Seeking advice on stage presence

[SanDiegoHarry]

No matter what, smile and laugh. Your face is more important than your legs when you're playing.

Check out some live Reel Big Fish videos - they know how to have a good time even though most of them don't get to move around the stage too much.

99% of the time, I agree. However, some genres appear to require you to look hostile/mad/miserable/stoned... So it depends on the band/gig.

But usually, smiling and engaging the viewers is good. I have to force myself to remember to do that (I'm very metal, you see...)

Re-read the OP - Ska band, you gotta be *fun*. Smile, move around, have fun. Ska = Fun, not angst.

 

[Rockmusician]

There really isn't an easy answer to this other than be yourself. It will be very obvious if you try to fake it.

 

[MisterFabulous]

I never saw me playing bass until our 1st open mic when it was video'd. I've looked at that video again and again to see what I was doing relative to what I was playing.

When you join this gig it may be too late for that, so look at past videos and video yourself practicing and even at full band rehearsal. Ask people you know & trust if you are looking foolish up there.

 

[dvh]

Just remember Entwhistle. Presence with his confidence and memorable lines - not running and jumping around. If it doesn't come naturally don't force it. Let the naturally jumpy band members look after it....

 

[Vanceman]

Plus, you have to able to walk and chew gum at the same time. For the life of me, I can't dance around and play at the same time, my right hand just stops playing.

Last night I was practicing, and was using a pick on every song, just for kicks. I found myself dancing around without stopping playing. weird!

 

[Nev375]

Fact, being yourself does not cut it for everyone.Some of us have to work at stage presence.

Fact: The audience is going to see whatever they are wanting to see. If you are just standing up there looking down and playing and someone likes you they might compare you to Entwistle. If they don't like you they might call you a boring lump.

 

[s4001]

Make eye contact to someone other than the neck of your bass.

 

[pklima]

Make eye contact to someone other than the neck of your bass.

Yeah, this is a big part. Make it look like you're interested in other people and notice their existence - both your bandmates and the audience.

Plus, you have to able to walk and chew gum at the same time. For the life of me, I can't dance around and play at the same time, my right hand just stops playing.

Practice that, too. That's what makes it look smooth and natural, and also keeps you from missing notes. You can't just say "OK, I'm gonna jump around when I'm on stage", you gotta do it in practice too.

Fact: The audience is going to see whatever they are wanting to see. If you are just standing up there looking down and playing and someone likes you they might compare you to Entwistle.

A ska audience isn't going to compare you to Entwistle.

 

[Downunderwonder]

ONE time both my feet left the ground involuntarily. It was at a rehearsal/jam. If I tried to recreate that I would look like a dork.

Generally, the better I know my bits the more I move naturally. Still hoping for another both feet off the ground moment.

 

[knappymer]

All good points. If it's a groove you're going for stick to moving with the 2 and the 4 that way the audience will see your timing and may be more inclined to groove along.

 

[James Judson]

Smile!!!!!! Now thats a good start. Wear something different.

I like to do stuff behind the singers back. Crowd responds, singer looks at me, I shrug, crowd responds. Just have fun.

Have someone make a video and while you watch it ask if that is what you want your fans to see.

 

[Marko 1]

I agree with practicing the songs standing up like you’re on stage. I wouldn’t do that, and when I tried to move/grove on stage, I would mess up, so I started standing up and grooving while practicing, and it helped tremendously

Lead singer and I are toying with some moves together for when he’s not singing and needs a bit more to do.

 

[EduardoJoel]

Please don't wear sunglasses at night.

 

[Marko 1]

Please don't wear sunglasses at night.

I did that for a short while, and I thought it looked kinda cool with the fedora hat.

I haven’t done it for a while now.

Lead singer tried it for a while, too, but not being able to have eye contact with the people wasn’t cool, so he dropped it.

 

[CrankenStein]

Please don't wear sunglasses at night.

Come on man its a ska band, its all about the suits fedoras and raybans haha.

 

[MNAirHead]

the biggies.

Feet wider than your shoulders.

Sing

Smile

Eye contact

Ignore all mistakes

Physically grove to the pulse.

 

[skwee]

Know who you are. Be that to the back of the house.

 

[KalTM]

I would suggest trying not to play with your back to the audience. I know a lot of times when people get nervous onstage, especially during a complicated part of a song, they might turn their back to the crowd. I always found that to be annoying to watch

 

[mboogiemanusa]

Just be yourself. NOTHING looks worse than jumping and running around like a moron when the audience can tell you're just doing it for "effect".

+1 Unless your in a Poison tribute ban, no need to run around like a knucklehead. Nothing worse then watching a bunch of phoney poses. Stage presence has more to do with a natural confidence in your ability to present the music. Do what comes natural and it will probably work much better then you think. Now I do believe in stage clothes and lighting effects. A good look can do wonders for improving your stage presence.

 

[Billnc]

I would suggest trying not to play with your back to the audience. I know a lot of times when people get nervous onstage, especially during a complicated part of a song, they might turn their back to the crowd. I always found that to be annoying to watch

This is a big one.