another. My standby answer is that I have a muscular condition in my face that makes it incredibly painful to smile. People like that also made my decision to mostly stop playing out easier. I'm not playing the Tonight Show or Madison Square, fer heavens sake. I can understand doing weddings or corporate events where upgrade of attire and facial expressions are a given, but those gigs financially compensate for the extra emotional labor.

 

[Nev375]

The world is full of people who think there is something wrong with you. They will either casually suggest or actually push you to be like someone you are not. Usually, they want you to be more like them. Stay away from those people and ignore them.

If YOU think it's important to smile, then do so. Otherwise, be yourself.

 

[Jaycephas]

I would like to smile more, but I also do our sound. So I'm constantly having someone in the band say, "I can't hear myself in the monitor", so I'm always dealing with that and other 'tweaks'. And I do a lot of backup vocals, so I can't just 'play the bass', which is what I really just want to do.

I do smile when our fans start dancing and getting crazy, despite the other distractions.

I do it because I enjoy it, so far.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I just learned how to do this. I was smiling at people while playing our last gig. I found out later that it looked really evil b/c we are a metal band.

 

[DavC]

seems to me we are part ' actors ' also ... !? i've played enough crappy gigs as i looked happy ( knowing i was going to be well paid ) ... whatever ... ! if you're having fun , don't be afraid to show it ... but don't put on " that " grin, as if you just passed gas and are trying to kill the drummer .. !

we are up in front of people to entertain them ... ! if not , the juke box would have the job .. as it plays requests .. !

 

[bolophonic]

I'm kind of puzzled by these posters who seem to be obstinately determined to NEVER smile, as though it somehow constitutes a groveling debasement for a showman to be visibly engaged with their audience, or that it is explicit in their contract that they reserve the right to look like they are holding a giant BM while everyone is dancing. I'm not suggesting that everyone is supposed to be giggling like a schoolgirl onstage, but I suspect that many of these "principled" refusals are designed to either rationalize an inability to be visibly engaging or to deflect attention from the fact that these posters only want to do the barest minimum of their job.

It kind of reminds me of guys who stand around on the sidelines at weddings, looking uncomfortable while everyone is having a blast on the dance floor... yeah, I can see that you are having a blast.

 

[twinjet]

Played a gig last night for a big organization's Christmas party. It was a ton of fun, the band sounded hot, my playing was kicking ass, the dance floor was packed, and I was having the time of my life. A woman came up to me during a break and told me I needed to smile more. "Aren't you having fun?" I said of course! "You don't look like it." I said, "Huh, I'll try." When we went back on, I tried to smile out at the audience as I played -- and found I could not. I missed two notes I wouldn't normally miss. I went back to normal -- concentrating 100% on playing, on listening and locking in with the drummer, on not looking at the neck, etc. My question is: how important is it to be able to look like you're having fun when you're playing? I'd rather sound good and look lame than look good and sound lame. It seems I can only pick one of those.

I just go this route and focus on my playing.

 

[DWBass]

Don't get me wrong.......I do smile every now and then especially when we're hittin' on all cylinders! I'm concentrating most of the time. I do a lot of sub gigs so I'm trying to pay attention on what's going on and not smiling for the audience. I don't have a sourpuss face so I do engage the crowd some but sometimes I smile sometimes I don't.

 

[petrus61]

I'm kind of puzzled by these posters who seem to be obstinately determined to NEVER smile, as though it somehow constitutes a groveling debasement for a showman to be visibly engaged with their audience, or that it is explicite in their contract that they reserve the right to look like they are holding a giant BM while everyone is dancing. I'm not suggesting that everyone is supposed to be giggling like a schoolgirl onstage, but I suspect that many of these "principled" refusals are designed to either rationalize an inability to be visibly engaging or to deflect attention from the fact that these posters only want to do the barest minimum of their job.

It kind of reminds me of guys who stand around on the sidelines at weddings, looking uncomfortable while everyone is having a blast on the dance floor... yeah, I can see that you are having a blast.

Yeah, because telling a complete stranger they should smile more isn't rude at all and totally conducive to having a good time.

 

[DrayMiles]

I'm kind of puzzled by these posters who seem to be obstinately determined to NEVER smile, as though it somehow constitutes a groveling debasement for a showman to be visibly engaged with their audience, or that it is explicite in their contract that they reserve the right to look like they are holding a giant BM while everyone is dancing. I'm not suggesting that everyone is supposed to be giggling like a schoolgirl onstage, but I suspect that many of these "principled" refusals are designed to either rationalize an inability to be visibly engaging or to deflect attention from the fact that these posters only want to do the barest minimum of their job.

It kind of reminds me of guys who stand around on the sidelines at weddings, looking uncomfortable while everyone is having a blast on the dance floor... yeah, I can see that you are having a blast.

I will comment on this...

I personally smile if the band is killing it, if one of the guys plays something that MADE me smile, if the onstage banter
between me and one of the guys onstage tickled me... If someone in the audience did something that made me laugh, OR smile.
I DON'T just start smiling because I'm stood in front of an audience. If I saw someone just smiling at a show from beginning to end, I wouldn't think it was showmanship, I'd be thinking ... "Hmm, possible mental illness more than likely, or he's getting a LOT of money!" (Maybe even the recipient, or soon to be recipient, of a sexual favor )

If you're on the stage a lot, or know you DESERVE to be onstage, then smiling isn't always a given... and I don't do weddings or similar gigs. I act onstage the same as offstage. Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry... Especially if the drummer is bad...

Hmm... I once did a recording session and finished the song in 15 minutes. I think I got between $5000.00 and $7000.00 for that session. THAT MADE ME ******g SMILE, BIG TIME!!!

 

[bolophonic]

Yeah, because telling a complete stranger they should smile more isn't rude at all and totally conducive to having a good time.

I'm definitely not saying that the audience member in the OP was correct to be telling anyone what to do.

 

[Doner Designs]

Bass players smile?

 

[petrus61]

Here is a bass player playing bass:

Here is the same player not playing bass:

Kind of makes you wonder...

 

[bolophonic]

I will comment on this...

I personally smile if the band is killing it, if one of the guys plays something that MADE me smile, if the onstage banter
between me and one of the guys onstage tickled me... If someone in the audience did something that made me laugh, OR smile.
I DON'T just start smiling because I'm stood in front of an audience. If I saw someone just smiling at a show from beginning to end, I wouldn't think it was showmanship, I'd be thinking ... "Hmm, possible mental illness more than likely, or he's getting a LOT of money!" (Maybe even the recipient, or soon to be recipient, of a sexual favor )

If you're on the stage a lot, or know you DESERVE to be onstage, then smiling isn't always a given... and I don't do weddings or similar gigs. I act onstage the same as offstage. Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry... Especially if the drummer is bad...

Completely agreed on all counts. I would never suggest that everyone MUST be smiling, but I would say that appearing miserable enough for someone to MENTION it suggests that there are some aspects of showmanship that are not fully realized in the OP's performance.