My mouth does funny things

[ijump206]

If you really want to put a stop to this, practice your bass in front of a mirror. It's one thing to practice our playing, but quite another to practice our "performing". I have been working for a long time on having a relaxed smile on my face as my neutral expression while playing. It is a lot of work at first. As some folks stated above, make sure to learn your part so well that you are relaxed while playing, which should free up energy to focus on your expressions.

On the other hand, Bass Face is awesome, so feel free to go the other way and lean into it. I used to play with a guitarist that looked like he was gnawing on a tree branch while playing solos. It worked for him!

 

[Rgmxx]

Say no to drugs, at least leave them at home when you have a concert.
No need to thank me.

 

[definenredefine]

Mike Dimkich (guitarist, currently of Bad Religion) chews gum while playing. He does so very conspicuously - think Mr Ed.

On the other hand, Adam Pfahler (drummer of Jawbreaker) also chews gum while playing, and it's not really noticeable until he blows a bubble.

So...things to consider, I suppose.

 

[mambo4]

I definitely try to express the music with my face and body.
My wife pointed out that when I get into playing, I make a weird click noise in the back of my throat on 2 & 4

 

[Happy Face]

My band told me that when Im concentrating on a difficult part of a song I do funny things with my mouth, so I took a vid and I look so ridicules. Does this happen to you and how do I stop the funny face? And no Im not showing you the video.

928-778-2655

 

[wompwomp]

unblinking stony stare for the win! jk.

for real I love it when I'm playing music and i realize that I've left my body

 

[Happy Face]

Funny, I started to notice that in a video from 2022. A lot of the time I'm silently singing the melody I think? Now i try to be more aware of it as well actually sing more.

Sorry, not more helpful.

 

[Topkat13]

Do you mouth about the songs y’all play?

 

[Paul New]

I do it and don’t care.

 

[Stewie]

Turn around. They won’t be able to see your face

 

[Benji bassman]

I do it when I'm trying to do anything complicated too. I'm pro bass face though! If it's just certain parts of the song though, just turn around and look at your drummer like you're trying to lock in. It might scare the drummer though, so you might want to warn them.

 

[DrBnz]

Oh jez...... I know it happens, but I try to ignore it. My mouth does some sort of uncontrolled thing thats best described as a fish out of water gasping for air.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Good enough for Robin Trower, good enough for me!

BBB

 

[CryingBass]

Pat Metheney has been making stacks of cash for 40 years doing this

 

[porkynuggets]

Practice singing while playing to gain some independence of the two "voice" muscle sets

 

[Tj smith]

Bass face. It’s totally normal.

 

[Saetia]

I flutter my tongue and move my mouth with the rhythm. Looks goofy.

 

[wompwomp]

Turn around. They won’t be able to see your face

sure but then they'll see your ass doing funny things.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Lean into it.

This

I started over-exaggerating it. At some point it starts coming off as "on-stage energy".

Now I do it with reckless abandon

 

[Michedelic]

TWSS