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I don't know what to do on stage.

#2
if there's a pretty defined hit in a song, you can always kinda dip your knees and really let your body accentuate the hit also
It all depends on what you're doing with the music- If you're in a jazz combo you might not need as much moves as you could let out if you were in a big funky group
 
#10
depending on the gig - smile! ...or at least look as though you are enjoying yourself, rather than looking as though you'd rather be somewhere else. As bass players I rekon we can get away with 'minimal movement' a lot easier than other musicians can...
 
#11
chanson said:
Do whatever is natural to you. Don't be fake
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Good advice.

If you want to physically groove, rock, or swing to what you're playing, great, learn some moves that accentuate what you feel on the instrument. It sounds corny, but play in front of a mirror; it will help you get comfortable with what you're doing.

Otherwise, it doesn’t pay to pose as something you’re not, but I bet you already know this.
 
#13
bwest9 said:
Good advice.

If you want to physically groove, rock, or swing to what you're playing, great, learn some moves that accentuate what you feel on the instrument. It sounds corny, but play in front of a mirror; it will help you get comfortable with what you're doing.

Otherwise, it doesn’t pay to pose as something you’re not, but I bet you already know this.
Click to expand...

+1 This may sound more corny, but watch how other people move, try it out, and see what you like. I used to have statue syndrom, but once I stopped worrying about it I found that it comes naturally. If nothing works though, hide behind your rig :P
 
#15
Ksandvik has it right - ALWAYS keep smiling. And look at videos of other bands to see what looks good to you. Our band is working on the same issues, currently. We have a big sign out by the monitors - SMILE! We were looking way too serious.
 
#16
Just stand there and bob, worked for John Entwistle.

Glad you feel confident in your playing skills, because that's what matters most. If you can lay it down on the fret board, people tend to not care if you can't lay it down on the dance floor.

But if you feel like moving around more, here's what worked for me:

Get your parts down. I was so focused on playing my parts right I forgot to move! Our song structure was pretty loose and often times we'd just listen in for cues to transition and sometimes I was straight up improvising. Not only did I have to constantly be mentally aware of what I played, I was scared as hell of messing up, which only added to my stage nerves. Once I got those lines rock solid just playing them on stage felt weird and I was much more motivated to move.

Rehearsal time is for more than just your fingers. When I rehearse with my band, though our practice space is pretty confined, I try to do certain moves with my bass or legs at specific parts in songs so on stage they'll come a bit more naturally. Sometimes you don't even really have to "dance" to look like you're into it. According to my guitarist I do a very bada$$ Justin Chancellor-esque headbanging during some of our songs.

Just feel it! Everyone above me to said it should feel natural is absolutely right. If standing and bobbing around works for you, that's fine. Lots of people can make that look totally rockin', you very well may be one of them!

Hope this helps you out, good luck man.

- Derek
 

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