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Seeking advice on stage presence
- Thread starter CrankenStein
- Start date
A friends girlfriend at the time kept shouting questions in my ear during a concert and making fun of the opening act. I supposed she asked these things cause I was the musician of the group.
Why do they bob their heads around like that? Are they supposed to be parrots?
Why do musicians think they have to dance? I never see the NY philharmonic get up and move.
Oh wow look at the guitarists face! Either he is crapping his pants right now or he thinks he's acting. Give him an Oscar!
(right after a drumstick twirl) I bet he could really work a baton in high school marching band.... and a dick.
...She had a lot more that I've forgotten. At the time her comments kinda bothered me as I was very much into the mentality of musicians needing to have "presence". I thought she was a non-musician who just didn't "get-it".
Nowadays I totally agree with her. A person should play on stage the same way they practice at home alone when no-one is watching unless they are trying to incorporate theatrics into the act. Some people naturally move and that's cool, but if you think it's necessary to please the audience it isn't. A lot of people think it's a joke.
Why do they bob their heads around like that? Are they supposed to be parrots?
Why do musicians think they have to dance? I never see the NY philharmonic get up and move.
Oh wow look at the guitarists face! Either he is crapping his pants right now or he thinks he's acting. Give him an Oscar!
(right after a drumstick twirl) I bet he could really work a baton in high school marching band.... and a dick.
...She had a lot more that I've forgotten. At the time her comments kinda bothered me as I was very much into the mentality of musicians needing to have "presence". I thought she was a non-musician who just didn't "get-it".
Nowadays I totally agree with her. A person should play on stage the same way they practice at home alone when no-one is watching unless they are trying to incorporate theatrics into the act. Some people naturally move and that's cool, but if you think it's necessary to please the audience it isn't. A lot of people think it's a joke.
Right here^ I have seen this in many bands (mostly covers) and when I do i dont care how good they are I'm walkin out. There is nothing worse than a cheezy band hamming it up. Act yourself and feel the music. I dont move around allot but some part of me is always Bobbing and swaying to the music like a weird manic monkey. Its complety natural and I dont even know I'm doing it.
I have to move around, even during Jams/Rehersal.. I get yelled at sometime, I don't play as we'll if im jumping around or headbanging my hair in the guitarist face (He HATES It) but I refuse.. I never knew why Manayard did his wierd dance until I tried to sing stinkfist, I do a good maynard impression (Minus the voice 
) because its the only way to possibly stay on time for that song... I just feel the music out, it dosent make me wanna run around like Angus Young, but unless you superglue my feet to the floor, chances are im going to invade your personal space during a show
) because its the only way to possibly stay on time for that song... I just feel the music out, it dosent make me wanna run around like Angus Young, but unless you superglue my feet to the floor, chances are im going to invade your personal space during a show 
+1. Also -
"Smile" doesn't mean smile falsely like a cheerleader. Just look like you are enjoying what you are doing. It could be an "oh, yeah, this groove right here kicks ass" smirk.
While I agree that silly poses and contrived movements aren't where it's at, I've also learned that whatever it is that I decide to do, it's necessary to do it to the point that it feels a little overdone in order for an audience to get it. Outside of music, I'm a professional public speaker, and this rule holds true in that line of work too.
Tom Jackson is a leader in stage presence training. This is his website. Be aware that he is very good at identifying the problems to you for free and then charging you to solve them, so you can't get any real info from him without buying a DVD. But, what he says sounds right to me.
Some good advice on here. Just remember presence does not mean you have to charge around the stage like you're on some nasty acid/speed cocktail. Nor does it mean staying fixed rooted to the spot if that's not what's comfortable for you. Realise that headbanging looks dumb even with a metal outfit, and with a ska band it will look even worse. Looking like you're relaxed, confident and having fun is the key.
Sometimes, just stepping forward a little (so you're level with the front guy) is all you need to do. Look like you're part of the band by showing that you're aware of your bandmates, and engage with the crowd - a genuine smile at someone can work wonders in this regard. Relax, have fun, enjoy the gig.
Sometimes, just stepping forward a little (so you're level with the front guy) is all you need to do. Look like you're part of the band by showing that you're aware of your bandmates, and engage with the crowd - a genuine smile at someone can work wonders in this regard. Relax, have fun, enjoy the gig.
