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P&W stage presence??

Chris F

Chris F

May 8, 2022
48
86
Birmingham, AL
#1
I’m somewhat newer to playing in a worship band at church. I’m trying to find the right stage presence during sets. I don’t want to jump around and be a distraction, but I also don’t want to stare off blankly onto the distance.
Any input?
 
#4
S-Bigbottom said:
Just smile and play.
Click to expand...
Yep.

If you over-do it, someone will let you know... :whistle:

cross-drummer-bash.gif


:D
 
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#8
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#10
This is actually a very interesting question. I’ll tell you what won’t fly: your typical rock ‘n’ roll and metal antics. Most of those are designed to say “hey look at me. I am a rock ‘n’ roll God.“ Since pride is considered a sin, that kind of drawing attention to oneself would not be tolerated in most religions.

it’s going to be real hard to give you real advice though, because it will come off like “just act like this, and no one will suspect a thing”. But I will say this: most people involved in praise and worship music do so on a spiritual level, and it tends to show during their performances, as they acknowledge, not themselves for their own glory, but their deity.

TLDR: It’s OK to look like you enjoy it on a spiritual level, but don’t visually call attention to yourself.
 
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#11
two fingers said:
This.
But seriously, it's not about you. Play well. Fade into the background visually unless you are the lead singer. The congregation doesn't need sweet bass licks and dance moves.
Click to expand...

This definitely. I've been playing bass at our church for well over a decade now. Our music tends to be a little more upbeat and contemporary than some, and the band leader writes so we sometimes do some of his original songs too. The goal is to play really well but don't overplay, just service the song, make it the best you can, and definitely no dance moves! :laugh: We just added a new bass player to our rotation and he's a great player but has a tendency to break into all sorts of bent knee movements that are pretty silly. I think he's just having fun, but honestly it's a bit distracting and if I ever have an opportunity to speak with him about it I'd want to tactfully suggest he keeps his knees over his feet and his feet no further than shoulder width apart! :hyper:
 
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#12
I do church gigs every weekend. The stages I’m on are deep enough that I don’t get much light back there. The singers up front do. They get the bulk of the audience interaction, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute your part there as well.

It’s OK to get into what you do and move - whatever comes naturally. You’re not there to show off, but eye contact with the audience is always a plus - it’s supposed to be a group thing, and eye contact helps connect the people on and off stage.

Memorization and being able to play without looking at your hands much helps here - staring at music or your fingers breaks that connection.
 
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#16
This is always a weird topic for me. I studied classical organ so I played a lot of "gigs" in every flavor of mainline church. To me the way I play bass and the very style of music itself are counter to what I think goes in church. I know that's old fashioned and millions disagree with me and hundreds of TB'ers make an income at church. To me rock music is the devil's music, and I like it that way. It's selfish, gaudy, and rebellious by design. I have played bass at a church a few times and felt really uncomfortable. My vote is to play well and be invisible in that setting.
 
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