Stage presence + metal + shy guy = :-( ???

[runmikeyrun]

Does a woman have to scream, yell, and buck like a wild horse during sex? No. Does it make for a better experience? Sure does!

The band has to have some sort of energy coming off the stage. It shows you are into your music and that energy does get conveyed to the crowd and helps them get into it. If not you, the rest of the band has to pick up the slack. I'm not saying it has to be 100% of the time, but at least one person has to be showing some sort of energy. It's a part of seeing a metal band. It's rare that a metal band can have music so overwhelming that some sort of movement or emotion is not required. It's been said that Led Zeppelin used the name Four Sticks after having their stage presence described as "four sticks in the mud" in a review. Led Zeppelin is covered, your band is not

Our old guitarist stood like a stone statue for many years. We used to joke about it- all the live pictures he looked exactly the same. He was concentrating on his playing, which is definitely the priority. But after a while he was able to incorporate some facial expressions and movement. I on the other hand was the spaz, partly compensating for it but mostly because I was really getting into the show. Bass is (usually) less technical than guitar, surely you can find some rhythm parts with open notes or something that you can have some sort of movement. Practice by yourself while playing at the jamspot to work out the kinks and get over the awkward feelings and then unleash them once you've got em down.

 

[Colonel_Claypoo]

thanks everyone.

i think i'll definately take the practice your 'show' aspect into account the next time we rehearse.

but there's also the experience factor, right?
the more you play, the more confodent you'll feel and the better you will perform your music and your stage performance.

 

[Sundogue]

Here's the funny thing about shyness/stage-fright...

It's really the exact opposite. You're not shy but actually full of yourself. I don't mean it in a bad way, but really what do you think of when someone feels "everyone is looking at me"?

The best way to get over it is to realize that everyone isn't looking at you, you only think they are. Why?

It's funny because the most animated, crazy, wild people I know onstage are the complete opposite offstage. The reason being is that they don't think anyone is paying attention to them but deep down they want some attention, and so they do what makes people watch them. It is a pretty common thing.

The most effective approach to this is to remember no one cares about you as an individual. They are not watching you, they are watching the whole band. Get deep into the music...let it get down to your soul. Meditate beforehand if you have to. Do whatever it takes so that when you walk up on that stage, everything you do is about the music (not you)...all you can feel and react to is the music. In other words...get over yourself and get into the rhythm of it. Pay attention to the pulse that you and the drummer create together, and your body will naturally move with it.

[Dr. Phil voice on] "It ain't about you!" [Dr. Phil voice off]

 

[JackANSI]

In playing out more frequently at bars, I've noticed more and more average people want (by far): Entertainment.

Might be completely different in your area/venues.

I always look at it from a host/guest point of view. Its not your property, but you are the "host". You are hosting a good time. You want your guests to be part of it right? Invite them into your little circle of fun (the band) and make sure they have a good time. If that takes stepping out of your shell a bit, then try it.

You only get to use words in lyrics or when you're not playing. So if you want to communicate your desire for the crowd to have a good time you mostly have your presence on stage to do that.

Give the crowd the entertainment they want, they are not usually a bunch of musicians that are hanging on every note looking for mistakes. If they do end up being a bunch of musicians, rest assured, they have made mistakes on stage too.

Its been a huge adjustment for me; going from perfectionist to entertainer. But the rewards are much better on the entertainment side. You get much higher paying gigs since you can keep a crowd jumping from 9pm to 2am.

 

[Colonel_Claypoo]

thanks to all posters for the good information and hints.
there's quite a lot i can learn from.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I'm not sure if anyone has said this, but maybe just practice more. Lots more! Just pretend you're holding a gun or a sword. Anything but an instrument.

If you get more comfortable playing your parts without looking down at the fret board, then you'll have more motion with your upper-body - and in this case, you don't even need to jump around.

IMO if you can look around at the crowd, make some eye contact, and show people you're having a good time, you won't need to throw your bass around your shoulders and do gimmicky spin kicks like Fall Out Boy.

I like to do the "neck-dive" move once in a while though. That's where you throw your bass neck forward towards the floor, kick your back leg out and then, in another motion, bring it back up to your chest and point the headstock towards the ceiling. The more akward you can look doing this, the better.

Not too much though, like maybe once in a song during a nice cymbal crash or something.

 

[Lefty Geek]

Metal was never about running and jumping on stage, that's the way emo fgts and other new-wave crap goes around.

Look at bands like Death. Your music is judged by how good it sounds, not by how ******** you look on stage.

In that video, Chuck does move around and does the whole guitar god solos up in front.

I think it would be too distracting if all the members of the band were going crazy, but I think a little movement every now and then is good. I always tell my singer to use me as a prop if he wants to.

I occasionally record shows that I attend. Sometimes when I listen to the recording at home, I hear errors that the band made: wrong key, bad timing. All things I didn't catch when I saw them.