Please, don't wear shorts. Dress nicely! I always make sure the best jeans are ready for the best gigs, along with my favorite shirts. I am a huge fan of Goodwill and Marshalls.
It's difficult to be objective about our own performance. That's
why actors, for example, need directors who will constructively
criticize and make helpful suggestions. It wouldn't hurt to find
someone whose judgement you trust and ideally is familiar
with band perfomance. Ask for his or her opinion on the effect
of what you do on stage. Sometimes it really helps not
to be yourself!
why actors, for example, need directors who will constructively
criticize and make helpful suggestions. It wouldn't hurt to find
someone whose judgement you trust and ideally is familiar
with band perfomance. Ask for his or her opinion on the effect
of what you do on stage. Sometimes it really helps not
to be yourself!
I have to move around, even during Jams/Rehersal.. I get yelled at sometime, I don't play as we'll if im jumping around or headbanging my hair in the guitarist face (He HATES It) but I refuse.. I never knew why Manayard did his wierd dance until I tried to sing stinkfist, I do a good maynard impression (Minus the voice
I don't know how anyone does this. What kind of music are you playing?
This is an I feel old moment, because you are talking about a musician named Maynard, and I'm sure that you don't mean the Maynard I'm thinking of.I have to move around, even during Jams/Rehersal.. I get yelled at sometime, I don't play as we'll if im jumping around or headbanging my hair in the guitarist face (He HATES It) but I refuse.. I never knew why Manayard did his wierd dance until I tried to sing stinkfist, I do a good maynard impression (Minus the voice
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...who, for the record, had great stage presence.
I envy all of you who have space to run & jump around. 95% of the gigs I play I barely have enough room to stand. (the downside to playing in a larger band). When the occasion arises with a large enough stage I have no idea what to do since I'm used to being fairly locked into a single spot.
one time I had to play with my bass neck way up high (kind of like fieldy) because there was no room. sigh. good crowd, suck gig.
one time I had to play with my bass neck way up high (kind of like fieldy) because there was no room. sigh. good crowd, suck gig.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Agreed, seems like a lot of people here asumed stage presence meant jumping around , dancing whatever.Stage precence means whatever. Also there has to be some degree consistancy.Your stage presence should enhance the rest of the band especially if you have a front person, who should be carrying most of the weight.
Whatever genre, I still say you have to be good, actually better than good. If your not, work on getting good before you start thinking about stage presence.
I struggle with stage prensence, at 58 in a Pop Rock band I have to be careful. What might have worked at 20, 30, 40 or 50 might not work anymore.
A mixture, our Original stuff is kind of a Prog Rock/punk mix. Heavy Overdriven Guitar, Tom heavy drum's, fast grooving basslines for the most part.
When we play covers, it's alot of 90's Alternative, Pumpkins, Bush, some Tool, some System of a Down, some Punk.. Actually I think Aerials is one of the best cover song's we play.
But it fit's the music.. I act alot differently playing Machinhead (Bush) than I do when we play Re-Education (Rise against)
I think part of it is, I didn't grow up a musician, I was addicted to music, their was a difference
i went to every single show I could afford and bounced around at every one of them.. So when I started playing, and I could finally hold my own, and felt that groove in the song start... I had to bounce around.Not sure if any of that made any sense, but, I don't try to make sense of it. I don't try to act any other way than what "feels" right..
First off you have to have confidence in your playing. Then you can be however you want on stage because, IMO, the first priority is to be a musician and serve the music.
You have to not give a **** what anyone thinks of your presence. Then you can be natural and your confidence will speak for itself.
If the band thinks you don't move enough? Well, I guess you're not right for the band. Simple as that. Find another band for whom that isn't the priority....
You have to not give a **** what anyone thinks of your presence. Then you can be natural and your confidence will speak for itself.
If the band thinks you don't move enough? Well, I guess you're not right for the band. Simple as that. Find another band for whom that isn't the priority....
Depends on the gig. For a singer/songwriter sideman gig, I'm standing off to the side and back and doing my best impression of a statue. For a gig with a rock band I'm moving. It's just more fun. How much depends on how many people on the stage and what they're doing.
I once worked with a pretty big name drummer/producer who insisted that I move when recording in the studio like I did when gigging. He said I grooved more.
I once worked with a pretty big name drummer/producer who insisted that I move when recording in the studio like I did when gigging. He said I grooved more.
