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sitting while playing

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sonicnuance

sonicnuance

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Aug 30, 2003
1,479
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California, USA
www.sonicnuance.com
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Engineer & Owner, Sonic Nuance Electronics
#1
I find most musician's in rock bands a bit boring to watch on stage (myself included) and am wondering about sitting down while playing. It should be about the music, but playing live there is the stage presence issue...

If I get into the music I like moving around but I've seen some youtube videos of guys sittings and really getting down. I've mellowed with age (musically and physically) so I'm not jumping like an idiot as much and my back could use a break.

Of course, sitting while playing is a tradition in classical music. Rock and country seem to have gotten into the "watch me as I shake it" syndrome :) :eek::bassist::hyper:

I guess I'm debating this and wanna hear some opinions.


Thanks and Happy 2008
 
#2
Depends heavily on the genre. I sit while playing usually, but I'm also usually doing show gigs that involve an orchestra reading. When I'm working in a bar band playing rock/pop type stuff, sitting down just seems a bit odd for a bassist. Granted, most folks wouldn't care anyway but it does lend itself to the old fogey perception, fair or not.

Anthony Jackson seems to be able to get away with it, but then again he's Anthony Jackson fer chrissake. I've done many jazz gigs seated too, but again in that genre it seems less "weird" and suits the style more I think. Tough to pull off that kinda look in any kind of dance/groove oriented music.
 
#3
mozarwasagenius said:
I find most musician's in rock bands a bit boring to watch on stage (myself included) and am wondering about sitting down while playing. It should be about the music, but playing live there is the stage presence issue...

If I get into the music I like moving around but I've seen some youtube videos of guys sittings and really getting down. I've mellowed with age (musically and physically) so I'm not jumping like an idiot as much and my back could use a break.

Of course, sitting while playing is a tradition in classical music. Rock and country seem to have gotten into the "watch me as I shake it" syndrome :) :eek::bassist::hyper:

I guess I'm debating this and wanna hear some opinions.


Thanks and Happy 2008
Click to expand...

I sit when I play. I think it works well for my situation. I'm in a funky jazz trio. The drummer is sitting. The keyboard/organ player is sitting. So, I sit too. I have a really nice drum throne that I use.

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I also have the back rest. Very comfy.

Joe
 
#6
deek said:
Then why not just record a "live cd" at your next gig and play it at every show going forward?
Click to expand...

Because that idea doesn't work when applied to pianists, drummers, steel guitarists, classical guitarists, string players, orchestras....etc

I agree it's "performance" art, but to me making the music live right in front of me at that moment is a performance. Any fool can jump around. If I want to see dancing, I'll go see dancers who dance as their art. If I go see musicians it's to hear music. If I was blind, I would still go to live music shows.

To each his/her own of course.
 
#7
Sit down if you feel it better (the music) on the other hand, stand up when you are feeling it as well. The Bassist is need not conform to any set stage presence criteria. Unless your band is choreographed or something. I've generally found that bassists who are playing in a sitting position are grooving hard and the audience is grooving as well. I'd be bummed to see a dude playing bass, sitting down and not holding it down right.
 
#8
And if you're blind would you still go and why? Do the blind enjoy it less?

deek said:
Exactly!

People come to see AND listen. People want to see you play, hear the live sound, and see how the music make the performer feel. The audience feeds off the performance of the musician and it enhances the overall performance for them. They feel connected to you.

I'm not saying that you should purposely jump around if your music doesn't move you. That would be contrived.

What I am saying is that people get off on the whole package. If you play subdued music, you & your audience will probably sit and be quiet usually to get every nuance (remember Bob Dylan? Whole stadiums filled with people sitting quietly for the whole show while he also sat & played).

And if you play louder more emotional music, your audience will want to move. The performer probably will too.
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#13
deek said:
Do you think blind people enjoy photographs as much as sighted people because they like how they feel?
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Probably as much as deaf people enjoy the CDs of the blind. Do photos make a sound?


deek said:
the fact of the matter is that they simply are not getting the whole picture.
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There seems to be a lot of that.
 
#14
seanm said:
.....The only way you get away with sitting is if you look too feeble to be able to stand through a gig.
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AMEN! If people are going to make an effort to come out and see you play, stand up and show them what you got.
Jumping around like an idiot is for the most part extreme and at the opposite end of the spectrum but just sitting there is boring and just kind of lazy/disrespectful.
There is probably some exemption for a laid back jazz gig or an unplugged set.
 
#16
nortonrider said:
AMEN! If people are going to make an effort to come out and see you play, stand up and show them what you got.
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I actually have no problem with that sentiment. Until I see kids putting more energy into dancing around and posing while screwing the pooch because they can't play their parts right. Worry about the music first; all other considerations second is what I'm saying.

Sure, "show them what you got" as long as the first part of that is being a good musician.
 
#17
Try reading again. When did I "switch"? What was my original statement? I don't really care if you respect my opinion or not, but do try to have your facts straight. Just because I took issue with something you said doesn't constitute any sort of reversal. Again, try reading more carefully and don't assume so much.


deek said:
Yeah, but - by your standards isn't that pointless and maybe even prejudiced?

Why "show them what you got" if blind people can't see it?

Why did you decide to change your stance now?

I would have respected your opinion more if you'd stuck with it 100%.

And hey, what about deaf people? Maybe you should move around a bit for them?!? I mean, they can't HEAR the music but I bet they'd enjoy the feel of the bass and getting to see some dancing.

D.
Click to expand...
 
#19
deek said:
Well, at first you were all - what's the point of moving around - blind people will enjoy it just as much, why shouldn't everyone?

And now you're like - yeah, show em what ya got if you know the music better than the moving around part.
Click to expand...

Try reading this:
"Depends heavily on the genre. I sit while playing usually, but I'm also usually doing show gigs that involve an orchestra reading. When I'm working in a bar band playing rock/pop type stuff, sitting down just seems a bit odd for a bassist. Granted, most folks wouldn't care anyway but it does lend itself to the old fogey perception, fair or not.

Anthony Jackson seems to be able to get away with it, but then again he's Anthony Jackson fer chrissake. I've done many jazz gigs seated too, but again in that genre it seems less "weird" and suits the style more I think. Tough to pull off that kinda look in any kind of dance/groove oriented music." My ORIGINAL post

And explain to me again how at first I was all "what's the point of moving around - blind people will enjoy it just as much"? You're putting your reading comprehension skills into serious question.
 
#20
I play for me.

sometimes the people I want to play with want to make some money so we must play for other people

reasons for live shows are live improvisations. Obviously I don't go to many shows anymore as this is for the most part a lost art. This only applies to popular music. I very much enjoy going to blues clubs and check out Jazz often.
 
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