 

[Demon_Hunter]

After reading this I had a flashback to an old Dokken video where they are goofing around on a tour bus and George Lynch was "teaching"
"You'll learn windmills, spins, deep knee bends and heavy-metal faces"

Wow...that was like 20 years ago
I sure hope someone else remembers this too

 

[sickest beast]

it's all about the power-stance

*grabs bass and assumes power stance*

 

[sickest beast]

but seriously... just feel the music man. that's it.

everyone has a different way of feeling the music.

there is no rule that says you have to jump around like a dink. although i find it alot easier to throw myself around stage if others are doing it too.

 

[idler]

I'm kind of the same - I can't do the 'spin hair round like a propeller' thing while I'm playing. I let the singer do that, and sine he has hair down to his arse, he's much better at that than me! I try to move around as much as I can though - use whatever area on stage I've been given, different stances, try to interract with the other band members. Just keep moving to the music and look like I'm enjoying myself.

Something I do often is the 'stalk around like a lion' thing - when all the rest of the band are head down and there's a BIG RIFF going on, I'll be stood up straight, prowling the stage, grinning fiercely and making eye contact with people in the crowd. Seems to go down well.

 

[Shawman]

all about the power stance!

but even then, i can barely even face an audience! last week i was doing a gig and could see the bar over the top of the audience, when i was looking forward, i just picked a beer tap to look at. but hardly even did that, kinda stood sideways on and even backwards for some of the time

i hate being shy

and before it gets mentioned, this was even AFTER a few pints

 

[Qvist]

Here is my .02.

A promoter here in Winnipeg sent up a show for us to perform in front of the owner of a record label who he knew, and was in town with another band that he was friends with. One of our guitar players roots himself to the stage and just plays. He is a really good guitar player but does not move at all. I headbang, move around, never jumped up or anything like that, since I am 6 foot 6 and would hit my head on the lights, and so does our other guitar player. We played an amazing set, no noticable screw ups.

The guy came up to us after and said I want to talk to you guys (we didn't even know he was there). So we went in to the club resturant to talk. He began by telling us that he really liked our style. our original sound, and thought we had some amazing songs.

BUT our guitar player needed to start to put on a show (headbang, move around, get the crowed into it), he also told us that our drummer needed to use triggers (he plays really light and he is hard to here even mic'ed). He also stated that he not only needs to be able to sell the music, he also has to sell the live show. We talked alittle more, he asked us to send him a promo pack, and that was it. In the next couple of weeks we put together a promo pack and sent it over to him.

That was 4 years ago, never heard from him again.

A good stage show goes along way. People come out to see a show. If you are worried about making mistakes, don't be, you can hid them, just don't stop playing. If people wanted to here you play perfect they would stay home a just listen to the CD.

I've seen some great bands play and not move around, and have left half way through there set, because I was bored.

Let the music move you don't force it.

+1, people come to see a SHOW!

 

[mikey86]

i was in a similar situation, im not shy im just not very outgoing person and was constantly getting digs from friends and relatives about moving more and how i didnt move which made me more concious about myself, i figured as long as you look like your enjoying yourself that will come across. just dont be concentrating so hard your looking like your on your own

plus yes alot of it will come with experience, when you have the songs down pat you stop worrying about what your playing so much anyway and just go along with things. plus i found my metal band alot better about pulling me along with the music than my old indieish band

 

[CaptainDaniels]

I've had the same problem when being on stage. Not that it's stage fright or anything but I've felt like I just need to let myself go and just rock out, but can't. I recommend three shots of JD prior to stage time. Works wonders for me.

 

[Stumbo]

..... but the rock audience loves it. ....don't be a statue either. Walk up to the singer every now and then and play your bass with attitude.

You're an entertainer...so maybe think about entertaining. Practice your moves at home so you get the playing down at the same time. Perform at the gigs. Your fans will enjoy you in the "show".

It's show time!

 

[PICK]

Hair helps. Makes it appear you are moving alot more then you actually. For me, if the music is technical, as alot of the heavier metal bands are becoming, then its forgiveable to basically stand there.
I, personally, when seeing a band i like, feel alot more satisfied with a good musical performance then i do going to a show and seeing people run around for an hour and making constant mistakes.
I must say though, actually being a musician, i can't really speak from a non muso's POV on what i wanna see live. If someone is stationary and playing very, very well, then i don't really care.
Personally on stage i'm pretty static and i don't play very, very well. Thankfully i don't have to watch myself play. I am like the OP though, i'm pretty quiet, not "Metal" by nature.

Also, if the crowd is into it, i tend to lose my inhabitions a bit. I can guarantee i would feel like an idiot bouncing around while the crowd stand there with their arms folded.

 

[makanudo]

i really like kirk hammet's moves on stage, hes like always waving, nodding, smiling, screaming and doing other stuff, i htink that its all about looking like you are enjoying it and enjoying, it other than that i dont know drink some beers and then you wont be as tight

 

[Psychotic_Hell]

How long is your hair?

Just put one foot on a monitor, lower your head and play the living crud out of the bass. In times of 'Uber Metalness' chuck in a slight head bang.
Heck it works for Doom metal

 

[calcuttalowend]

+1 on liquid courage if you're the type of guy that doesn't show the crowd you're feeling the music, which itself is a prerequisite...